May 29, 2020
Vicki Koersen, fundraising coordinator with the Taber & District Health Foundation, delivers tablets to the Taber Health Centre. The tablets provide patients and continuing care residents the ability to see family and friends face to face while COVID-19 visitation restrictions are in effect.
Story by Amelia Schofield | Photo Supplied
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of Albertans in many ways yet, despite these challenges, foundations and donors continue coming together in new and innovative ways to help patients and families.
From supporting a mental health initiative such as Text4Hope, funding COVID-19 research trials, or launching COVID-19 response funds, foundations have provided support that has been instrumental to the COVID-19 response.
Launched early on in Alberta’s COVID-19 response, Text4Hope is a free service that provides subscribers with three months of daily cognitive behavioural therapy-based text messages written by mental health therapists. An Alberta-based innovation, the program is providing daily advice and words of encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency.
The program was made possible through a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Mental Health Foundation, Calgary Health Trust, University Hospital Foundation, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, Alberta Cancer Foundation and Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. More than 45,000 Albertans have subscribed to Text4Hope to date.
"Adapting to lifestyle changes, stress and isolation during this time has challenged the mental health of our community, especially those individuals already living with mental illness. A virtual option for additional support was clearly essential,” says Mark Korthuis, President and CEO of the Mental Health Foundation, who was lead sponsor of Text4Hope.
“The Mental Health Foundation is proud to play a role in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of Albertans under these unique circumstances."
In response to COVID-19, several foundations have also established their own relief funds. These efforts have included the Calgary Health Trust’s Clean Hands, Giving Hearts COVID-19 Response Fund. The Trust has committed more than $2.4 million to date toward several investments, including laboratory equipment to advance testing capacity, Text4Hope and two research trials.
Healthcare has always been important to our community, but through this pandemic the importance of rapid innovation, strategic partnerships and investments in quality care have become centrestage,” says Mike Meldrum, President and CEO of Calgary Health Trust.
“Now is when the community and our health system really have to work hand in hand as there are many emerging needs that can be addressed faster, more effectively and to a greater degree when we work together.”
In addition to starting their own funds, 15 of AHS’ foundation partners joined health foundations across Canada in taking part in The Frontline Fund. Launched in late April, health foundations across Canada have launched the fund as a way for all Canadians to support healthcare during the COVID-19 response.
“We are better together and The Frontline Fund is a great example of that. With so many Canadians feeling compelled to give back to our front line hospital heroes, The Frontline Fund is a tremendous opportunity for anyone to show their support and appreciation,” says Manon Therriault, Executive Director of Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, which is one of the Alberta-based health foundations taking part.
“It’s a remarkable partnership and we are grateful to the founding partner donors and countless Canadians who’ve made a donation.”
Several foundations have also taken the initiative to fund comfort items such as tablets and other electronic devices so hospital patients and continuing care residents can virtually visit with their loved ones while the COVID-19 visitation restrictions are in effect.
In the community of Taber, the Taber & District Health Foundation recently donated nine tablet computers between Taber Health Centre, Taber & District Housing Foundation and Good Samaritan Linden View. The foundation received the tablets after requesting donations on social media.
“The Taber & District Health Foundation is so grateful for the community and our donors for their amazing support which allows initiatives like the tablets to happen,” says Vicki Koersen, fundraising coordinator with the foundation.
“We value the relationships we have created and the insight donors provide to our programs.”
AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu shares her appreciation to the foundations, and the Albertans who support them, for making these contributions possible.
“We are grateful to all our foundation partners and their many generous donors for the support they demonstrated toward our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she says.
“We deeply value their partnership and appreciate all their contributions toward Alberta’s response effort.”
May is Health Philanthropy Month. Throughout the month, AHS is celebrating the foundations and auxiliaries that raise funds for healthcare across the province. To learn more about our foundation partners, and their COVID-19 fundraising efforts, visit ahs.ca/give.
