Tracey Gutierrez, critical care nurse at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) shares thanks to the community for donations received during the GBGH Foundation’s Kickstart Your Heart campaign.
From February 1-14, 2023, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation, in partnership with Bell Media’s Pure Country 106 and Bounce 104.1, raised $114,277 during the Kickstart Your Heart campaign. Conrad and Donna Huber generously offered a match gift of $25,000, which inspired more than 70 individuals to join them in helping to purchase cardiac monitors and ECG machines for the Midland hospital. Local couple, Steve & Brenda, also made a generous contribution of $15,000 at the 11th hour on Valentine’s Day to reach the $100,000 goal.
“Providing our community with life-saving care requires us to have access to modern equipment,” says Dr. Andrea Jones, emergency physician, GBGH. “ECG machines are used every day, in all areas of the hospital where we have patients. An ECG shows us how the electrical system of the heart is working at any one time, so we can plan our treatment. Thank you to everyone who supported Kickstart Your Heart to help update this essential technology.”
On-air support from local radio stations, Pure Country 106 and Bounce 104.1, helped to engage the community, boosting donations and also helping to promote the many local businesses who participated through the Foundation’s Business Cares program.
“We were excited to have fourteen local businesses do a promotion to benefit Kickstart Your Heart,” shares Victoria Evans, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation. “Whether it was a portion of proceeds from an item or service, they all showed such generosity, and collectively raised more than $13,000! Our sincere thanks to MegaMindful Living, The Boathouse Eatery, Pier 21 Restaurant, Rooted Café, Coxworth & Associates, Grange of Prince Edward Winery, Arbour’s Flower Shoppe, Janice Stone Life Coach, The Happy Pineapple Boutique, Medical Aesthetics by Vee, Sweet Treats Factory, The Pulse Nutrition, Georgian Bakery and Royal Tea on King.”
In its first two years, the Kickstart Your Heart campaign raised more than $300,000 to replace all the defibrillators and crash carts at GBGH. The annual February campaign is generously supported by Conrad & Donna Huber, with a focus on raising funds for equipment used to assess, diagnose and stabilize patients experiencing chest pains or cardiac issues.
To learn more about the critical need to replace outdated equipment and technology at Georgian Bay General Hospital, click here.