An annual campaign, organized by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, had one of the best years in its 31-year history as $207,644 was raised for new urology services at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
The amount raised through the Christmas Wish Tree campaign surpassed the Foundation's initial goal of $100,000. It also surpassed last year's campaign which raised $92,200 in support of CKHA Emergency and the Women and Children’s departments.
“I am constantly in awe of the kindness and generosity of the Chatham-Kent community and the commitment shown to our hospital,” said the Foundation's President and CEO Mary Lou Crowley. “Our community members consistently show compassion through their willingness to give and support the highest quality health care possible.”
Money raised during the campaign will be used to purchase a new urodynamics machine for the CKHA's Chatham site and a new bladder scanner for the Wallaceburg site.
The annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign allows residents an opportunity to celebrate the memory of a loved one by making a donation in their honour. For every donation made to the campaign, a light is added to the tree. The lighting ceremonies this year were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges, it presented an exciting opportunity for us to host our first-ever live broadcast of the tree lighting ceremonies at the CHKA’s hospital sites in Wallaceburg and Chatham,” said the Foundation's Board Chair Greg Hetherington. “We were able to reach a wider audience than ever before. It created an opportunity for everyone to see us light up our Christmas Wish Trees and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.”
The Foundation is thanking the community for support in the campaign. Much of its success is being attributed to Bob and Robin Hockney, who originally offered to match community donations up to $25,000, which raised more than anticipated.
The 31st Annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign officially ended on January 31.
