The Airdrie Health Foundation (AHF) is ecstatic after their Light Up The Night fundraiser held at the end of last month broke new ground in raising money for health care priorities in the city.  

270 people turned out for the 4th annual event and raised just over $110,000 to support the three chosen projects of the night.  They included the AHS/RCMP Mental Health Liasion Team, the Pregnancy and Beyond Program and the new Telemedicine Project that will allow Airdrie residents to access specialized care.

However, the three feature programs of the night were only a start.  Foundation Chair Michelle Bates says this year's gala also helped acquire much needed medical equipment identified by Airdrie's frontline medical staff as high priorities.

"This year we had an equipment table that guests could come and see what these items were that were needed and, for those that wanted to, pick out what items they wanted to put their money toward.  Sometimes people say, 'we don't know where our money is going,' but they actually got to pick what they wanted to put their money to."

The items included a Wound Care Chair, HeartMath Sensors, support for theAddictions and Mental Health Day Program and a Baby Warmer for Urgent Care.

The health foundation was particularly pleased that the gala proved to be a successful launching point for their new Annual Giving Campaign.  Bate explains, "To keep these projects and equipment and everything going, we do need monthly donors.  We were able to launch that campaign at our gala and we were really honoured and blessed that we got 20 new monthly donors that signed up the night of the gala."

The Airdrie Health Foundation was established after Bates’ five-year-old son Lane became suddenly and seriously ill during the night in 2009. At that time Airdrie had no access to 24-hour emergency medical care and it was impossible to access the necessary medical help in time to save Lane. “The gala is a bittersweet experience for my family because it is a time that we share our son’s story,” said Bates. “But it is also a reminder that Lane is still able to help others and make an impact through the work of the foundation.”

Bates began work in 2011 as a strong community voice towards ensuring 24-Hour Urgent Care for Airdrie, which the foundation successfully gained for Airdrie in 2017.

Bates says plans are already underway for next year's gala which will continue to raise the bar on their fundraisers.    

Questions? Comments? Story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com