Fort St. John
Hospital Foundation

"Have a Heart"

Babies! Babies! And More Babies!

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation just completed their "Have A Heart" Maternity Room Campaign.  A total of 146 donors raised $130,000 for our labouring moms and newborns since the start of the campaign last February.  

Fort St. John has one of the highest birthrates in the nation.  In 2008 we had 645 births, up from 560 the previous year - a substantial increase.  The increase in births forced the maternity department to open a third birthing room and to transfer equipment back and forth when multiple deliveries are in progress. Although this is a common practice in some hospitals, our community and new mothers deserve better. The hospital wanted to fully equip a third delivery room; however, it was not in the capital budget for Northern Health. The Foundation was asked to get involved to raise the money to purchase the much-needed equipment.

"We are excited that we were able to wrap up our "Have A Heart" Maternity Room Campaign and to get the third labour and delivery room fully equipped with all the gadgets and gizmos needed to bring our babies safely into the world", said Executive Director, Ashley Bentley.  "The Foundation considers this campaign a huge success. "We are very thankful that EnCana made the decision to contribute $25,000, the full purchase price of the Labour and Delivery Bed and that Chances Gaming Centre helped raised $35,000 with their Found Money,  and their 2^nd Annual Golf and Poker Tournament.  In addition Astral Media teamed up with Chances to host the 1^st Annual "Have a Heart" Poker Tournament.  All of our donors can be extremely proud of the efforts they have made on behalf of our newest members of the community."

The campaign provided a new labour and delivery bed, a radiant resuscitation warmer, fetal monitor, incubator, pain management pump and Neo-Puff.  All these pieces of equipment are already in use or will be delivered within the next few weeks.