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#C02Monitors4GBGH raises $36,960 on GivingTuesday

From left: Jennifer Lalonde, Lindsay MacDonald, Becky Rawn and Theresa Hartley, Ambulatory Care Team, Georgian Bay General Hospital.

On Tuesday, December 1^st, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation launched a GivingTuesday campaign to purchase 2 End Tidal C02 Monitors ($16,000 each).  Used during routine procedures – such as a colonoscopy – the monitors ensure patients are breathing properly during an anesthetic.

Thanks to more than 110 individual donors, and a matching gift of $10,000 from Nick & Marina Boudouris (owners of OPA Catering, the World Famous Dock Lunch, Pier 21 and operators of Restaurant Sainte-Marie), a total of $36,960 was raised in just 24 hours.

“We are humbled by the continued generosity of our community,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “These monitors are so important for the peace of mind for our staff and patients, and we are grateful that so many people chose to positively impact local healthcare through this campaign.”

The current vital signs monitors at GBGH are great for most situations in the hospital, but the specialty End Tidal C02 Monitors provide an increased level of safety.  They alert the care team to any breathing complications so that they can intervene quickly.

“As a recent surgical patient, it struck me how important this would be for patient and family assurance while you or your loved one is ‘under’,” shares donor Elyse Rousseau. “I would want this level of assurance for myself, my family and anyone else who has to undergo a surgical procedure, so that is what inspired me to donate.”

While GivingTuesday is now over, those interested in supporting other critical needs at GBGH can make a gift to the GBGH Foundation holiday campaign.  More information can be found here: https://gbghf.ca/holiday/

Honour a loved one on the GBGH holiday tree!

On November 16, 2020, the GBGH Foundation kicked off their annual holiday campaign, giving local businesses, individuals and organizations the opportunity to honour loved ones on a festive tree in the hospital’s main lobby.  Tributes, accompanied by a donation of any amount, will be recognized on heart ornaments on the tree, and shared with the community through weekly social media posts.

This year’s campaign also features the heartwarming story of Michael Thor, a local resident who received life-saving surgery at GBGH.  Michael’s story, including a video produced by Larche, can be found here.

“Our hospital cares about us and in return, we really need to care about our hospital,” shares Michael Thor.  “I was lucky to have the care and surgery I needed within my community.  I encourage everyone to get involved – in any way they can – to help our hospital.  You never know when you or a loved one will need it.”

“GBGH is the heart of our community, especially this year,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “We have spoken to many individuals and businesses who just want to give back this year. The holiday tree is a meaningful way to support the community, and pay tribute to loved ones, both in our lives and in our hearts.”

The campaign is especially critical this year as COVID-19 pandemic preparedness has already cost the hospital more than half a million dollars in equipment alone. This has put tremendous strain on the hospital’s capital budget, as the list of desperately needed upgrades continues to grow.  Funds raised from the holiday campaign will fund equipment and technology that our frontline caregivers need, such as defibrillators, BiPap ventilators and the implementation of an electronic patient medical record.

Those wishing to honour a loved one, or make a donation to support the hospital, can click here.