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COUR T ESY OF BURN A BY HOSPITA L FOUNDATION B U R N A B Y H O S P I T A L F O U N D A T I O N Connecting You to What Matters Burnaby Hospital Foundation has been providing the community of Burnaby with access to progressive health care for 35 years F or 35 years, the Burnaby Hospital Foundation has been integral in helping provide the ourishing community of Burnaby with access to innovative health care. Its mission is simple: to ensure that Burnaby Hospital is well equipped to advance the health of all generations and maintain the vibrancy of the entire community. However, for the philanthropic arm of Burnaby Hospital it has taken the support of a devoted team to achieve this goal. Thanks to the Foundation's eight sta•, its Board of Trustees and the generous contributions from its many donors, the Foundation has witnessed immense success in raising funds for everything from state-of-the-art technolo-y and equipment, to training and community services. When the Foundation began in the 1980s, challenges in funding all of the hospital's needs were apparent. In order for Burnaby Hospital to satisfy the health-care needs of its community, the fundraising arm was born. "It became clear that the burdens on the health-care system would become increasingly challenging, and there was a need for hospitals to look outside the traditional model of being entirely government funded," explains Cheryl Becir, president and CEO of the Foundation. "Today, foundations hold the place as broker in not only raising money but in providing funds to enhance the continuum of care for all." As the city of Burnaby continues to evolve, so too does the Foundation. "We look at the hospital as a point on the health-care continuum, not the only point," explains Becir. While this still includes raising funds for equipment, technolo-y and services within the city's hospital walls, today's approach is far more holistic, incorporating health, mental health, education and wellness. From a proposed crowdfunding campaign that will provide funds for people in need with Compass Cards to allow them easier access to health-care services, to renovations at the Fellburn Residential Care facility for seniors, the Foundation is about looking at the bigger picture, and being proactive. "There are many pieces to the health- care puzzle, from having a safe place to live to having a social circle to having su'cient food and healthy food. In the end, it's about connecting you to what matters." P R O M O T E D C O N T E N T WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FOUNDATION'S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS? Seven years ago we led the "Because Life Can't Wait" MRI campaign, which resulted in a new MRI department at the hospital. Then in 2013 we provided funds to support the completion of the hospital's Emergency Supertrack; providing non-urgent patients faster access to emergency care at B.C.'s third busiest ER. WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION, WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST PRIDE? It has been our success and focus on keeping people out of the hospital, keeping seniors in their homes and providing the community with funds so people can access health-care services. Our goal is to support the construction of healthy communities and we remain committed to getting people the right care at the right time. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE FOUNDATION'S LATEST INITIATIVES? We support the Burnaby Partners in Seniors' Wellness program at four recreation centres in Burnaby where seniors gather, get their blood pressure checked and even have their feet massaged! Then there's the widow/ widower peer-counselling program, a perfect example of the mental health care initiatives we have in our community. philanthropic arm of Burnaby Hospital From a proposed MOST PRIDE? Our goal is to support the construction of healthy communities and we remain committed to getting people the right care at the right time. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE FOUNDATION'S LATEST INITIATIVES? CELEBRATING 35 YEARS An archival image from Burnaby Hospital; the 2015 Burnaby Hospital Foundation Summer Social bhfoundation.ca