St. Paul’s Foundation’s 24th annual fundraising campaign Lights of Hope has raised $3.6 million this holiday season, exceeding its fundraising goal of $3.5 million. The generous donations from the community will help St. Paul’s Foundation meet the greatest needs of patients and residents at St. Paul’s Hospital and Providence Health Care hospitals and long-term care homes across B.C.
“The past 18 months has been an exceptionally challenging time for our patients, residents and front-line workers. Many of our patients are at the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid overdose public health emergency, and adversely affected mental health,” says Dick Vollet, President and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “As our frontline teams continue to work tirelessly to provide the best care possible, we are so grateful to our corporate and individual donors, staff, and volunteers who help us meet the greatest needs of our patients and residents.”
Donations to Lights of Hope will support patients and programs like:
- Jamie Waterlow: from his living room window, Jamie can look out and see St. Paul’s Hospital: where his daughters were born; where he receives ongoing care; where he spent six months on the precipice between life and death.
- Music therapy for palliative care patients: Joshua Denny-Keys, certified music therapist, has the privilege of bringing music – and comfort – to patients during their end-of-life transition, sometimes even as they take their last breath.
Since the Lights of Hope lit up for the first time at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1998, the campaign has raised more than $47 million, funding urgently needed equipment, life-saving research, community programs, and other essential patient and resident services that would otherwise not be funded through traditional channels.
The Lights of Hope display will continue to shine nightly at St. Paul’s Hospital until January 7, 2022. Built by volunteers, the display inspires hope and donations, and is made up of donated materials. It features 4,000 feet of sparkling lights and hundreds of shining stars recognizing the support of generous donors.