A team of 55-plus hockey players dug into their wallets and collected about $500 for a GreenLight laser at St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital.

The laser is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the enlargement of the prostate.

鈥淚t really affected a bunch of us, but we didn鈥檛 have the laser,鈥� team member Jack Adrian said with a laugh. 鈥淎nd I鈥檇 rather have the laser, let me tell ya.鈥�

Adrian has prostate cancer, but that doesn鈥檛 stop the goaltender from slapping on the pads and the skates.

One of his teammates has played hockey for several years after having a heart transplant. Another player, at the age of 85, has undergone quadruple bypass surgery.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 stop doing things, so we just keep going here,鈥� Adrian said.

According to statistics, BPH impacts one out of two men on the far side of 60. In some cases the condition can be treated with medication. Other cases require surgery that, until recently, meant a lengthy hospital stay.

GreenLight Laser Therapy has shortened the stay to an average of 6.75 hours.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fabulous treatment for people that are dealing with that medical condition,鈥� St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital Foundation executive director Lynn Dashkewytch said.

Upwards of 45 procedures have been performed since the laser was introduced at St. Joseph鈥檚. The equipment is worth nearly $200,000.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com