150 Reasons to Celebrate Canada and the Auxiliary to UHNBC
Members of the Auxiliary to the University Hospital of Northern BC were on hand this morning to present the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation with $150,000 to support the Breast Health Imaging Centre here in Prince George.
"This is amazing. Quite a few months ago the mayor had issued a challenge to organizations within the city to do something to honour Canada's 150th birthday," said Judy Neiser, CEO, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. "So, we couldn't have picked a better partner to work with – the Auxiliary is a significant funding partner of ours."
Last fall a capital campaign for $500,000 was initiated to support the peripheral equipment needed to complement new digital mammography units funded by the Province of BC. The addition of this peripheral equipment will create a one-stop breast health imaging centre at UHNBC to serve residents of the North. Fundraising began at Spirit of the North's signature event, the 2016 Festival of Trees. Another incredible donation was made through proceeds from the Miracle Theatre performances held in February and March. There were many other private donations along the way and this donation from the Auxiliary to UHNBC is the final $150,000 needed to complete funding for the Breast Health Imaging Centre.
Linda Hohn, past president of the Auxiliary to UHNBC, says the money was raised through sales at the Auxiliary Gift Shop at the hospital and the downtown Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. "This is wonderful," she said. "The breast imaging clinic is going to make it so great for women and men to be able to get the care that they need immediately. There won't be a waiting period, it'll be right now and that's what we've been waiting for."
Along with celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, it was also great to celebrate such an accomplishment for two organizations who care so much about bringing the best of care closer to home in the North.
For more information, or to support our current fundraising projects, please contact the Spirit of the North office (250-565-2515) or visit our website (www.spiritofthenorth.ca)