This last February, the Family Birthing Center (FBC) of the Hôpital Montfort received a major boost from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation during their annual telethon presented in collaboration with TSN and Curling Canada.
Created more than 20 years ago, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation is a tribute to the Canadian curling legend who tragically succumbed to cancer at the age of 36. Its mission is to save the lives of babies born too early, too small or too sick, so that they have the chance to grow up to be champions like Sandra.
This year, even though their annual telethon was presented for the first time on the web, they raised a record amount of over $700,000! A gift of $35,000 was given to the FBC to purchase a specialized bed to accommodate newborns who require care at birth.
On April 4th, Lisa Weagle, Mentor of the Sandra Spirit Scholarship Program at the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, met with France Morin, Director of the Montfort Family Birthing Centre, Dr. Bernard Leduc, President & CEO of the Hôpital Montfort, Robert Rhéaume, President of the Montfort Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Marc Villeneuve, President & CEO of the Montfort Foundation, for the official presentation of the $35,000 gift and a tour of the facility. Ms.Weagle was very pleased to see the use of the heated newborn bed at the FBC nursery. All the nurses and doctors at the Family Birthing Centre are delighted to be able to work with this type of equipment, which provides exceptional comfort to newborns and reassures parents.
Since 2001, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation has donated nearly $7 million to more than 90 hospitals in every province and territory to purchase life-saving equipment for thousands of premature and critically ill newborns and their families. It is the only foundation that makes donations to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Canada.
But the Foundation’s work is not limited to equipment and machinery. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation has transformed the lives of thousands of families.
Give to the campaign in support of the Family Birthing Centre fundraising campaign. See our needs and how your gifts are making a difference.
