Give the Gift of Care and Comfort through the Tree of Lights Campaign
Submitted by St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation.
Doris Hudder was an independent woman with a heart of gold. Living in the rolling hills of Wilno, Doris was spunky and spirited. She always made her family chuckle with her quick-witted humour. To everyone that knew her, she was an avid volunteer, a woman of great faith, and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Above: Holding a photo of their beloved mother outside St. Francis Memorial Hospital are Doris’ daughters, from left: Lorraine Coulter, Christine Hudder and Rosanne Hoffman. Doris always supported the hospital and encouraged her daughters to volunteer in different capacities for the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation. Photo supplied.
Up until 2020, Doris couldn’t imagine living anywhere else than home. She was 91 years old and enjoyed visits from her six children who visited often. Even when Doris was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy which affected her ability to walk, she had the help of her daughter Lorraine and son-in-law Craig, who lived with her and assisted with her day-to-day living.
But on September 29, 2020, Doris suffered a stroke. She was brought to Pembroke Regional Hospital for an intensive rehabilitation program.
“There was certainly every effort to try and get her walk again,” Doris’ daughter Rosanne Hoffman said. “But it just couldn’t happen.”
Having Doris in Pembroke during the Covid-19 pandemic proved difficult for the family. Given the restrictions at the time, each sibling took turns visiting to ensure that Doris had company during her rehabilitation. They would travel in inclement weather, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife along the way.
Despite her determination during rehab, it became clear that Doris would be unable to return home, as she faced complicating factors including high blood pressure. The plan switched to bring Doris as close to home as possible – to St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
Although Doris was a bit worried about how the move would affect her physically, when she safely arrived at her local Hospital, her worries melted away when RN Maureen Bloskie greeted Doris in Polish. And one of her card playing buddies, nurse Joanne Plebon, tended to Doris during her stay.
“It was a welcoming environment for her. The nurses made her feel as best they could. And they were familiar faces; that was huge to her,” Rosanne said. “We were all very grateful. It was so nice to have her closer to home.”
During her time at the Hospital, Doris was able to enjoy many programs in the recreation department. She would play cards, practice trivia, or watch the latest hockey game on television. And if she needed anything at all, such as a sweater or favourite blanket, one of her children could quickly run home to get it for her. Family members would stop by for a quick game of cards or to drop off her favourite scratch tickets.
This peace of mind, for both Doris and her children, would not be possible had it not been for some specialized pieces of equipment available in the medical unit at the local hospital. Items like vital signs monitors, blanket warmers, commode chairs, bedside cabinets, a wheelchair scale, mattresses and a portable patient lift are used by patients like Doris to ensure they have a safe and comfortable stay.
All of these pieces of equipment, which are critical to patient care in the medical unit, need to be replaced.
“Having new equipment like vital signs monitors, blanket warmers, commode chairs, bedside cabinets, a wheelchair scale, mattresses and portable patient lifts at St. Francis Memorial Hospital is invaluable to us as a Hospital,” Dr. Jason Malinowski said. “We simply could not function to our high standards or have the ability to allow patients to be close to family and friends without these vital pieces of equipment located inside the medical unit.”
Each piece of equipment that needs to be replaced at St. Francis Memorial Hospital provides an important role in the care and comfort of patients.
The new vital signs monitors provide real time data right at the bedside, will support efficiencies, and provide enhanced infection control to both patients and staff. Blanket warmers are used to comfort patients, and help to reduce anxiety for those in a new setting.
Commode chairs promote independence and dignity, especially in patients who are weak and can’t stand for long periods of time. New bedside cabinets will meet infection control standards and are used to store patient personal belongings and items.
Mattresses help provide comfort to patients when they need it the most. A wheelchair scale allows clinicians to get an accurate weight of a patient in a wheelchair, critical for treatments such as drug dosages. Finally, portable patient lifts are used to safely move patients to a treatment table such as ultrasound or x-ray.
