In just over a month East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) will launch its eighth annual Starlite Campaign. And as in year’s past some donations are already arriving at the foundation.

The latest gift that will light a large star atop the regional hospital roofline is going to benefit the emergency department at the Sparwood Health Centre. The $5,000 gift comes from the Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society that manages its second-hand store located in Sparwood.

Volunteer manager Katrin Taylor shares that since 2014 the “Shop” as it is known has donated over $120,000 to various causes including elementary schools, senior’s homes, scholarships, club, food banks and families. This latest donation will now impact community health care with the funds being dedicated to purchase a non-invasive ventilator for the emergency department.

This BiPAP machine will be used in the Sparwood Emergency Department for critically ill or injured patients that have difficulty maintaining their own airway. The BiPAP machine complements the patient’s own respiratory cycle, optimising the lungs’ efficiency and reducing the work of breathing in respiratory insufficiency or respiratory failure.

Essentially the machine will breath for the patient at the correct rate, volume and pressure when the patient is suffering from severe acute respiratory distress related to conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and trauma.

“EKFH is very pleased to have been selected to steward the Elk Valley Thrift Shop’s gift. This star that the gift will ignite takes on special significance as it recognizes the beauty of this gift but also identifies that gift giving through EKFH can be done to support hospital and health care facilities in your community,” explained Donna Grainger, EKFH Executive Director.

This year’s Starlite Campaign remains focused on raising funds for regional and community health programs.  These programs are dedicated to helping those with arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory needs, and more or may require help with chronic disease management, home nursing, in-home oxygen, wound, senior, pediatric and self-care programs.  More often than not these programs have smaller equipment needs. However, the impact those pieces of equipment and patient education tools can deliver through these programs in every community in the East Kootenay can often help people who wouldn’t have had anywhere else to turn to for assistance.

To make a personal donation to the Starlite Campaign drop by your local hospital and health care facility, make a secured on-line donation through www.ekfh.ca or send by Canada Post to EKFH, 13 24th Ave N, Cranbrook, BC V1C 3H9.

To learn more about the work of both EKFH and the Elk Valley Thrift Shop – like us on Facebook.  Additional questions… don’t hesitate to contact our office toll-free at 1-877-489-6481 or 250 489-6481.

Above photo:  EKFH’s Donna Grainger & Patricia Whalen join with Interior Health’s Janice Talarico & Leala Tomlinson to accept a Starlite donation from Gaby Godin & Katrin Taylor of the Elk Valley Thrift Shop.

EKFH

---

Article Share

---