Thursday, April 25 was the KGH Foundation’s third annual Day of Giving, and the community showed up in record-breaking fashion. In total, an unbelievable $1,042,761 was raised, giving the KGH Foundation’s $7 million campaign for cardiac care a massive and overwhelming boost.
“Quite frankly, I’m still in shock,” said an emotional Doug Rankmore, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “It’s clear the need is real, and felt by so many across the valley.”
The “need” references the final component of the Interior Health Cardiac Science Program, which serves over 1 million residents in BC’s interior. Advanced Heart Rhythm Services, the study of the heart’s electrical system, are not currently offered at KGH, meaning patients with cardiac arrhythmias must travel to heart centres in Vancouver or Victoria, often waiting weeks for treatment. But soon, thanks in large part to the Day of Giving, patients will have access to this lifesaving cardiac specialty, right here at KGH.
The Day was a success on many fronts, far surpassing financial expectations, which made for some interesting last-minute accounting. The well-publicized matching donors, Darrell and Margaret Porubanec, learned halfway through the day that their match cap of $250,000 had been reached, and that the Day of Giving total was about to exceed half a million dollars.
“Speechless!” exclaimed Margaret of how she reacted when she heard the news. “I guess our community likes a challenge!”
“In all seriousness, we couldn’t be more proud to live in Kelowna and be surrounded by so many giving individuals. This is a cause that’s very close to our hearts. Our son required and will continue to require heart rhythm services, and soon it will be available here. How amazing to witness such true acts of community philanthropy today.”
Indeed, residents of the central Okanagan responded in a big way. And thanks to a second donor, who chose to remain anonymous, all donations above the Porubanec match threshold were also doubled.
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KGH Foundation CEO Doug Rankmore says, "The matching gift so generously provided by the Porubanec family, they provided a challenge to the community of up to 250 thousand dollars. That number has already been exceeded. Even more incredibly, we've had another donor come forward and agree to continue the matching."
Rankmore says when you include all dollar matching, the donation total as of early this afternoon was in excess of 650 thousand dollars with more to come.
Your donations this year go to the KGH Cardiac Care Unit.
Dr. Frank Halperin says, "Right now we provide outstanding care in certain aspects of cardiac treatments, but we have one piece missing and that's advanced electrophysiology. We're really excited that we're moving towards this and by June of next year, we'll be a full service cardiac centre for all patients here in Kelowna and throughout the interior."
Halperin says once the full program is in place, patients will no longer have to travel to Vancouver or Victoria for more complicated procedures.
You can Text HEART to 45678 to donate $10 automatically or click here for the donation page on our website.