Close to one-third of B.C. kids at two years of age, among the most vulnerable in our society, are not up to date with their immunizations.
A transformational $15 million gift from Save-On-Foods will establish Canada’s first storefront immunization clinic at BC Children’s Hospital and consultation services to physicians across the province.
Its goal: to improve immunization rates for all children, including those with complex medical conditions. The donation will also fund urgently needed medical equipment.
“The Save-On-Foods family has already donated over $30 million in funding innovative programs that profoundly affect the health and well-being of B.C. children,” said Teri Nicholas, President & CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. ”This commitment brings their all-time giving to $45 million — making Save-On-Foods our biggest donor of all time.”
The new immunization clinic will be situated in Children’s Hospital’s busy ambulatory care building and open not only to patients, but all family members.
Last year, 86,000 children and youth were treated at BC Children’s – counting their siblings and parents, the clinic has potential to provide thousands of immunizations annually when it opens to the public in the fall of 2017.
“We are striving for improved immunization rates for BC kids,” said Leslie Arnold, executive leader of BC Children’s Hospital.“This clinic will be a safe, reliable and convenient place for families to come while at our hospital, as well as providing province-wide leadership to community health providers.”
Save-On-Foods’ gift will also create a fund for urgently-needed equipment.
“The Save-On-Foods team is passionate about our communities and it’s by supporting the tremendous efforts of the fine folks at BC Children’s Hospital that we’re able to help change lives across this province,” said Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones. “Giving back to BC Children’s Hospital is a natural fit for our company, and together with our teams, our customers, and our supplier partners, we’re helping ensure our future – the kids in communities across British Columbia – is bright.”
