The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation was founded on June 18, 1991 as the Prince George Regional Hospital (PGRH) Foundation, with Myron Sambad as founding president. The Foundation works in cooperation with the Northern Health Authority and focuses on the area served by the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia.
The following are significant events in the growth and development of the Foundation:
- 1993 – Launched “Together…We Care” Regional Hospital Campaign.
- 1994 – First annual Prince George Festival of Trees.
- 09/1997 – Establishment of a membership through the Presidents Club, which recognizes annual donations and volunteered time. The membership will vote for the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meetings.
- 12/1997 – Official name change to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
- 1998 – Successfully completed the five-year Regional Hospital Campaign.
- 1999 – The Foundation pledged $1 Million to help purchase a new Cat Scan unit for UHNBC, and will fund, in its entirety the newly developed multi-slice technology.
- 2000 – The 22nd annual Shrine-CKPG Telethon was an outstanding success, going off the air at the end of the day with a pledged total of $317,645.
- 03/2001 – Centre of Excellence Campaign launched with first ever Spirit of the North Day on PGTV.
- 09/2001 – Celebrated 10th Anniversary.
- 07/2003 – Permanent MRI comes to UHNBC.
- 11/2003 – 10th Annual Festival of Trees is celebrated at the Prince George Civic Centre.
- 2004 – First ever Spirit of the North Radiothon was broadcast live on 101.3 Hits FM.
- 05/2006 – Variety-The Children’s Charity pledges $450,000 in support of our Maternal Child Centre of Excellence. The funds are earmarked for the purchase of equipment and renovations at PGRH as we complete the Foundation’s commitment of $2 million of this $12.5 million dollar project.
- 07/2006 – Ms. Debie Hamilton accepted the position as the new Fund Development Officer.
- 07/2007 - The 15th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament was a sold-out success. This tournament has raised over $340,000 to enhance healthcare for the people of Northern British Columbia.
- 11/2007 – The 14th Annual Festival of Trees Gala Auction broke every record by raising more than $210,000!!!
- 2008 - The Eight annual Spirit of the North Day, a five hour recognition event and fundraiser for the Foundation recognized over $2,304,836 in donations and funds raised during the year.
- April 2008 – Past President and long time advocate for the Foundation, Del Laverdure passes away from cancer.July 18, 2008 – Announcement of the Northern Cancer Clinic for Prince George• December 2008 – Festival of Trees is open for the first time for 2 weekends
- August 2009 – Northern Cancer Lodge for Prince George is announced
- September 2009 – The Board approves a grant for $558,000 for the 2nd Endoscopy Room at UHNBC.
- September 2009 – “Cash to Fight Cancer” Lottery is launched
- October 29, 2009 – A special resolution is passed at the Annual General Meeting that will have directors serve up to eight consecutive years on the Board. David Wharrie announces his retirement.
- December 19, 2009 – Cash to Fight Cancer Lottery is completed and the winner of the $250,000 is Anne Muirhead of Prince George.
- March 20, 2010 – The 13th annual Harley Raffle is a sold out success. Prince George Fire Fighters have raised over $500,000
- April 11, 2010 – Spirit of the North Day recognized the transfer of funds to NH for $1,3M
- April 21, 2010 – Carol Beebe, Chair of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Don Gowan as the new CEO
- July 2010 – The Foundation commits $225,000 for the purchase of the Cardiovascular Ultrasound Unit for ICU
- September 9, 2010 – 2nd annual Cash to Fight Cancer Lottery is launched with $250,000 as the grand prize!!
- September 20, 2010 – 10th Annual Smile Cookie Campaign starts. Tim Hortons has raised over $100,000 to enhance healthcare
- December 26, 2010 – The final winners of the 2010 Cash to Fight Cancer Lottery have been drawn! Congratulations to Kevin and Julie McKenney of Prince George
- May 31, 2011 – Costco has raised over $500,000 since 1994 from the month of “May” fundraising events
- July 19, 2011 – The Foundation assist with the 8th Annual Commonwealth Cup
- August 5, 2011 – The Foundation assist the Northland Autogroup with their 6th annual healthy children golf tournament for Child Development Centre
- September 16, 2011 – The 7th annual Radiothon raised over $62,000 for the purchase of equipment for the new Primary Health Care Clinic
- October 26, 2011 – At the Annual General Meeting, the Foundation celebrates its 20th Anniversary and recognized the past presidents of the foundation: Myron Sambad, Harry Backlin, Tom Griffiths, Diane Rogers, and Carol Beebe with the “Award of Merit”
The Foundation Story
December 2003
Over the past few years, we have shared with you several stories of PGRH patients whose quality of life was greatly enhanced because of donations to our Foundation. We hope we have helped people realize that our primary focus is not on the donations or even the medical equipment, renovations or educational grants they fund. Our ultimate interest is improving life for the people of northern B.C.
Today, having just completed celebration of our 10th Annual Prince George Festival of Trees, we would like to offer you somewhat of a retrospective of what the Foundation has meant to our community. In putting together “The Foundation Story”, we have collected comments from many people who have been involved in various aspects of our operations.
“I like to be involved and enjoy seeing things grow in this community. The Foundation has evolved from a little one-person office to a fully developed organization that does so many positive things – the Festival of Trees, Northern B.C. Friends of Children Society, the Pro-Am golf tournament, multi-million dollar capital campaigns and so much more. It’s much more than just raising money. One of my fondest memories is taking my mother to the Seniors Tea at the Festival of Trees. She had just moved here from Winnipeg and that event gave her such a warm and welcome feeling. There is always a spot in my heart for the Foundation and what it does for the hospital and people in our community.”
