'We are blessed with an outpouring of support'

Drumheller Area Health Foundation provides comfort and facility improvements

Story by Gayleen Froese

DRUMHELLER — Every day in healthcare facilities across Alberta, lives are enriched through the work of local health foundations. The Drumheller Area Health Foundation demonstrates this by supporting residents from the beginning to the end of life at Drumheller Health Centre.

Over the past year, donations have encompassed bassinets, palliative care chairs, gas cards and bus passes, appliances for the family room, protective sheep skin for delicate skin, an electrical surgical unit, and recreational therapy entertainment. In affiliation with the Heart to Heart Support Society Drumheller, the foundation also donated a vein finder, wheelchairs and vital sign machines. In all, the community’s generosity amounted to an impressive $111,000.

The foundation recently held its third annual FestiValley gala in support of the Drumheller Health Centre. FestiValley has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the year in region. This year’s well-attended evening reflected the community’s support for the organization, says the foundation’s Ashley Berlando.

"We were blessed with an outpouring of support from our area with our India-themed gala this year. We had the highest attendance to date, generous sponsorships and numerous donated items from local businesses for our silent auction. The night was very lively, informative and entertaining, boasting Bollywood and traditional Bhangra dancing, local Indian catering as well as a presentation given by a beloved physician from our local health centre."

The many successful contributions from Drumheller Area Health Foundation show the good that foundation members, healthcare facilities and an involved community can achieve together.

Over the years, generous donors have enabled the Foundation to fund a CT scanner, portable ultrasound, specialized operating room equipment and more. On top of these large facility improvements, the foundation has made small, but no less important, differences to daily lives with supports such as bus passes for Home Care patients, art supplies for Continuing Care residents, and two much-loved healing gardens.

Maria Bergos, rural Acute Care manager and site lead at Drumheller Heath Centre, is quick to praise the foundation for all they do.

"We at the Health Centre are better able to support Drumheller and area residents because of the ongoing dedication of this foundation. They’re committed to improving the patient experience and to greater health for all."