Heather Bach, executive director, Medicine Hat Health Foundation announcing the launch of a fundraising campaign to replace 38 outdated cardiac monitors at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Health Foundation launches largest fundraising campaign ever

Jun 27, 2024 | 4:46 PM

The Medicine Hat Health Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at bring in $1.2 million to replace a fleet of 38 outdated cardiac monitors at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

Executive Director Heather Bach said the units are considered end of life and no longer supported by the suppliers if they break down.

A new LifePack portable defibrillator and additional items are being funded including an MRI-safe ventilator.

“It’s new to Medicine Hat, so it allows a patient in the intensive care unit on a ventilator to go to the MRI and have the procedure done without that machine,” Bach said.

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“We’re flying them to Calgary to have the procedure done and then they’ll likely stay in Calgary until they’re able to be discharged. It’ll keep more of our family and friends and neighbors close to home having that ventilator,” she added.

“That’s really what the foundation’s main point is, we want to keep our friends and our family and our neighbors close to home. So any service that we can help provide to keep them here, that’s what we’re all about.”

Bach said they are hoping to have the funding in place by the end of 2024, but campaign will run until early 2025.

Half a million dollars has been raised so far, with funding for the campaign starting with the Community Cares Gala and online auction in June hosted at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

Ongoing donations, biweekly 50/50 raffles, a charity golf tournament, and local business partnerships also supporting.

This is the foundations largest campaign to date.

Bach said other vital medical equipment will also be purchased, including three new GlideScopes.

“The GlideScopes are new state-of-the-art, they’re video and they’re better quality, they allow the nurses and doctors to see better,” Bach said.

“A GlideScope is used to intubate a patient and get that ventilator going, so they sort of all go hand-in-hand,” she added.

“If they do a GlideScope and they make a mistake, they’re hitting your vocal cords, you wake up sometimes with sore throats because it wasn’t smooth and easy, so having these video ones will allow them not to make those mistakes. It’s a new technology, better quality.”

Those looking to contribute to the campaign can reach out to the Medicine Hat Health Foundation.