At some point in their lives, everyone needs healthcare.
“For us, we really want everyone to have access to a physician. That’s another really important part of our program, is physician recruitment and retention. We just want to make sure everyone has access to a doctor. Healthcare is something that affects everybody; everyone needs it at one point in their life. I think what makes us so unique and special is this is for everyone, and it’s for our community because all of the money that’s raised stays in Cold Lake,” noted Kari Leiper, hearts coordinator for Hearts for Healthcare.
The organization hosted their 10th annual Hearts for Hospital gala at the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Saturday, May 4, with a fundraising goal of $200,000. Although they didn’t have final numbers, they were confident they went above and beyond their expectations.
The gala took place at the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Saturday, May 4.
For Jacki Cook, one of the organizers of the original gala a decade ago, it’s heartwarming to see it come so far.
“It started with some of us who didn’t have doctors. Mayor Craig Copeland approached us, he asked us if we would put on a dance… It’s such a cause that affected everyone that the event got bigger,” she expressed.
By reaching their goal this year, the gala has raised $2-million, money that goes towards doctor recruitment, healthcare equipment, and facility improvement.
Cook said, “It’s a great event because it raises money for our community, it effects everyone in the community, it’s not just for someone who unfortunately lost someone to cancer or someone who loves animals. This is something that affects everyone in one way or another, eventually they have to use our healthcare system, and unfortunately, living in a rural community, we don’t have everything that we need.”
This year, the gala was raising money for a giraffe warmer, which is an incubator for infants that provides a warm, comfortable, and developmentally supportive environment.
“What the hospital wants, is they currently have one in labour and delivery, but they would like to have one in the OR so they don’t have to wheel it from one department to another, there’s less contamination, and less risk of infection. Then they don’t have to unplug it and lose all of that data,” explained Leiper.
This year's recipient of the award for nursing excellence was Margo Van Buskirk (left). Presenting the award on behalf of Hearts for Healthcare is Kari Leiper.
During the event, MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk announced that in addition to their $10,000 donation to the gala, the municipality will be contributing $150,000 towards doctor recruitment efforts.
Mayor Craig Copeland said, “It’s unfortunate in Alberta that you have to fundraise to enhance equipment at the hospital and the doctor’s offices, but it is what it is.”
The City of Cold Lake is donating $20,000 to Hearts for Healthcare.
“Everybody coming together to try and raise money tonight, it really does go back into the hospital and the facilities and equipment,” Copeland exclaimed. “It doesn’t matter where you live, Cold Lake, St. Paul, or even Bonnyville, you’re coming here to the hospital eventually. You never want to go through those doors, but the staff at the hospital that work there, they give 110 per cent.”