-Lynne Fehr, Community Leader“We are pleased to help get people involved and raise funds as a joint venture between the Foundation, our staff and our members. We enjoy running our in-house events as well as working the phones at Spirit of the North Day. And we’re excited to have a tree in this year’s Festival of Trees.”
-Dean Blanis, Costco Wholesale“I have had the pleasure of being involved with the Foundation for the past 10 years and seen its development and what it has meant to this community. I think it’s wonderful how many people have been involved in giving of themselves for the betterment of others. It has made a difference far beyond the value of the dollars it has raised. In particular, I would like to express my thanks to my team of “tree fluffers” who have helped prepare the Christmas trees for decoration at the Festival of Trees.”
-Shirley Gratton, Community Volunteer“Our business is proud to have been a strong supporter of the Foundation since its early days. We understand the vital role it plays in giving the community the chance to improve healthcare in this area. We know that our donated dollars have been well spent and we’ve also enjoyed the camaraderie and community spirit generated each year through the Festival of Trees and Pro-Am golf tournament.”
-Keith Andersen, Lakeland Mills
The Foundation has funded millions of dollars of capital equipment for our regional hospital. Procedures and diagnostic abilities have improved considerably. Waiting lists have shortened and fewer patients, and their families, have had to travel to Vancouver for treatment. Lives have been saved and our regional hospital is a more attractive alternative for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
“Funds generously donated by the Foundation have rocketed department of diagnostic imaging at PGRH from the dark ages into the twenty-first century! Improved imaging with leading edge technology improves patient care by a quantum leap. Residents of the north may have state-of-the-art imaging performed locally and if outside expertise is required only the images need be electronically sent to the specialist. Not only has the quality of healthcare been improved but it is far easier, and less costly, for patients and families to access it.”
-Dr. Greg Shand, Chief of Radiology, PGRH“The Foundation has participated in donating the substantial funds required to complete the purchase of many of the needed items we have required in recent years including the laser, ultrasound, angiography upgrade, new slit lamp and computer. We would like to thank those who have contributed to the Spirit of the North healthcare Foundation on behalf of the Ophthalmology Department and we look forward to their further assistance in acquiring a couple more needed pieces of equipment.”
-The Ophthalmologists of Prince George Drs. Konkal, Roesch and Veselinovic
In January 1998, with the assistance of the Foundation, Northern B.C. Friends of Children Society was formed for the purpose of assisting northern British Columbian families living with children in medical need; assisting with medical travel and special equipment needs while offering emotional support and family advocacy.
“The Foundation’s supporting parental umbrella has helped to establish and ensure a viable Society structure within Friends of Children – one that is deep in commitment and sure of footing. Our members, staff, volunteers and 100’s of supported B.C. families thank you!”
-Selena Carpino, Executive Director, Northern B.C. Friends of Children Society“Northern BC Friends of Children Society has been an integral part of our family support system. Not only have we received financial assistance for our many trips to BCCH with our son Kieran, but also the emotional support we have received has been invaluable. Thank you so much to Friends of Children and to the Foundation for its support of this vital organization.”
-Sandy Nadeau, Kieran’s mom
The Foundation is well-known for its capital projects and events but it has also had a great impact in supporting training and education initiatives for healthcare workers and physicians in communities throughout the PGRH referral area.
“I am proud to say that, since 1997, donations to an endowment fund in my name have provided close to $50,000 in educational grants. In so doing, the Foundation and its donors recognize that the greatest resource of our healthcare system is our people.”
-Dr. Jack McKenzie, Patron to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation“As a healthcare worker in Prince George, I am very committed to our system and its services. I enjoy my ongoing education process and I believe it contributes to the skills and the knowledge that I bring to my workplace. Many thanks to the Foundation for taking the time to create and administer this grant program. It is very much appreciated.”
-Christine James, Home & Community Care, Prince George
Plans are currently being completed for major renovations to Jubilee Lodge Extended Care and the combined areas of Maternal Childcare Services at PGRH. Significant funds have already been raised, through annual Telethons and other sources. These projects will make a huge difference in the quality of stay experienced by the young and their families and our elderly residents while in our care.
“In Jubilee Lodge I see people who fought our wars, taught our children, nursed our sick, policed our streets, delivered our mail, and in general made our lives better. When someone is forced to spend a large percentage of their lives in bed, it is imperative that their surroundings be pleasing to the eye and be as comfortable and home-like as possible. A resident of an extended care unit once described it as God’s waiting room. If this is the case He would be pleased with the renovations that have been done, and will be done, in Jubilee Lodge.”
-Arlene Bird, Jubilee Lodge Resident’s family member“From their life experiences, parents have well-developed coping mechanisms. Children do not and therefore their fear, distress and pain far exceed that of their parents. For this reason, children need to be surrounded by their loving family and friends in bright, airy, cheerful hospital rooms. We are working with the Foundation and its supporters to build a pediatric unit where patients and children can find peace and solace to assist in the healing process.”
-Dr. Marie Hay, Chief of Pediatrics, PGRH
Thank you to all those who have shared their thoughts about us with you. We are proud of our development into a multi-dimensional organization that is integral to the health, welfare and social fabric of our community. Most of all, thank you for your generous ongoing support and involvement. We are in your service.
