October 21st Spirit Gala for Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation
Back row, from left: Lisa Ochsner, Chryseis Green, Katie Crowe and Elizabeth Yole. Front row, from left: Judy Batty, Sarah Bragg and Bren Moroz-Pettyjohn. © Photo by Janis Jean Photography
SIDNEY – Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation is launching a campaign to raise funds for the renovation and upgrade of the Acute Care Unit at the hospital, and they are hoping they can count on the business community for support.
“This will be a largest-ever, two year campaign to support much-needed improvements to in-patient services at the hospital, after serving the healthcare needs of the community for almost 50 years,” says Foundation President and CEO Sarah Bragg. “This is a very exciting project, where we will be asking the community once again to support our hospital.”
Back in 1974, a group of concerned and committed Peninsula residents established the Foundation, and Sarah is proud to have joined the organization two years ago. “I have been so fortunate to get to know our incredibly supportive donors, the caring staff at the hospital, our dedicated volunteer board and very talented foundation team”. Sarah oversees operations, ensuring the Foundation’s work supports its vision to advance health care at the hospital and in the community. “I am proud to lead a team of six highly skilled individuals and as I like to say, “We are small but mighty.”
Saanich Peninsula Hospital has been providing healthcare in the community for almost 50 years, and through these challenging times, it remains a place where Peninsula residents can rely on best practices in healthcare and the latest technological advances in diagnosis and treatment.
“It is a family place where people are treated with care and compassion and the foundation is proud to support the financial needs of this wonderful facility,” Sarah continues. “In addition to supporting funds for equipment, programs and facility upgrades, we are also happy to grant educational bursaries to the amazing staff each year.
“This investment in people makes the hospital stronger, ensuring the staff can continue to provide the highest levels of care and the latest advancements in healthcare. We are also hopeful that our support will assist in the recruitment of new people to the hospital.”
The Foundation set fundraising records in 2022 and will continue raising the bar.
“On October 21st the foundation will host its largest fundraising gala, the new and exciting Spirit Gala with over 300 people in attendance,” she notes. “This year we hope to raise the most money in a single event, to support the largest campaign in Foundation history.
“We are so proud of the meaningful work we do in support of our community, however as with all aging hospitals, there is no finish line, and the need will continue. The Foundation is committed to supporting the ongoing needs of the hospital and healthcare in the community for generations to come.”
Sarah notes that the Foundation has raised over $75 million since its inception.
“Saanich Peninsula Hospital is our gem and people on the peninsula care deeply about it remaining a well-established urgent, acute and long-term care facility,” she says. “We owe everything to the generosity of the residents and businesses in our community, without their support, we simply could not do what we do for the hospital on an ongoing basis.”
By Mark MacDonald
