Foundation kicks off month-long campaign to improve care for critically ill children in our community
May 1st marked the launch of the VJH Foundation’s annual spring fundraising campaign. This year, the Foundation is raising funds for two additional monitoring systems to increase the number of high-acuity beds available in the pediatric ward.
Between 2022/23, pediatric admissions to VJH grew by 9%, with conditions related to ear, nose and throat and respiratory disease among the leading causes of hospitalization. We’ve not only continued to see a rise in pediatric admission rates, but also a rise in more serious conditions. Our high-acuity pediatric beds are at max capacity.
With centralized monitoring, pediatric patients can be hooked up to a monitor in their very own room, with the results displayed 24/7 in a highly visible, centralized location for immediate access by their care team.
“Many children are too young to express what or how they are feeling,” says Dr. Kathryn MacKinlay, a pediatrician at VJH. “Centralized monitors make sure our medical team is alerted the second the child’s heart rate or breathing changes.”
With new monitors, staff can keep watch over the patient’s respirations, oxygenation, and cardiac status 24/7 and are alerted the second something changes. This means enhanced patient safety and increased peace of mind for parents and family members knowing that their children are being continually observed.
The total cost of the equipment, plus installation, is $85,000. All gifts made in support of the campaign throughout the month of May will be doubled, up to $20,000, thanks to the generosity of a local anonymous donor.
Tim Hortons Smile Cookies
The Foundation got a sweet start to its fundraising with 100% of all proceeds from Smile Cookies (sold between April 29 to May 5) by Tim Hortons in Vernon and Lumby going towards the spring campaign. Foundation volunteers came out in droves to help put the smiles on the delicious confetti cookies. We can’t wait to hear how much the Smile Cookies raised!
PURE Country Radiothon – May 31, 2004
On Thursday, May 31, tune in from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the Pure Country team for the 21st annual Have A Heart Radiothon. As in past years, all funds raised through Radiothon will support the Foundation to purchase much needed equipment to care for our communities’ sickest kids.
“We want to ensure that every child in the North Okanagan gets the best care, as close to home as possible,” says Kate McBrearty, Executive Director of the VJH Foundation. “Whenever we ask, our community blows us away with its support. With Smile Cookies, Radiothon and a matching donor to launch us into May, we can’t wait to see the impact the campaign will have.”
To donate, please visit www.vjhfoundation.org/springcampaign