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The Lloydminster Region Health Foundation held its 20th Annual Health Foundation Gala this past Saturday and raised over $352,000.
This money has been earmarked to their Greatest Need fund, including this year’s enhanced C6 ventilator, among other necessary equipment required to serve our region more effectively.
A C6 Ventilator will enhance the current ventilators available to newborns in our local hospital. The Lloydminster Hospital helps deliver approximately 1,000 babies annually. Of those newborns, approximately 10 per cent will need assistance with breathing after birth. Having the most up-to-date ventilator in place will alleviate stress on the patients and their families by providing the care they need closer to home, rather than the added stress of their newborn being lifted out to a larger municipality.
When the ventilator is not in neonatal care, it is just as effective for adults and children in the special care unit. In addition, the new ventilator has an extended battery life of 180 minutes (compared to the average 20-minute lifespan the current ventilators at the Lloydminster Hospital have), thus making it it easier for transportation while in use. This is truly an enhancement of care for our region with features like high-flow oxygen therapy, patient-ventilator synchrony, non-invasive pressure control, limiting tracheal injuries, and more.
“Healthcare is something we need from our very first breath to our final breath. It’s important in our day-to-day lives cannot go unrecognized, nor does the support each of you provides by supporting events like this year’s Gala,”said the Health Foundation’s CEO, Stephanie Monro.
“I truly believe a community is only as strong and healthy as the people in it. As we continue to support enhancements in healthcare, we continue to grow our community and make Lloydminster and the region truly one of the best places to live, grow, and prosper. Thank you for helping us create a night of enchantment and raising funds for enhancing healthcare in our community. Not only did we raise significant funds through the Gala, but we provided an avenue for people to gather, laugh, dance and celebrate community. There was definitely a special feeling in the room, our guests were happy to be together after nearly two and a half years of not being able to see each other face to face. I feel as though the event provided a positive mental health environment for everyone in attendance.“
The 2022 Gala theme was Enchanted Garden, which featured floor-to-ceiling floral arrangements, including a mannequin draped in a rose dress. Guests were greeted by real ballerina dancers (Rhythm FX), as Carmela McDonald Quintet serenaded them over a well-prepared prime rib meal by the Lloydminster Exhibition Association. Live and silent auction items were also available for bid and live music from Side One Entertainment. Additionally, a tribute was made to Malcolm Radke and Darrel Howell, the former Health Foundation’s CEO and former long-time Board Chair/President, respectively, as well as a look back on the past two decades of Gala themes and guests.
Over the past two decades, with the support of our donors and community members, this annual event has raised over $3,000,000 for enhanced healthcare in Lloydminster.
