Northern Lights Health Foundation announces support for the Gratitude Campaign

Fort McMurray, Alberta – The Northern Lights Health Foundation is excited to announce a $3,000,000 donation from Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation to the Gratitude Campaign. This major investment in advancing health care in our region will enable two of the largest projects of the Gratitude Campaign; the creation of Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) Suites, and the renovation of the Northern Lights Health Centre Lobby.

In recognition of their generosity, the Health Centre lobby will henceforth be known as the Suncor Heart of Health Lobby. The lobby is the first place a patient or their family sees and can provide a supportive environment that promotes healing. The care, comfort and safety of our patients and their loved ones are at the core of all that Alberta Health Services and the Health Foundation do. The refurbished and renovated lobby will include improved lighting, more seating and power stations for electronics, handicapped accessible washrooms, and wayfinding to direct individuals to various areas of the facility. When completed, the lobby will reflect our Indigenous and multi-cultural communities.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Northern Lights Health Foundation, I would like to offer sincere thanks to Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation for bringing the campaign close to completion with this donation,” said Melanie Antoine, Chair of the Health Foundation Board of Directors. ”This is the largest gift the Health Foundation has ever received and reflects Suncor’s dedication to collaborating on innovative projects that make our region sustainable. Their generous support will make a significant and lasting improvement to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre that will benefit patients for years to come.”

The $7.6 million dollar MIS project will upgrade four of the current operating rooms into state-of-the-art operating theatres that will attract highly skilled surgeons to the region and create an optimal operating environment for staff and patients. This technology allows surgeons to be precise and efficient in the surgical suite; these efficiencies could result in an additional 500 surgeries being performed every year, right here at home. In the past, large incisions were needed for many surgeries so surgeons could see – and reach – the areas being treated. Today, nearly every part of the body is reachable with minimally invasive surgery.

 “As a part of the Wood Buffalo community, we are pleased to contribute to advancing healthcare access and innovation for the region,” said Bruno Francoeur, regional operations executive, Suncor.  “Suncor has always had a strong focus on continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and creating and implementing technological advances. Like the energy industry, healthcare is a dynamic industry that has made huge leaps in innovation to improve outcomes. With this support, we hope more residents can remain in the Wood Buffalo region for needed care, and ultimately experience positive outcomes as a result.”

The Northern Lights Health Foundation Executive Director Cindy Amerongen acknowledges the significance of the donation. “Since the launch of the Gratitude Campaign we have heard time and time again from the community that nothing is more important than healthcare close to home. And healthcare at the hospital starts with a warm welcome and excellent surgical opportunities. Visionary leaders like Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation are bringing us closer to the completion of the campaign, and that means we are closer to making the Gratitude projects a reality.”

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 Gratitude Campaign is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the history of the Northern Lights Health Foundation. The Campaign is comprised of several projects including: Minimally Invasive Surgical Suites, the Multi-purpose Clinic, Palliative Care, Community Clinics, Health Centre Lobby, and  Continuing Care. For more information, visit www.gratitudecampaign.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cindy Amerongen

Executive Director

Northern Lights Health Foundation

Tel: 780-791-6178  Email: cindy.amerongen@ahs.ca