For the second straight year, the Olds Health Care Fundraising Committee (OHCFC), with help from the $100 Club, has set a goal to raise at least $300,000 to improve health care in Olds.
About 20 people were on hand as the committee made the announcement May 29 at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion branch.
OHCFC chair Liz Mills said the committee beat its goal last year, raising more than $330,000, including bequests from estates -- some as large as $100,000; so they're hopeful they can do that again.
She said 276 people donated last year, up from roughly 100.
During an interview with the Albertan, it was said that there can't be many people out there with $100,000 to donate this year.
"We'll find out, won't we? You've got to be an optimist," Mills said with a smile.
She noted the committee not only met its goal, but raised an extra money which enabled it to buy more equipment.
Mills said funds raised this year will go toward long-term care and acute care.
For long-term care, the plan is to add 12 new overhead lifts, as well as a new bathtub and chair lift. Alberta Health Services (AHS) will match that and add a second tub. Mills said that will cost $150,000 in renovations.
For acute care, the committee plans to add a new tub, six supply carts, four new overhead vital signs monitors as well as a new trimano arm for shoulder surgeries.
According to information from suppliers, a trimano arm holds the patient’s arm in position during arthroscopic or open elbow surgery. Mills pegged the cost for acute care acquisitions at $100,000.
In addition, the Olds 100 Club (people who give at least $100 each) will assist in the purchase of a new bath tub for long-term care.
The committee also plans to invest $50,000 into a future projects fund so they can take on larger projects down the road.
Mills noted that the goal of the committee's first capital campaign last year was to provide equipment for the acute care areas of Olds Hospital and Care Centre.
The idea was to add technology and new equipment to improve patient care and increase the life-saving capacity of the hospital.
"We are pleased to stand here a year later and announce the project is complete. All equipment has been purchased and is functional in the Olds Hospital and Care Centre," Mills told the crowd.
"We know that this amazing success is due to our amazing donors and the wonderful community support that we received towards this project.
"Not only did we finish the campaign, but we were able to add additional equipment to the hospital this year," Mills said.
"We were able to also purchase a bilisoft jaundice treatment light for treating babies so they can go home to their families earlier, a cast cart for acute care, and a fluid irrigation system in the operating room to allow for better care of patients during surgery."
She noted the $100 Club had hoped to raise money for bariatric stretchers, which are designed to accommodate heavier patients.
"Due to your overwhelming generosity, the stretchers were bought without the assistance of the Olds $100 Club," she said.
In addition, 10 permanent wheelchairs were bought for the Olds hospital.
"All of this equipment significantly enhances patient care and ultimately saves lives," said Wayne Krejci, site manager of Olds Hospital and Care Centre.
He said the space lab monitoring system will be "accessible throughout the province," so "cardiologists from Red Deer, Calgary, Edmonton will be able to view what's going on."
Joe Gustafson of the $100 club said that group is pleased to with the OHCFC to help buy the new bathtub for the long-term care department.
"You know, you visualize these bathtubs as being something that we bathe in at home, but they're 30-some-thousand dollars, and of course, very, very specialized, allowing patients of all ambulatory abilities to be able to use them," he said.
"I thank you for your support of the $100 Club. And hopefully by this time next year, we can invite you to have a bath," he said, prompting some laughter.
The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation (WHF), helps raise money for the OHCFC and coordinate its efforts. WHF executive director John Strong addressed the crowd, noting donations can be made directly at the hospital or online.
He said the increase in donors creates "a much better base."
"That takes the pressure off that one donor and allows you to spread it out and it shows the community is becoming more involved, which we love," Strong said. "And we're hoping that with continued campaigns the community will stay involved."
It was pointed out to Strong that some people in the community don't understand that money raised by the OHCFC is actually going to the Olds Hospital and Care Centre because the word 'hospital' is not in the committee's name.
Strong understood that.
"We're going away from using the term 'hospital' across the province because AHS is going away from a hospital-centered model. So you will see more and more things in the community that we are supporting that are not 'hospital' but they are health care-related," he said.
"But I get what you're saying; people aren't sure. So we're going to work on marketing that. We have a marketing committee now."
"People need to understand the low administration (costs) compared to other charities," Strong said. "Your dollars are going to what you want them to go to."
