Marking the beginning of St. Paul’s Foundation’s annual Lights of Hope giving campaign, fireworks and more than 100,000 sparkling lights lit up the night sky at St. Paul’s Hospital on the evening of Friday, November 16th.
A heartwarming holiday tradition, Lights of Hope raises funding that enables St. Paul’s Foundation to meet the greatest needs of patients, residents and their loved ones. The display will be lit nightly until January 7th, 2019. This year, Lights of Hope displays will be shining bright at other Providence Health Care hospitals and seniors homes through the months of November and December.
Since 1998, community donations to Lights of Hope have totaled more than $34 million. The annual campaign directly supports sites and programs across Providence Health Care, funding urgently needed equipment, life-saving research, items and services that are essential for patients and residents, and community programs, which would otherwise not be funded through traditional channels.
Inspiring hope and donations, the spectacular display made up of donated materials, 10 kilometers of string lights, and around 200 stars was built by 150 volunteers in what has become a Vancouver holiday tradition.
“For over two decades, millions of dollars in much needed funding has been raised due to the incredible support of all of our donors,” says Dick Vollet, President and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “With the help of the community, we have been able to make a direct impact on tens of thousands of patients annually, through purchasing life-saving equipment and supplies, supporting world-class research and enhancing the patient and residential care experience. I couldn’t be more thankful for the kindness and generosity shown by the public each year, and I am excited to bring the spirit and joy of Lights of Hope to Providence Health Care’s senior’s homes in 2018.”
Donations to Lights of Hope help buy medical equipment and fund important quality of life programs for patients and residents in Providence Health Care’s hospitals and care homes. Funding supports the work of Holy Family Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St Michael’s Centre, St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, St. Vincent’s: Honoria Conway-Heather, St. Vincent’s: Langara, and Youville Residence, and St. Paul’s Hospital.
Over the past year, St. Paul’s Hospital provided care for more than 190,000 patients who made over 500,000 visits to the hospital, with the Emergency Department alone providing care to 88,000 patients.
The community is encouraged to donate to Lights of Hope and support St. Paul’s greatest needs today at lightsofhope.com.
About St. Paul’s Foundation
St. Paul’s Foundation raises funds to support compassionate, inspired care at Providence Health Care’s 17 health care sites in BC, including St. Paul’s Hospital. The funds we raise help put patients and residents first, through a collaborative, integrated approach that includes the best in clinical care, world-class research and education. Through fundraising and strategic partnerships, the Foundation supports Providence – a founding member of Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster – in building on its long history of innovation, leading research and advancements in care for the people of British Columbia and beyond.