The Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust raised $32,000 at their Aug.25 Barn Dance for a new haematology analyzer, and now have their sights set on their biggest fundraiser of the year — a formal gala in November.
For the last 20 years, the Trust has raised money for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital, funding a half dozen pieces of equipment the hospital would not have received otherwise. CFHT co-chair Richard Nelson said they’ve raised close to $2.5 million in those years.
At the barn dance held at the Jacobson Ranch, the first of its kind the Trust has held, Nelson said they had a sell-out, despite the somewhat chilly weather. He said the band, food and venue were great and enjoyed by all, something he thanks the Jacobsons for taking the time to prepare beforehand.
“Everybody had a great time, it went on into the wee hours of the morning,” Nelson said.
“We’re not sure whether we’re going to do it again but it was quite successful so it depends on if the Jacobson’s will let us use their ranch again.”
As a less formal event than their annual gala, Nelson said he was surprised at the event’s popularity and the different group of people it attracted. Still, the casual dance and barbecue was “very Cariboo” in his eyes and the 150 people who attended seemed to feel the same.
Nelson said members of the CFHT are now preparing for their next event, the aforementioned annual gala they hold every November at the Sacred Heart Community Hall, their biggest fundraiser for the year.
“Fortunately or unfortunately most of the tickets are already gone. We’re just about sold out, so if people are interested in tickets they can give their name to Joy Hennig at RE/MAX,” Nelson said.
With a traditional capacity of 200 to 225, ticket sales are already over 185 sold, so Nelson advises any who wish to go to buy their tickets quick.
The Trust is also looking for people to donate items for both silent and live auctions at this event, their primary source of funds from the night. As with previous years, the March Hare Band will be providing music for the evening that Nelson said never fails to get people on the dance floor from their first song to the last.
“What we’re trying to do, with all the equipment we buy, is trying to provide care for people in the Cariboo so they don’t have to travel,” Nelson said.
“We don’t have the specialists or equipment here, so then they have to go to Kamloops, Prince George or Kelowna or wherever it is.”
Haematology, the study of the blood and relate diseases, is an important service to have in Williams Lake. With the equipment they intend to buy with the funds they’ve raised, Nelson said doctors would be able to analyze blood in house rather than send it away, speeding diagnosis and treatment of potentially life threatening illnesses.
“Also, we find that if we have it here, we’ll get the doctors to come here and the specialists will come here. So it’s a build and they will come kind of thing, if we have the equipment here we can get the people to come and that’s what we want, we’d like to have a specialist here,” Nelson explained.
“Diagnosis is key, sooner the better and if you can do it here without the travel, do it.”
patrick.davies@wltribune.com
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