VJH Foundation Launches 30th Annual Light a Bulb Campaign

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation launched its 30th annual Light a Bulb Campaign today at Vernon Jubilee Hospital with a goal of $250,000 for critical equipment at VJH.

Endoscopes are urgently required by physicians and medical staff in the Ambulatory Care Unit. The scopes are diagnostic tools featuring exceptional clarity in imaging and can detect early cancers and other life threatening illnesses.

“Each year more than 5,000 patients in the North Okanagan undergo endoscopic diagnostic testing in our Ambulatory Care Unit at VJH,” said Dr. Curtis Mohamed (pictured above), 2017 Light a Bulb Chair.

“Half of the patients we scope in the provincial colon screening program have polyps removed. These are small tumours that can turn to cancer,” said Dr. Hamish Hwang, VJH General Surgeon. “By removing these polyps, we prevent hundreds of people in our community from getting colorectal cancer every year.”

The official campaign launch takes place Monday, November 13 with the lighting of the hospital tree on top of VJH. The bulbs will shine all week, then will be turned off and lit throughout the campaign in stages as the Foundation advances towards its goal.

From November 13 to 20 Light a Bulb donation brochures will be delivered in mailboxes throughout the North Okanagan.

Businesses, schools, clubs or organizations wishing to support Light a Bulb through their own special fundraising events are encouraged to contact the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation office at 250-558-1362.

Since 1988, Light a Bulb has raised more than $4.5 million to purchase essential medical equipment for the hospital. Each $35 tax deductible gift will light one bulb on the tree of lights a top Vernon Jubilee Hospital; $500 will light an entire string. Every gift great or small brings us closer to our goal.

Donations can be made online or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, 2101 – 32nd Street Vernon BC V1T 5L2.