The Shuswap Hospital Foundation launched their annual fundraising campaign Monday, hoping they will receive the same community support as other years.
The foundation’s Christmas wish list of top-priority items is in the neighbourhood of $218,000 and includes $35,000 for the completion of a Panda warmer for newborn infants, a $40,000 portable ventilator that will provide short-term support to patients suffering from certain lung diseases or for patients experiencing difficulties following anaesthesia, a $21,000 fetal monitor, a $22,000 ECG machine and $100,000 worth of endoscopes.
This past year, with generous support from the community, the foundation was able to provide two microscopes with cameras for the lab for $22,000, a $39,000 vein viewer. two bladder scanners to the tune of $27,200, a $13,200 bariatric hygiene chair, a $35,000 bariatric bed, a $22,200 bariatric lift and $8,500 for “yellowfin stirrups.”
“Like other hospital foundations, our role today is increasingly more significant, as health-care costs rise and the demands on the system grow, along with population and demographic changes in the area,” notes the foundation’s website. “There is an increasing reliance on the generosity of the citizens and business leaders of our community to maintain the highest standards of health care in our region.”
There are many ways to help meet the foundation’s fundraising goals – donate online, make a pledge, by cheque, deferred gifts, bequests trust or gift annuity, or gifts of life insurance.
But the foundation is hoping donors will direct their donations to the legacy fund.
“Up until about three years ago foundations had to spend whatever they got in a year,” says Duncan Myers, development co-ordinator, noting the new fund allows the foundation to build up reserves. “We want to have a pot of money so we can pay for things when we need them.”
Myers says that in the last year alone, the legacy fund has grown to just over $100,000.
“But we want to have at least $1 million in the fund because we’re spending half a million just on things that are needed every year,” Myers says. “By going into the legacy fund, it’s still going to priority funds and donors can take advantage of immediate tax credits.”
Myers points out that the same immediate tax credits are available through donation of an insurance policy, shares, a bequest or RRSP.
“Not only can such a donation benefit a person’s estate, but by naming the foundation as beneficiary they get additional tax savings and recognition in perpetuity,” Myers says. “And the beauty is, they can get the credits now.”
At the helm of the foundation is a support staff of two, who assist the 15-member, volunteer board of directors in the day to day operations of the foundation.
The foundation office is located within the hospital just past the main entrance. For more information, visit www.shuswaphospitalfoundation.org or call 250-803-4546.