For Immediate Release, May 16, 2023

At Spring Fling 2023, presented by Syncrude, the Northern Lights Health Foundation gave the guests a fresh look at healthcare in our region and raised over  $255,000 for new projects!

The Health Showcase presented by ATB, featured innovative technology for increased patient care in the hospital, public health, and seniors and homecare settings. Representatives from Alberta Health Services were on hand to describe the impact of donor support to advancing their program areas and putting great tools and technology into caregivers’ hands.

Of special interest to everyone was the ‘floating OR’ presented by the Tuccaro Group featuring the innovative technology in use in the Orthopedic Surgery operating rooms for the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body’s musculoskeletal system. This complex system, which includes your bones,  joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, allows you to move, work, and be active. Donor contributions have helped build a robust ortho program at the  Northern Lights Health Centre which has attracted 3 new orthopedic surgeons and will soon launch a hip and knee replacement program.

Spring Fling is the Health Foundation’s opportunity to showcase completed, current, and future projects funded by sponsors and donors. Guests were delighted to learn that the fundraising goal of $500,000 has been achieved for the construction of two new therapy spaces to support children’s mental health – the Sentopia Centre presented by Syncrude, and the Synergy Hub presented by CNOOC International. Also announced was $500,000 in funding from Syncrude to support the Better Together Indigenous Health project launched last fall. The goal of this project is to understand the current health care service demand and discover where we can improve and enhance service delivery for Indigenous patients.

The Northern Lights Health Foundation announced a new partnership with the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support local cancer treatment at the Fort McMurray Cancer Centre, and to support the replacement of the mobile breast cancer screening units which provide screening in 120 communities, including 26 Indigenous communities, throughout rural Alberta. Guests who donated in support of these initiatives received a puzzle piece to help complete the giant puzzle.

The excitement of the Spring Fling Mediterranean garden party extended to the highly anticipated live auction. The Vespa Touring scooter, presented by Summit GM, was a highlight of the bidding action and raised a remarkable $17,000. Other auction packages, including a trip to Montreal, custom jewellery package, a decadent chef dinner, a Truth and Reconciliation workshop, and an extensive outdoor adventure package, collectively raised over $66,000.

Throughout the night guests played Carpet Curling and Cornhole to secure the grand prizes. And guests loved the Get Corked! Wine Pull featuring fabulous wines and terrific gift packages. The photo booth was active as guests captured their Spring Fling looks against Mediterranean backdrops. The online Blooming 50/50 raffle raised $8,820 with the winner (ticket number: D5889) taking $4,410.

“Spring Fling is such a delightful event and so well supported by sponsors and guests. It gives us the opportunity to showcase how donor contributions make a huge impact in supporting the innovative and compassionate work of local healthcare providers,” said Cindy Amerongen, Executive Director of the Northern Lights Health Foundation. “Thank you to everyone who sponsored, purchased tickets, made a donation or volunteered to make this event special and successful.”

For further information on the Spring Fling 2023 event, please follow the Health Foundation social media pages. We also invite you to get your team ready and registered for the Hospital Bed Races coming Saturday, September 23, 2023.