Southcoast Health’s Pediatrics Program Receives Major Donation from Friends of Jack Foundation

Recently, Southcoast Health and Friends of Jack Foundation leadership gathered at St. Luke’s Hospital to celebrate the Foundation’s donation to acquire a video electroencephalography (EEG) camera and a nitrous oxide machine for Southcoast Health Pediatrics.

“We are so grateful to the Friends of Jack Foundation for enabling us to acquire these essential technologies specifically for our youngest patients,” said Brian Sard, MD, Medical Director of Pediatric Services at Southcoast Health. “With the new pediatric EEG camera, Southcoast Health is now the only system in the region to offer video-assisted diagnosis and monitoring of epilepsy and other brain disorders. The nitrous oxide machine will reduce discomfort for children during painful procedures such as IV starts, abscess drainage and laceration repair.”

Southcoast Health and the Friends of Jack Foundation have been close partners since the New Bedford-based non-profit was established in 2019. The Friends of Jack Foundation was started by Jill Fearons to honor her son Jack’s remarkable medical journey. Jack, who is now 13 years old, was at one point on life support for six weeks and given a five percent chance of survival.

Doctors and staff at St. Luke’s Hospital played a key role in Jack’s care and subsequent recovery. Through their Foundation, the Fearons aim to bring the same opportunities that their family was afforded to those in Greater New Bedford, especially families in need.

“My family and I saw firsthand how important it is to have specialized medical equipment for children when my son was being treated at St. Luke’s Hospital,” said Fearons. “It is truly meaningful to be able to support Southcoast Health Pediatrics in delivering specialized, comprehensive care to their patients.”