Donations to VJH Foundation matched up to $200,000 this GivingTuesday
December 2, double your impact and bring vital surgical equipment to VJH
VERNON, BC — Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s annual holiday appeal is back and this year, Light A Bulb is raising funds to bring urgently needed surgical equipment to VJH.
The Foundation is thrilled to once again participate in GivingTuesday and to announce an exciting matching gift opportunity to increase access to healthcare. All Light A Bulb donations received Tuesday, December 2, will be matched up to $200,000.
“GivingTuesday is a global day of giving recognized around the world,” says Kate McBrearty, executive director of the VJH Foundation. “What better way to celebrate it than with a community like ours that truly understands the power to drive change through acts of generosity?”
This incredible opportunity for donors to double their impact is thanks to a generous donation from Anita Finlay – a long-time supporter of VJH Foundation.
Well-respected members of the Lake Country community for almost 40 years, Anita and her late husband Wray, exemplified hard work and entrepreneurship. They were one of the founders of Wood Lake Cable, the TV service for the region, which further encouraged future development in the area. The Finlays were also instrumental in introducing several much-needed amenities to the community, including the expansion of natural gas service to outlying areas.
“My parents were always looking for ways to give back to the community,” says the Finlay’s daughter, Judy. “This recent gift to VJH Foundation is simply another part of that legacy. My Mom wants to honour my Dad and their joint desire to have a lasting impact on healthcare in the North Okanagan.”
Wray and Anita Finlay believed in giving back to their community.
Anita continues that legacy with an incredibly generous matching gift of $200,000 to Light A Bulb.
““GivingTuesday is a global day of giving recognized around the world. What better way to celebrate it than with a community like ours that truly understands the power to drive change through acts of generosity?””
Anita’s latest gift will fund essential surgical medical equipment at VJH. In the urology department: a Thulium laser for breaking up stones in the body (such as kidney stones). The ENT department requires a CO2 laser for precise, minimally invasive removal of tumors, polyps and other growths in the throat, larynx and nose. This same department also needs an ENT microscope for complex surgical procedures in the highly intricate structures of the ear, nose and throat. This equipment directly contributes to less invasive surgeries, shorter recovery times and better patient outcomes.
All three pieces of surgical equipment have reached their end of life and are in urgent need of replacement. Over 2,600 operations are performed annually on this equipment alone. Without this critical equipment, patients from the North Okanagan would need to travel to Kamloops or possibly further for these procedures.
“We’re so deeply grateful to donors like Anita and her family,” says Kate. “Matching donors understand that healthcare is expensive, but by coming together – as we do – on GivingTuesday, we can equip our surgical teams so that our community has access to the best care possible, right here at home.
"We live in such a generous community. When it comes to improving healthcare, every gift counts! Together, we have a big impact.”