The St. Paul & District Hospital Foundation is setting its sights high for this year's edition of the hospital fundraiser, set to take place on March 2.
A list of equipment the foundation would like to purchase has been made, totalling $124,000.
"We have a monumental task ahead of us," concedes Noreen Brousseau, chair of the hospital foundation.
But if the foundation's track record says anything about the organization, then achieving that $124,000 goal isn't so far fetched. Over the past two decades, the foundation has raised over $1 million. That $1 million milestone was reached following the 2018 fundraiser.
And while the foundation certainly reaches out to local businesses for support, foundation members want to be clear that anyone and everyone is invited to donate to the cause, whether it be through the donation of items to auctions, through purchasing those items on March 2, or simply supporting the event by attending it and donating funds.
This year, the foundation will be raising funds to purchase a few items meant to specifically enhance care of some of the hospital's youngest patients. On the top of the list is a new fetal monitor for the emergency department, valued at $29,000; a Giraffe Isolette, which is used for distressed newborns and newborns receiving phototherapy, valued at $35,000; and two Billisoft phototherapy systems, valued at $13,000.
The Billisoft phototherapy systems allow for new moms to hold their newborns while therapy for jaundice is taking place.
And while those are the priority items, the list of items the foundation would like to purchase also includes two low rise beds for long-term care, valued at $24,000; three sit stand lifts for long-term care, valued at $19,500; and five bariatric chairs for the waiting room, valued at $4,010.
The St. Paul hospital serves an area with an estimated population of 15,800 people.
Tickets for the fundraiser on March 2 are available, as of Jan. 15. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact Julie Manard at the St. Paul Healthcare Centre administration office.
This year's entertainment on March 2 will feature the improv group called Don't Mind Us. Mark Schweighardt and Lee Bells make up the Canadian comedic duo.
According to information on their website, "Audiences love Don’t Mind Us Comedy for their improvised and spontaneous comedy; their intelligent, tasteful style; their interaction with audience members; and their excellent ability to customize and tailor their show to the group they are performing for."
Tickets for the fundraiser are $60 each, or $480 for a table of eight. The deadline for ticket sales is Feb. 22.
Bariatric Bed
Last week, a couple of the foundation members gathered with hospital staff to see one of the healthcare centre's newest pieces of equipment, funded by the foundation - a bariatric bed. The bed has a $45,000 price tag, but according to Laura Onischuk, head nurse on second floor at the hospital, it is worth every penny.
"The bed has more bells and whistles than we thought," she says. She explains that the bed is made specifically for larger patients, and even has a minimum weight requirement on it. The bed can widen and also be made taller if needed, to accommodate patients and offer them comfort when seeking care at the hospital.
The bed is also a bonus for staff since there are features that allow for patient and staff safety. She notes that prior to the purchase of the bed, when a larger patient arrived in St. Paul, the hospital would have to contact the Elk Point hospital and put in a requisition to borrow its bariatric bed.
Onischuk offered many thanks to the foundation for purchasing the bed.
