Foundation News: SLMHC Foundation (January 2024)

We are excited to bring you news and updates on what is happening at your SLMHC Health Centre Foundation. Our intentions are to make this a monthly feature, talking about updates on fundraising events – past and present, reporting on equipment purchased at your Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and how it assists our health care professionals in carrying out their jobs.

The SLMHC Foundation is the entity that carries out, implements and reaches out to find funding sources for equipment purchases.  As you may or may not be aware, governments build hospitals with capital equipment costs at the initial stages of the build however does not provide any funding sources for the upgrades, replacement or new equipment costs moving forward.  
The Foundation here in Sioux Lookout is extremely grateful to individuals, businesses, families and 3rd party fundraising groups that over the past 20+ years have been very generous in their time and resources.  They have created a legacy by donating to the Foundation and ultimately creating more efficient, quality health care for everyone in our community and throughout Northwestern Ontario.

Reviewing 2023 saw the purchase of 2 defibrillators, a new medication dispensing cabinet and Pulmonary function testing equipment along with the hematology analyzer, made possible by Skip to Equip, and what an incredible difference this equipment makes in providing increased diagnostic times, to expedite treatments and surgeries, increased comfort and ultimately better care for patients.  Our focus will now be MRI services for Sioux Lookout and the surrounding area. 
November of 2023 saw the donation of $130,000 from the Skip to Equip Committee, December of 2023 saw the donation of $150,000 from Morgan Fuels, January has seen the donation of $5000 made to the Foundation from the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout and the Sioux Lookout Bombers – Hockey fights Cancer Game.   The Foundation reached out to previous donors with a Christmas Card campaign.

On the horizon for the month of February – The 25th Annual Tree of Hearts Campaign is returning for 2024! Sales will begin on February 1st and lights can be purchased in person on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 11 and 2 at Fresh Market Foods or online at foundation.slmhc.on.ca. Lights ($10 each) can be dedicated in memory of or in honour of someone special to you and will be lit up from February 14th to February 29st.  Multiple trees located at Centennial Park, William A. “Bill” George Extended Care, and the courtyard area at SLMHC (sponsored by SLMHC and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout) will be donned in red lights and shining brightly during that time. It’s a great way to share the love for a great cause with 100% of this year’s campaign proceeds will go to SLMHC Foundation in support of our MRI Campaign.  For more information, contact Melissa at 
737-7997 or by email at foundation@slmhc.on.ca.

Follow SLMHC Foundation on Facebook and Instagram and visit SLMHC Foundation website for more details on upcoming events, news and support opportunities.