A Message from East Kootenay Foundation for Health

Eleven months ago to the day East Kootenay Foundation for Health launched its’ largest public fund raising campaign to date – a two year, $1 million venture to bring a digital stereotactic mammography unit to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.

To say it was an ambitious campaign was definitely an understatement. It was the largest fund raising venture our organization had ever attempted but the need was great. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women and early detection and treatment is the key to survival. We believed that the communities of the East Kootenays should have the best mammography equipment available to replace the existing aging technology and since no government funding was forthcoming our decision was an easy one – raise the funds, purchase the equipment and ensure that the women (and men) of the East Kootenay Region would not have to travel outside the area to receive the best in breast cancer screening and diagnostics.

Could we do it in these uncertain economic times? Prior to the public launch many leadership gifts had already been identified:

• Cranbrook Health Care Auxillary $250,000
• Invermere Health Care Auxillary $ 50,000
• Edgewater/Radium Health Care Auxillary $500
• Kimberley Health Care Auxillary $ 10,000
and others for a total of nearly $500,000 already being raised. An award winning marketing campaign had been developed by local professionals and individuals – The Faces of the Campaign - and we were on our way.

What an amazing, heartwarming and sometimes heart breaking journey it has been. Since the 3rd of October many more organizations, service clubs, corporations, large and small businesses and individuals have come forward with fund raising events and donations to help make this dream a reality and today – over a year ahead of schedule, and through the tireless efforts of Donna and many others, I, am extremely proud and humbled to say that with this gift from the Lake Windermere District Lions we have reached our goal.

On behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of East Kootenay Foundation for Health – Thank you for believing in the cause as much as we did.

On behalf of all the members of our communities who will have to face the possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis – Thank you for ensuring the best possible technology is available in our region
 

Linda Berukoff
Past Chair, East Kootenay Foundation for Health