Pushor Mitchell / Kgh Foundation Gift For Life Campaign Reaches $1,000,000 Goal In 3 Months

The Pushor Mitchell sponsored KGH Foundation Gift for Life Campaign to upgrade new medical equipment and technology for KGH had reached it’s million dollar goal in just 3 months. The Campaign was co-chaired by Pushor Mitchell Partner Ron Solmer.

Alison Yesilcimen, KGH Foundation Board Chair says they are thrilled - yet again - with the support from the community, "The law firm of Pushor Mitchell, the sponsors of A Gift for Life: A Christmas Catalogue 2007, showed extraordinary vision and corporate leadership in championing KGH Foundation's quest to raise $1 million of funding this fiscal year for new medical equipment at KGH.  Campaign Chair, Ron Solmer, with co-chair Shirley-Anne Eccott, have worked tirelessly to showcase the need for new equipment and technology for all areas of care at KGH including the ER, ICU, pediatrics and neonatal, to cardiac and extended care."

Sarah Nelems, KGH Foundation Executive Director says the Foundation has partnered with two key donor partners to purchase a new technology upgrade for the MRI at KGH.  Ben Lee, President of the Rutland Auxiliary and Marilyn Strachan, President of the Kelowna General Hospital Auxiliary jointly pledged $570,000 or 60% of the new MRI technology from their coffers, which will upgrade the existing MRI at KGH.  Nelems hailed the joint venture between two of the six auxiliaries to KGHF "historic," calling this the biggest announcement to-date from the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation; "When we talk about having an impact, I think we can call this donation absolutely huge in terms of what our auxiliaries can do when they come together to make a major difference for our community."

The remaining 40% of the nearly $1 million price tag for the MRI upgrade will be funded by Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District.  Ron Solmer commented, "We have an excellent working relationship with the Regional Hospital District which has achieved excellent outcomes for the Hospice and the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit projects, just to name a few. We are very grateful for their partnership in purchasing this new upgrade in diagnostic imaging. There is no doubt, it will save lives."

The new upgrade in breast diagnostic imaging will revolutionalize screening for breast cancer in women, providing much more accurate and early diagnoses of cancer. Dr. Jan McIntosh, chief of staff at Kelowna General Hospital says the results of this upgrade will improve women's health dramatically, citing how the KGH Foundation, in partnership with other key stakeholders in Interior Health, is having a major impact on the quality and delivery of healthcare here in our community.