The Northern Lights Health Foundation held its annual general meeting on June 28th, during which new Board members were introduced, elections for executive roles were held, and the financial and fundraising activity highlights of the 2022–2023 year were discussed.
Under the guidance of Chair Greg Fuhr, the 2023–2024 Executive Committee is now composed of Vice-Chair Stephane Gagnon, Treasurer Denean Robinson, and Secretary Conor Clark. New members Graham Longpre, James Secord, and Denean Robinson were welcomed to the Board, joining continuing members Adele Thomson, Nelson Barbosa, Karla Buffalo, Kevin Shulko, Robyn Villebrun, Jordanna Lambert, Brent Janke, and Dr. Fauzia Haq Nawaz.
Highlights of the AGM included the 2022-2023 Audited Financial Statements which show the Health Foundation is in a strong financial position to meet its grant obligations and to support new and ongoing regional healthcare initiatives. In the 2022–2023 fiscal year, the Health Foundation contributed over $2.44m to AHS for approved and completed projects, equipment, and programs.
We were very pleased to announce two major health projects in 2022-2023 –– the Better Together Indigenous Health Project, and the creation of the Sentopia Centre and the Synergy Hub for children’s mental health therapy. Both projects are fully funded by donors and work is underway to bring those projects to completion. Throughout the year the Board approved grant requests for numerous pieces of vital equipment to enhance patient care and safety including transport chairs, bladder scanners, pendulum steppers, new software and technology to increase the capacity of the MRI machine, OBIX perinatal software to eliminate paper documentation of the electronic fetal monitoring system, Holter monitors and device recorders for ambulatory cardiac patients, and new reclining loungers for the maternity ward. We also saw the first 2 operating rooms of the Gratitude Campaign Minimally Invasive Surgery construction project completed with new surgeries being offered.
We had a very strong events fundraising year with the return to in-person events. Each of the three signature events, Spring Fling, Hospital Bed Races, and Festival of Trees, received excellent sponsorship and guest attendance and raised record-breaking revenues.
Spring Fling 2022 saw a return to the live auction, beautiful chef dinner, and lively games of previous years with a new feature, the Donor Impact Showcase, which had everyone thinking of healthcare in action. The Showcase presented technology and equipment funded by donations and event fundraising that is now in use in healthcare settings throughout the region. This area was highly interactive and included a floating operating room where guests could perform laparoscopic surgery.
The 5th annual Hospital Bed Races were held in late September with 16 teams competing for the coveted Golden Bed Pan Trophy. This event has grown into a robust day of activity and spirited racing with teams competing for bragging rights – all while wearing silly costumes and raising funds for healthcare!
In November the Health Foundation welcomed back a full lineup of Festival of Trees experiences including ticketed events – the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, the Festival Gala and Tree Auction, the Daddy Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy Ball, and craft passports for Santa’s Workshop. Christmas concerts, children’s entertainment, Storytime with Santa, Winter Wonderland and the Teddy Bear Hospital were offered to the community with a donation requested for entry. Festival of Trees saw over 175 sponsors, 300 volunteers, and 8,500 guests attend and contribute to healthcare initiatives.
The Health Foundation Board and staff offer a sincere thank you to the donors, sponsors, and volunteers who answered our calls for charitable and event support throughout the year. We cannot do the excellent work of the Health Foundation without your support so please stay engaged for the upcoming year.
