Lab Stainers for Cancer Diagnostics
5
The laboratory plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients at Niagara Health, although the work often takes place behind the scenes.
Earlier this year, Niagara Health Foundation donors raised $379,730 for the purchase of two state-of-the-art Immunohistochemistry Stainers, which are an important tool for diagnosing cancer.
Whenever a physician orders a biopsy, the sample goes to the laboratory, where the stainer helps the pathologist see abnormalities in the tissue. Sheila Martel, Senior Registered Technologist, was among the first team members trained to use the new device.
“By applying dye to the samples, the stainer helps identify certain biomarkers. The pathologist then uses that information to diagnose specific types of cancer,” she explains. “It can also inform which course of treatment the patient will best respond to.”
The new device has faster processing, reducing the time it takes to deliver the answers patients are looking for. 
“Everybody has been touched by cancer,” Sheila says. “We want to do what we can to reduce the time people spend waiting for results and answers. Even the smallest time savings here in the lab have a ripple effect. The sooner an oncologist receives the lab report, the sooner treatment can begin. That is why this equipment purchase matters.”
Vani Vyas, Charge Technologist, agrees. “We process approximately 150 samples a day. Having the stainer in-house has a remarkable impact on our turnaround time and, by extension, on patients. Beyond our team’s gratitude, I know patients are grateful as well.”
Patient care and providing people with answers during difficult times is at the heart of their work, Sheila and Vani explain.
“We want to thank Niagara Health Foundation donors for making a difference in people’s lives.”
Lab Stainers for Cancer Diagnostics
The laboratory plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients at Niagara Health, although the work often takes place behind the scenes.
Earlier this year, Niagara Health Foundation donors raised $379,730 for the purchase of two state-of-the-art Immunohistochemistry Stainers, which are an important tool for diagnosing cancer.
Whenever a physician orders a biopsy, the sample goes to the laboratory, where the stainer helps the pathologist see abnormalities in the tissue. Sheila Martel, Senior Registered Technologist, was among the first team members trained to use the new device.
“By applying dye to the samples, the stainer helps identify certain biomarkers. The pathologist then uses that information to diagnose specific types of cancer,” she explains. “It can also inform which course of treatment the patient will best respond to.”
The new device has faster processing, reducing the time it takes to deliver the answers patients are looking for.
“Everybody has been touched by cancer,” Sheila says. “We want to do what we can to reduce the time people spend waiting for results and answers. Even the smallest time savings here in the lab have a ripple effect. The sooner an oncologist receives the lab report, the sooner treatment can begin. That is why this equipment purchase matters.”
Vani Vyas, Charge Technologist, agrees. “We process approximately 150 samples a day. Having the stainer in-house has a remarkable impact on our turnaround time and, by extension, on patients. Beyond our team’s gratitude, I know patients are grateful as well.”
Patient care and providing people with answers during difficult times is at the heart of their work, Sheila and Vani explain.
“We want to thank Niagara Health Foundation donors for making a difference in people’s lives.”
