Members of the Shuswap Hospital Foundation know the numbers are big, but they also know area residents have always been generous.
The goal for this year’s fall campaign is $250,000, with $112,000 of that dedicated to renovating the ICU and the chemotherapy units at Shuswap Lake General Hospital.
The intensive care unit provides urgent care annually to more than 1,000 patients and is itself in need of treatment.
The chemo area serves more than 800 patients a year, with many often receiving their treatment in the hallway due to a lack of space.
With backing from the always generous community, the foundation plans to create ICU and chemo areas that make life easier for both patients and health-care staff.
Renovations to the chemo room will cost $38,000 with another $74,000 needed to upgrade ICU.
In addition to cosmetic changes such as painting and upgrading of electrical and lighting, improvements to ICU will create better workflow and increased patient confidentiality.
Moving walls and relocating the nurses’ station will allow the addition of two more treatment chairs in the chemo area.
“Because of the community we live in, we can do some great things for health care,” says foundation president Doug Murray, who points out governments cannot possibly carry the financial burden of providing everything, and people have to choose between higher taxes or contributing voluntarily.
“And anytime we can find some way to keep more people having service here, it not only improves our quality of life, but we have the professionals here as well.”
Some of the items on the foundation’s Committed Funding list have already been funded. They include $15,000 to renovate the Community Care Clinic; a $22,000 fetal monitor; $1,800 in equipment for Harmony Haven; a hypo/hyperthermic system worth $10,000 and an $8,000 plasma thawing system.
As well as the chemo and ICU upgrades, the foundation is looking to find funding for the following items: $18,137 for an ECG machine; $55,530 for a post anaesthetic patient monitor; $13,750 for the addition of a sacred space, $65,000 for a steam sterilizer and $61,000 for a Vitors 350 chemistry system.
The foundation kicked off this year’s campaign at the Mall at Piccadilly on Nov. 12 with several sizeable donations.
The now disbanded Lions Club handed over $10,750 from the proceeds of the sale of a building in Canoe and Browne Johnson Surveyors added the $750 cost of a survey of the building done prior to sale.
“The $10,000 took them over the top of the (50,000) patron level, which means that over the years they have contributed more than $50,000,” says Fiona Harris, the foundation’s director of development.
Chadalin Medi Spa owner Linda Benter donated just over $1,200 that came from proceeds of an event that provided chemo patients with various spa treatments. pointing out $75,000 has already been donated.
“The generosity of our amazing donors helps to fund the purchase of much-needed equipment and health care priorities,” she says, noting $75,000 for this year’s campaign has already been raised. “This truly does make a difference in ensuring the best in patient care and comfort is available right here in our community.”
Donations to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation may be made at the office in the hospital, at the kiosk in the Mall at Piccadilly or by mail to PO Box 265, Salmon Arm, V1E 4N3.