Over the past five years, the Children's Hospital Foundation has run a Better Futures Campaign with a goal of $75 million, yet they recently announced the amount donated far exceeded expectations.
"The revival of the Teddy Bear's Picnic was incredible," says Stefano Grande, the CEO and President of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. "Thousands upon thousands of kids and strollers and families came out to engage in a fun day of activities and learning. Thousands of teddy bears and stuffies went through the triage tent, and seeing these children interacting with our researchers, nurses, and doctors was quite the sight to see."
At the Teddy Bear Picnic that took place at the Assiniboine Park on September 8, a big announcement was made regarding the Better Futures Campaign.
"Over the last five years, our community has been fundraising," says Grande. "Our goal was $75 million to help transform our children's hospital to help accelerate research. We announced that we exceeded that five-year goal and we landed on $86 million. It's been such a humbling experience to see how philanthropy can create change in the healthcare system for our kids."
Over 90 per cent of the money raised is already being used to create better care for children in need of medical care in Winnipeg, according to Grande.
"We look at the new Travis Price Cardiac Centre, it's a shining example of, how when we ask our community to help us improve the lives of over 6,000 kids, they do. We have two brand-new diagnostic laboratories, a new fluoroscopy lab, a new cath lab, our community has built a wonderful outdoor playspace for kids who have to stay overnight, and we've built an indoor playspace. The list goes on and on."
Some of the main areas of research that will be explored further with some of the donations are in diabetes, mental health, oncology and autism.
"Research is critical to care," said Nichola Wigle, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba in a press release. "It is the best way to advance knowledge to treat sick and injured children and prevent children from getting sick in the first place. Research ensures new knowledge and the latest evidence in care, equipment, and best practices are used in a variety of healthcare settings across Manitoba. We thank the Foundation, the donors and partners, and we ask that more remarkable forward-thinking donors continue caring for kids by funding child health research. Your investments will continue to create better futures for kids."
The generosity has come from all across Manitoba to raise these funds.
"I'm thankful for the generosity of Manitobans. We knew Manitobans would respond to this call to action. We're thankful that our hospital and scientific leadership put the challenge to us and said we need to improve the oldest children's hospital in Canada. We're thankful for our donors and the amount of giving. The amount of giving unselfishly is something I will remember forever."