Bathurst, June 20, 2016 – At a press conference held this morning, the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation proceeded to announce the lead partners involved in its major fundraising campaign with an objective of $5 million over five years. The Chair of the major campaign, René Legacy, and the members of his team were proud to publicly introduce the following donors who have agreed to support the Chaleur Regional Hospital’s major projects: UNI Financial Cooperation ($250,000), The Sir James Dunn Foundation ($200,000), United Commercial Travelers of America – Bathurst Council No. 827 ($150,000), Roses Radiothon ($107,701), Filles Marie-de-l’Assomption ($100,000), Tim Hortons ($50,000), Belledune Port Authority($50,000), Hatheway Auto Group ($50,000) and Acadie Nouvelle ($50,000). A number of spaces and rooms have been named after these donors to the Chaleur Regional Hospital in recognition of their support. This amount is in addition to the $1 million contribution that had been announced by the Friends of Health Care Bingo at the campaign launch on May 17.
“This morning’s commitments total an additional $1 million for our campaign, which has a $5 million objective. We are very grateful toward all the partners for their generous contributions announced this morning,” explained René Legacy, Chair of the major fundraising campaign.
A campaign meeting urgent needs…
The money raised during the campaign will supplement the $200 million investment from the provincial government. We are launching a major $5 million fundraising campaign to help modernize our regional hospital. Concretely, your generosity will go toward the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for four major priority projects:
“As a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and one of the hospital’s health professionals, I would like to thank all the donors who announced their support today. Your contributions will give our hospital the spaces and tools needed to enhance health care services for patients,” explained Dr. John LeBlanc, member of the Board of Directors and master of ceremonies for the event.
Patients are our motivation…
The Mother/Child Program is one of the major fundraising campaign’s priorities. The money raised by the campaign will make it possible to better outfit this area with cutting-edge technology equipment. Jessica Poirier delivered a touching testimonial about the experience that she and her husband had had at the birth of their daughter Maude, now one and a half years old. “When we were told that Maude was stable enough to be transferred to Bathurst, I was relieved because I knew that I would be able to count on the support of our families and friends. She weighed 2.5 lbs. when we arrived at intensive care of the Nursery of the Chaleur Regional Hospital. I do not know how to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff for all their support and kindness. My husband and I were coming to see Maude during the day. She was fed through a tube and I took her in my arms to rock her while she was being fed. Overnight, the nurses rocked her, talked to her, and took care of her. On discharge, she was doing well and had doubled in weight. When you spend a long time in the hospital following delivery, you need the best possible conditions to get through it. I found that the mother was getting a lot of good care but there was not enough room for the father. Redeveloping the Mother/Child Program at the Chaleur Regional Hospital will help to better accommodate both parents, whether it be in more spacious rooms or family rooms. I am proud to know that this campaign will help meet these challenges. This is why I would like to thank the donors today and I encourage the community to support this campaign. Health is everybody’s business. Your donation can literally change lives,” Jessica Poirier explained.
Mobilization of the community
Work is well under way according to the Campaign Committee. The response to our approach to date has been very positive. The coming weeks will continue to be very busy. A third press conference will be called in the fall to present other donors and give a project update.
About the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation…
The Foundation is a strong partner of the Chaleur Regional Hospital. It acts as a driving force and supports the hospital’s projects that have a significant impact on the quality of patient care. The Foundation has invested over $12 million in the Chaleur Regional Hospital since 1990.