The East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) raised over $500,000 in their 2024 Starlite Campaign, which benefits health care across the region.
This funds from this year's Starlite Campaign, which was extended due to delays related to the Canada Post strike, were donated to numerous foundations.
These include: the upcoming oncology and renal expansion at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, new furnishings at the Durand Manor Long Term Care Home in Golden, the Beneath the Surface Ultrasound Campaign in Invermere, and improvements to equipment and patient comforts across the region's five hospitals, three health care centres, five long term care homes and numerous community health care programs.
"On behalf of our staff, our board, and our communities, we want to thank everyone who has spread the word and donated to this year’s campaign," an EKFH spokesperson said. "We are looking forward to continuing to raise funds for these and other upcoming health care priorities across the region."
Since 2020, EKFH has raised over $8.9 million in donations. Some of their accomplishments include building Foundry East Kootenay for the area's youth, improving medical imaging services across the region, upgrading patient comfort and equipment across all of their sites and improving their long-term care homes.
They will also be bringing a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, which was supported by their Warm Embrace Campaign. It met its funding target was officially met in November, 2024, following a $150,000 donation in October from the Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary.
"You have made an incredible difference across our region. You have helped save lives," EKFH said in a Feb. 10 press release. "We are thankful for your support every step of the way. There is always going to be a need for new equipment, patient comforts, spaces, and training in the East Kootenay. With your support, we can continue to meet those needs. With your support, we can continue to save lives."
To learn more about EKFH and how they support health care in the East Kootenay, visit ekfh.ca, visit their office located in the East Kootenay Regional Hospital lobby, or call 1-877-489-6481.
