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Fort McMurray, Alberta – The Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that John and Leslie Wilson have made a $500,000 gift to the Gratitude Campaign. The funds will support the Minimally Invasive Surgical Suites (MIS) Project, which encompasses the addition of four MIS Suites and upgrades to two additional surgical suites at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. On Monday, May 2, 2016 at 10 a.m., the Health Foundation will host a gift announcement in the lobby of the Health Centre.
“John and Leslie are longtime residents of Wood Buffalo and during their time in the region, have demonstrated a true commitment to health and wellness in our community,” said Melanie Antoine, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of Directors. “From the bottom of our hearts, we thank John, Leslie and their family for supporting the critically needed MIS Suites Project.”
The Health Centre is currently the only regional hospital in Alberta without MIS Suites. The addition of these four technically advanced Suites will provide surgeons the space and equipment necessary to perform procedures less invasively, leading to faster patient recovery times and decreased length of hospital stays. The new Suites will also provide surgeons the ability to video and teleconference during procedures with other health care providers virtually anywhere in the world. The project also includes upgrades to lighting in two existing surgical suites, including a dedicated suite to caesarean sections. Upon completion of the project, the caesarean section suite will be named after John and Leslie.
“Leslie and I are pleased to participate in the Gratitude Campaign in support of the surgical suites project at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. We recognize the significant needs in the community for all forms of health care and these needs continue to grow,” said John Wilson. “The Health Centre played a significant role in our lives over our 35 years in Fort McMurray. Our children were all born there and received all forms of care as they were growing up. As an employer, my many employees and their families received care and attention of the Health Centre as well. We hope this contribution will make a meaningful difference in the community. We wish the Health Centre success in completing this very worthwhile project.”
Business leaders and philanthropists, John and Leslie have personally contributed over $550,000 to the Health Foundation. In addition to their personal contributions, they invested over $173,800 into local health care while H. Wilson Industries Ltd. was under their ownership. They are passionate volunteers of the Health Foundation, serving as honourary board members and Leslie previously serving on the Festival of Trees Planning Committee.
About the Northern Lights Health Foundation
Established in 1985, the Northern Lights Health Foundation exists to provide funds to support health care priorities within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The Health Foundation is proudly accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. For more information, visit www.northernlightshealthfoundation.ca.
About The Gratitude Campaign
The $16 million Gratitude Campaign is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the history of the Northern Lights Health Foundation. The Campaign is comprised of eight projects: Minimally Invasive Surgical Suites, the Multi-purpose Clinic, Palliative Care, Community Clinics, Health Centre Lobby, the Healthy Schools Initiative, Continuing Care and the Early Investments Project. For more information, visit www.gratitudecampaign.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Amelia Schofield
Stakeholder Relations and Communications Officer
Northern Lights Health Foundation
Tel: 780-788-1324 Cell: 780-788-5247 Email: amelia.schofield@albertahealthservices.ca
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