Those involved with the Saskatchewan Hospital New Beginnings campaign had big smiles last week.
It was announced Friday that an anonymous donor from southern Saskatchewan has made a $1 million donation to the campaign, which goes towards furniture and equipment at the new hospital.
“This is truly an amazing act of generosity,” said Corinne Bernier Delainey, fundraising lead for the New Beginnings campaign, in a statement Friday.
“The patients and staff of the current Saskatchewan Hospital are thrilled with the extremely generous gift toward purchase of the equipment and furniture they need for the new hospital currently under construction in North Battleford.”
"When we told the patients and staff of the donation, huge smiles erupted on their faces. Everyone was really excited, astonished and overwhelmingly grateful," said Lynda Shynkaruk, director of Saskatchewan Hospital.
The fundraising campaign has an ambitious $8 million target to reach for the new facility. This latest donation means that over $1.13 million has been raised to this point.
Construction of the new 284-bed facility is to be completed by June 2018. While construction costs for the new hospital are fully funded by the provincial government, fundraising must cover the cost of equipment and furnishings, as is the case for other health care projects in Saskatchewan.
“We are deeply grateful for all of the donations received so far,” said Delainey. “The million dollar contribution from a donor in the southern part of the province speaks to how broadly the services of Saskatchewan Hospital have reached over its more than a century of care and treatment of patients from all over Saskatchewan.”
“The hospital truly is a provincial facility,” added Delainey. “That is why our campaign is province-wide. We are optimistic that people, organizations and businesses from throughout Saskatchewan will open their hearts to meet the needs of these most vulnerable of individuals and support them by donating to the campaign?"
