VJH Foundation Rallies Community to Support Tiniest Patients
Every dollar raised for essential neonatal equipment matched up to $20,000
VERNON, BC — On April 15, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation launches its annual spring appeal, this year rallying community support to purchase a Giraffe: essential neonatal equipment that mimics the womb and helps premature and critically ill babies grow stronger.
To inspire early giving, an anonymous donor will match the first $20,000 donated, doubling the impact for local families and helping ensure the hospital provides the highest standard of care for its most vulnerable patients.
“When a baby is born, no parent imagines spending days, weeks or even months in the NICU, waiting and worrying about when they’ll be able to bring their child home,” says Dr. Jody Snook, head of the VJH Pediatrics Department. “Thanks to donor support, specialized neonatal equipment like the Giraffe helps provide early stability at a critical time to our most vulnerable babies. This gives them the best possible start and brings our families one step closer to going home.”
Giraffes are state-of-the-art incubators that stabilize the baby’s body temperature and are equipped with critical infant-sized resuscitation tools. They also act as an isolation bay, protecting against infection and managing light and noise exposure, both of which disrupt growth and development in preemies.
“A Giraffe gives our tiniest babies the best start possible,” says Kate McBrearty, executive director of VJH Foundation. “When our medical teams told us this is their #1 priority to provide advanced care for sick and preterm babies in our community, we knew folks would want to help make it happen.”
Vernon Jubilee is the third busiest hospital in Interior Health with over 800 babies born here last year, including 10 sets of twins.
Once again, the Foundation is fortunate to be joining forces with Tim Horton’s and their Smile Cookies campaign, which runs April 27 to May 3. 100% of all proceeds will go towards purchasing this second Giraffe. VJHF also continues to be the grateful recipient of 105.7 The Ranch’s annual “Have a Heart Radiothon,” now in its 23rd year, which will be on May 28.
“Our community is just awesome,” says Kate. “We’re so grateful to our partners Tims, The Ranch, our generous anonymous donor, and everybody who continues to play a crucial role in the ongoing success of our spring campaign. Supporting expecting families and our most vulnerable and tiniest patients harnesses the power of community generosity and brings the best care possible to our North Okanagan region.”
Ways to Donate:
Donate online at VJHFoundation.org/donate
Call 250.558.1362
Stop by your local Tims between April 27 and May 3 and buy a Smile Cookie for $2.
Visit The Ranch team on location at Village Green Mall on May 28 for their annual “Have a Heart” radiothon.
The Giraffe is a mobile neonatal trauma bay that mimics the womb and helps premature babies grow stronger at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
“ When a baby is born, no parent imagines spending days, weeks or even months in the NICU, waiting and worrying about when they’ll be able to bring their child home.
Thanks to donor support, specialized neonatal equipment like the Giraffe helps provide early stability at a critical time to our most vulnerable babies. This gives them the best possible start and brings our families one step closer to going home.”