Heather Bach announces a new Health Foundation campaign in the event room at the Medicine Hat Brewing Company on Thursday morning.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Health Foundation launched the public phase of a new fundraising initiative on Thursday, one that aims to replace critical equipment that has reached the end-of-life stage at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
“We are excited to launch this cardiac campaign,” said executive director Heather Bach.
The goal of the campaign, called Seconds Save Lives, is to replace a fleet of outdated cardiac monitors, which can no longer receive replacement parts should they fail at this stage.
“They’re considered end of life, which means the supplier no longer has parts for them. They’re no longer supported by the supplier. So they’re anywhere from 15 to 20 years old,” said Bach. “If they break, or they falter, we’re down a monitor.”
The campaign’s goal is to raise $1.2 million by the end of 2024 for this purpose. Funds will also be used to purchase three new GlideScopes, an MRI-safe ventilator, a new LifePak portable defibrillator and other vital medical equipment for the hospital.
This equipment should help reduce the number of cases that need to be moved to Calgary, said Back, and help local health-care workers continue to provide quality care.
“This campaign will run probably till early 2025 and essentially include a variety of events and activities for people to be engaged in and help make those donations,” said Bach. “This campaign began June 8, when hosting the second annual Community Cares Gala and online auction.”
At that time, the foundation made history as the first ever event of its kind being held in an Alberta Health Services active hospital.
Ongoing donations and support include 50/50 raffles, charity golf tournaments and local business partnerships. Bach encourages anyone able to donate or interested in helping promote the campaign to reach out, either online or by giving them a call, to help bring this new and vital health-care equipment into the local hospital.
“We’re so grateful the community wants to help, and we hope they reach out to the foundation online, or we do love phone calls; they could even come visit because it gets lonely sometimes,” said Bach.
