Moms and babies focus of new KGH fundraising initiative

KELOWNA – The “Giving Giggles” campaign has been launched to raise funds for KGH’s new Perinatal Unit, serving expectant mothers and newborn babies. The launch took place at Grant Thornton Kids of KGH Day, a celebration at Strathcona Park for all those born at KGH.

Hundreds of KGH Kids were on hand to witness the campaign launch, Sept. 20, which was kicked off with a $30,000 donation from title sponsor of the event, Grant Thornton.

The new Perinatal Unit is moving from its current location in the Strathcona Building, to the top floor of the new Interior Heart & Surgical Centre, and boasts significant upgrades including single-patient post-partum rooms and an expanded NICU.

“The KGH Foundation’s goal is always to take health care from a provincial standard to truly world class,” explains Foundation CEO, Doug Rankmore. “Everything from lifesaving equipment to those items that make the patient experience more comfortable.”

Bonnie Wilkie, NICU Educator at Kelowna General Hospital speaks to the new unit’s ability to provide better family centred care. “Our goal in our new unit is to continue to provide high quality medical care to our babies but to provide that care in an environment that attends to the needs of the entire family. We want to be able to discharge healthy ‘giggling’ babies to relaxed, knowledgeable and confident parents.”

The new Perinatal Unit will open in March 2016.

For more information on the unit and the fundraising campaign, visit givinggiggles.ca.