Why Do We Fundraise for Our Hospital?

Fundraising for hospitals is not a new concept.

As early as 1899, the Victoria Hospital of Prince Albert opened through the fundraising efforts of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Hospital Aid who raised $1,244.72 with an additional $500 contributed by the town council.

Today, capital projects are funded differently than a hospital’s operating costs, which are the costs needed to operate the hospital such as providing medical care, medications or surgical medical technology. Unlike operating costs, which are almost entirely financed through government payments, capital costs are funded from a mixture of sources.

Our foundation was born when a group of passionate individuals responded to the call from the provincial government for communities to provide 20% of hospital capital expenditures. Our continual goal is to raise funds for medical equipment that needs to be upgraded or replaced for physicians and health care workers, at the Victoria Regional Hospital to perform at their best. 

Investment in health care infrastructure is important to maintain a safe physical environment and to allow clinicians and patients access to new and effective technologies – regardless of the source of investment.  Hospitals rely on a variety of methods (such as parking fees or renting out available space) to generate the funds needed to pay for equipment and their share of construction costs. But the bulk of this responsibility typically falls to a hospital’s foundation, which works within their community to raise the necessary funds through individual and corporate donations.

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Philanthropic donations are increasingly becoming a vital source of funding for almost every hospital in Canada.  However, hospital foundations face some challenges:

• Rural communities without local industry or ties to wealthy philanthropists tend to struggle more than their urban counterparts.
• Donor fatigue or exhausting our community’s giving capacity becomes an issue after a number of years.
• Rural communities often tend to donate to larger national charities such as the Canadian Cancer Society or the Arthritis Society rather than local charitable causes.

Imagine a world where the need for a hospital foundation would be unnecessary – where literally every single item and/or program our community wanted would be paid for by the government.

What utopia!  But would it be? 

Logic tells me that a community will always have a need, a desire to acquire a new piece of technology or program. Where would we draw the line? For now, we must work with what we have and be grateful.

We are lucky to live in Canada, where universal healthcare ensures Canadians have access to healthcare when they really need it. I have friends in the United States with outstanding ‘invoices’ after giving birth to their child at their local hospital.

Going ‘the Extra Mile’ to fundraise to enhance our local healthcare, while a point of controversy for some, is part of life and a social responsibility. 

But as long as the need exists, the Foundation and our community supporters will be there to help.   As a result, we will be stronger.   The people of Prince Albert and region enjoy strong sense self-reliance through their local access to high quality health care, medical facilities and health care professional teams. 

The Foundation as a Registered Charity maintains a staffed office to carry out policies developed by the board to fulfill its mandate to build and strengthen relationships with its donors, maintain and grow our reputation of integrity and trust, and continue to enhance and enrich the quality of healthcare at the Victoria Regional Hospital.  

Is there anything more important than our local hospital when it comes to the safety and well-being of our friends and family?

Stay tuned for next month’s question and answer!

Have a question?  Want to find out about upcoming events and news?  Contact us at:

www.helpthevic.ca

vhfoundation@paphr.sk.ca

(306)765-6105 phone