The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is hoping its videos go viral.
Supporters, media and video participants gathered with popcorn Friday as the foundation debuted its video series at Vernon Jubilee Hospital demonstrating the impact donations have on health care in the North Okanagan.
The series features local celebrities, patients, doctors, health care providers, volunteers and donors sharing their stories and support, with the tag line Make Health Care Better.
For a year the video project has been chronicling the far-reaching scope of the foundation’s mandate and the thousands of lives that are affected each year from the 50-plus areas of care that the foundation funds.
“Over the past eight years, I have shared in many rewarding experiences and memorable moments, witnessing how lives are transformed through the kindness and generosity of our citizens through their donations and volunteer time,” said Elise Allan, VJH Foundation president.
“With the video series, we wanted to thank our donors and supporters by letting them know the profound impact they have on residents throughout the North Okanagan, and to show our community the tremendous value there is in helping to make health care better.”
Partnering with a video production team from Mastermind Studios, the foundation’s video series comprises more than 100 videos.
Last year, the foundation raised more than $2,000,000 from individuals, groups and businesses in the North Okanagan.
Funds were designated for: furnishing the sixth and seventh floors of Polson Tower, purchasing equipment, staff training and programs at VJH, Interior Health-managed residential care facilities and community health programs throughout the North Okanagan.
Video participant Sue Solymosi, of JCI Vernon, became emotional while speaking about the role the hospital has played in her life.
“The hospital is important to me, I have had both my kids here and I’ve spent my own time in the hospital,” said Solymosi. “I was in a car crash when I was 16 and Vernon Jubilee Hospital took really good care of me and saved my life.”
Solymosi is one of many people who shared their stories and reasons that they support the foundation.
Dr. Michael Concannon, emergency department physician at VJH, sees the benefits of the foundations fundraising every day.
“The foundation helps take the quality of care to the next level to make sure patients get excellent care when they come in here,” said Concannon.
“The government will look after pouring the concrete, building the walls, putting the building up, but at the end of it there are needs for equipment, hospital beds, pieces of surgical equipment, scopes for the surgeons, defibrillators to be used up on the wards, eye equipment that is used out in Armstrong, comfort equipment at some of our extended care facilities, so the foundation is very involved in making sure that the best equipment is available in our facilities here.”
VJH Foundation funds: crucial health care needs; specialized equipment; staff education and residential care facilities and community-based programs in Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby and Lumby, which include seniors’ day programs; health-related support groups; and patient comforts. Examples are the Lions Vision Centre in Armstrong, Granville Getaway Adult Day Program in Enderby, public health programs in Lumby and Cherryville, as well as staff training in the emergency department at VJH.
Videos can be viewed at www.vjhfoundation.org/video.
