By Lecina Hicke, CEO, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation

We are living in unprecedented times.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently described the urgent need for ventilators to support our health care providers in response to Covid-19. It is out of sheer coincidence, perhaps even  the grace of a higher power, that our Foundation has been working to raise funds to purchase two urgently needed portable ventilators for our Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. This means that we are now in the position to accept your online donations  in support of ventilators. And thanks to a caring couple who share your dedication to support the best patient care possible at our Hospital, your donation will be eligible for a matching gift from Terry and Denis Sirois. They believe so strongly in helping patients that they have committed $25,000 to match your gift in support of ventilators.

We began raising funds for these ventilators before the term “COVID-19” meant anything to anyone. Now, the need is greater than ever before. While our original goal was to purchase two ventilators, we will allocate each and every dollar we receive for this initiative to purchase as many ventilators as we possibly can.

I know that at times like this, people look for a sense of control and ownership when it comes to feeling as if they can make a difference. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that your gift is one way you can make a difference locally that will have a direct and positive impact on our community, and on the brave and selfless health care providers who are caring for those most vulnerable.

Now, more than ever, we need each other. Each gesture of compassion and every effort you are making to care for yourself, your families and your community is greatly appreciated.

Together, we truly are stronger, and together we will get through this. 

Out of respect for the health and safety of patients and employees at St. Paul’s Hospital, we have temporarily closed our Gift Shop and Foundation Office on Monday, March 16, and postponed our Annual General Meeting (originally scheduled for April 23 at 12 noon). However, we do have staff working remotely.

You can learn more about our Seeds of Hope campaign in support of ventilators here.

We encourage you to make a donation from the comfort of your home. You can make an online donation here,  You can download our form to print and mail in with a cheque or simply leave a message on our voicemail at 306-655-5821 and a staff person will return your call.

Please be safe and do what you can to care for one another.

Wash your hands, practice self-isolation, call your friends and family, and stay up to date on the latest information at www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to advance our Hospital’s vision for a community of health, hope and compassion for all.

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