BARRHEAD-It is a big ask, one of the biggest in recent history, but Barrhead Healthcare Centre site manager Sherri-May Hotchkiss is confident that they can reach their goal.
This year the hospital's Tree of Hope campaign hopes to raise more than $125,000 for four cardiac monitors for the emergency department. Also included in the purchase is a central monitoring station for the nurse's station.
The campaign is used by many hospitals and health care centres across Canada to raise money for much-needed initiatives or equipment.
However, as of last year, it was decided that the healthcare centre and Barrhead Continuing Care, an extended-care seniors facility also operated by Alberta Health Services, would effectively share the campaign, alternating years.
"We want the funds raised from the campaigns to stay in the community," Hotchkiss said. "And the need is right across healthcare."
As for what the campaign's proceeds should go towards, Hotchkiss said when looking at potential needs for the hospital, it was almost a no-brainer.
"To have the ability to utilize cardiac monitoring at the bedside ... This is truly something that will benefit a lot of people who come through our doors in the ER (emergency room)," she said, adding that currently, the ER has one cardiac monitor.
The new cardiac monitoring units will be installed at the head of each of the beds in the ER. There will also be a central monitoring unit installed at the nursing station.
"We have a similar system on the floor, so we are just mimicking it for emerg. That way, if we have more than one patient that needs cardiac monitoring we will have the ability to do it.," she said.
Admittedly having that ability does not come cheap. The estimated cost of each monitor is just over $25,000.
To donate, people can buy a light bulb for $10. As bulbs are purchased, more strings of lights will be added to the Tree of Hope. Ornaments for the tree are available for donations of $250.
People can also purchase three levels of stars, bronze, silver and gold for donations of $500, $1,000 and $2,500, respectively. The name of each contributor will also be prominently displayed on the Tree of Hope in the hospital's admitting area as well as through the Town and Country This Week. The campaign will run until Feb. 5, 2022.
Due to the pandemic, people are asked not to drop their donations in person but rather mail them to the Barrhead Healthcare Centre at 4815-51 Avenue, Barrhead AB, T7N 1M1. Cheques should be made out to the Barrhead Healthcare Auxillary with Tree of Hope written in the subject or memo line.
"We know it is a lofty goal, but even if we can get halfway and we can only get halfway and can only buy two monitors, it is still a vast improvement over what we have now," Hotchkiss said, adding she was confident that they could reach their goal. "This is an exciting opportunity for you to support your local community hospital. Your generous gift will greatly increase the well-being of the patients in our hospital."
For more information, contact Hotchkiss at 780-305-3341 or Starlla Busch at 780-305-3324.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
