Doing good in the community, helping people and highlighting the amazing organizations in and around the Lonsdale Avenue corridor of North Vancouver is something that we strive to do every day. And with that said we had the distinct pleasure to chat with Yolanda Brooks from the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation to learn more about the organization, what they do, and how we can help them reach more people with care by donating money and time.
Yolanda and members of her team will be coming to our launch party event on January 27th at 6pm and for those people who may want to meet her, this is a good opportunity to do so. The foundation has been working hard since 1981 to raise money to add services and facilities at Lions Gate Hospital. Over the past 8 or so years the foundation has also raised over $200 million for the betterment of the hospital, which is just beautiful to know.
Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) provides a complete range of general and many specialized acute care services including general medicine, emergency and critical care, general surgery, orthopaedics, maternity, pediatrics, psychiatry, chemotherapy, cardiac care, diagnostics, nuclear medicine, palliative care, rehabilitative services and neurosurgery.
What is the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and what functions does it fulfill in the community?
The Foundation has been raising funds for health care on the North Shore since 1981. The Foundation invests donations in new facilities, equipment and medical technology that enhances the care of patients across all publicly-funded health care facilities on the North Shore. The HOpe Centre, North Shore Hospice and the future high-tech $100 million Medical & Surgical Centre (which is due to open in 2023) would not be possible without the generosity of our donors.
How can our readers get involved personally and with financial donations to the foundation?
Supporters can go online and make a donation. 100% of all donations will go to support patient care. They can also host their own fundraising events which we can promote and support.
The Foundation is a very small-knit team and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of a team of dedicated volunteers. We have several fundraising events every year and donor appreciation events which volunteers attend. We also need office volunteers during the week and we sometimes require specialist skills for specific projects.
What are some of the ongoing and upcoming initiatives currently taking place within the foundation?
Right now we’re trying to raise $7.5 million for a new Critical Care Unit at LGH. The new unit will provide advanced levels of care for seriously-ill patients who don’t need the one-to-one care of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but are too sick to be supported in a standard acute ward. We’ve raised $3.5 million so far and the unit is due to open in 2021.
In your spare time outside of working alongside the LGH Foundation what activities do you get up to?
Like everyone at the Foundation, I love the outdoors and walking my dog. I particularly enjoy skiing, kayaking and hiking around Lynn Canyon.
Is there anything else you might want our readers to know about you or the foundation?
We have an art collection and it’s awesome. Our 500th work of art was recently donated. The Healing Power of Art Collection provides a more pleasant therapeutic environment for patients, visitors and staff alike. Gordon Smith donated the first piece of artwork back in 2012 and the collection is now valued at $1.3 million.
For more information please visit their website to donate or volunteer your time and specialized services. You can also connect with them using social media on Instagram and Facebook and go to their office location in Central Lonsdale which is at 231 East 15th Street.
