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Why Fundraising is More About the Dance, Than About the Music

Feb 7, 2017 | 9:30 AM

This spring marks 3 years since I was invited by the VHF Board to help lead our fine organization, and it wasn’t without some trepidation.

I faced new faces in the fundraising process, new challenges in building support throughout the community, and new, ambitious and worthy goals to meet in ensuring that our patients received the finest medical care and attention.

But as with any new exchange, we step out onto the dance floor, we read the intentions in each other’s expressions, and we adjust to the pace and tempo of the music chosen for us. Looking back, I realize that I have been blessed with the strongest sources of inspiration in the simple, humble sacrifices and dedication that our men and women in this hospital have brought with them. Ours is a uniquely shared vision of caring that resonates deeply within me every day that I walk through these halls and see the vital work carried out.

Fundraising isn’t easy work. Today’s economy and pressing social issues have forced us to pause once more to reflect with meaning, upon our mission: to build awareness of and inspire investment in the local health care and wellbeing of the people of Prince Albert and surrounding communities.

Our Foundation seeks to build partnerships, create bridges, find ways to engage outside of politics and look to the past for inspiration. Over the last three years, our Foundation has grown immensely. Not in size (we still have only 3 staff!) but in capacity and reach. We are creating new and lasting bonds with donors, we have welcomed an entire community of doctors into our philanthropic circle and we have introduced stronger operating policies and procedures to assist us in this growth phase.

We have deliberately reached out to areas of our Hospital that have never before received support, such as Mental Health, our Therapies department and our residents at Herb Bassett Home. Since 2014 our Foundation has contributed $1.8 million toward vital medical equipment and programs.

While we are proud to report these achievements, we are wholeheartedly humbled. Without the commitment and generosity of those who give to their hospital, none of the above would be accomplished.

Every day I see things with my own eyes in our hospital that galvanizes me to work harder. Each time I see a nurse advocate for their patient and anticipate their needs, I become re-energized. When we heard how our ER doctors performed manual CPR for 3 straight hours to revive and rescue a patient, it impassioned us. When we received a memorial gift from someone who had just come to terms with goodbye, we were honoured and inspired. All of you, is why we do what we do. And without you, where would we be?

From every single patient who comes to our hospital for help, thank you.