Doris would have required the use of some of these items during her stay, and her family is grateful that she had access to the equipment that provided her with quality healthcare so close to home.
“She would often say, and it’s a quote – ‘They are very good to me here,’” Christine Hudder said about her mother. “That meant the world to us.”
Doris was transferred to hospice in March and passed away with her family by her side on June 1, 2021. She was 92 years old.
The Hudder family will be forever thankful to have their mother close to home during her final months, cared for and comforted by the exceptional staff at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. They are also thankful to have had the specialized medical equipment available to their mother when she needed it the most.
“She lived her life always wanting the best for us, so we wanted that in return for her,” Rosanne said.
Tree of Lights Campaign underway
Like most healthcare equipment, which is not covered by the government, these pieces of equipment do not come cheap. That’s why the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, which raises funds for local healthcare, is hoping to raise $75,000 this year to cover the cost of replacing the aging equipment in the medical unit at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
And while 2021 was another challenging year in terms of fundraising during Covid-19 restrictions, Executive Director Erin Gienow is confident that the campaign will meet its goal with the help of the community.
“Life as we know it has changed in many ways,” Gienow said. “It has not been an easy time. One thing that remains steadfast is the dedication and commitment that our donors continue to show to ensure that our wonderful caregivers have the equipment and tools they need to care for us all. We are inspired every day by the generosity of our supporters and are certainly optimistic that we will reach our goal to purchase new equipment for the medical unit at St. Francis.”
She added that medical equipment is expensive and is simply not funded by the government.
“Which is why we need your help,” Gienow explained. “When you give to the Tree of Lights Campaign, you are essentially Giving the Gift of Care and Comfort to patients at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.”
Early November, over 2,500 pieces of mail were folded, stuffed and checked twice by 15 volunteers. Several sponsors helped with the mailing costs of the campaign, including the Killaloe Lions Club, Palmer Lions Club and the Quadeville & District Service Club.
The pieces of mail accompany the Tree of Lights Campaign and are sent to community members along with a letter, donation form and bulb card. Donors can fill out the bulb card, dedicating their donation in memory, or honour of, a loved one. These bulb cards are prominently displayed at the hospital.
In past years, a public tree lighting ceremony takes place as a way to commemorate the Campaign. The Foundation will not be proceeding with the in-person tree lighting event this year. However, in keeping the spirit of the season alive, a virtual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. The video will air on the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Facebook page.
“Once again, our tree lighting will look a little different but we are so pleased to find a way to connect and continue this tradition together. Our customary tree will be lit at the Barry’s Bay Train Station and a second tree will be lit here on the grounds at the Hospital,” Gienow said. “As part of our virtual program, we will be featuring talented musicians, along with some other special surprises.”
If you would like to Give the Gift of Care and Comfort and received a letter in the mail, please fill out the donation card along with the bulb card and return to the Foundation at 7 St. Francis Memorial Drive, P.O. Box 129, Barry’s Bay, Ont. K0J 1B0. There are also drop boxes located at the Northern Credit Union and Bank of Montreal in Barry’s Bay.
Donations can also be made by calling 613-756-3045 ext. 217 or online at www.sfvhfoundation.com.
Thanks to several generous Match-It Sponsors including the Palmer Lions Club, St Francis Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and anonymous donors, you can double your gift to the Tree of Lights Campaign one day only, on Giving Tuesday, taking place November 30, 2021. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that happens each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a time when Canadians, charities and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support charities and non-profits.
The goal is to raise $5,000 that day, translating into $10,000 for the Tree of Lights Campaign thanks to Match-It Sponsors. Simply call the Foundation on Nov. 30 or visit www.sfvhfoundation.com, and your gift to the Tree of Lights Campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar.
“Every gift of support is important and very much appreciated no matter the size,” Gienow said.
The Tree of Lights Campaign runs until the end of December 2021.
