The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation has raised close to $700,000 thanks to fundraising that was matched during a gala fundraiser on Mar. 15.
According to foundation executive director Aimee Schofield, the gala had several silent auction prizes that raised $340,000 and thanks to a matching donation by Jim Pattison they were able to put forward $680,000 for the new Cowichan District Hospital.
Schofield says the fundraiser was a big hit, and the support that came in was overwhelming but much appreciated.
“We can’t thank the community enough,” she says. “It was absolutely phenomenal, we’re sitting with a record-breaking year raising $340,000 net, and thanks to Jimmy Pattison this amount is going to be doubled to bring our total to $680,000 in support of medical equipment in our community.”
Donations are still be accepted for three initiatives across the region including 43 beds and renovations for Cairnsmore Place, state-of-the-art medical equipment at the new Cowichan Hospital, and the Area of Greatest Need.
Foundation executive director Naomi Low said in an earlier interview their still raising money to provide all the equipment needed for all three projects, and this partnership with Jim Pattison is largest ever campaign which will help boost healthcare.
“Our incredible community has stepped up this far along,” she says. “We need the help to continue the momentum, to keep it going.”
The matching campaign to raise funds for the new hospital was made in January with the hopes of raising $20-million.
