A campaign has helped raise $5,600 to purchase three special reclining chairs for the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) at Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH).
The unit was in dire need of the chairs, which allow parents to have skin-to-skin contact with their premature infants.
In the meantime, they were borrowing two chairs from another area of the hospital which would eventually need them back.
The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) put out a plea on social media to raise the funds for the needed chairs. Each chair costs $1,700, and four were required.
After seeing the post, Victoria Cawkwell rallied the community, resulting in local families and businesses in Matsqui raising $5,600 in a short time. Some of the contributors have had personal experiences with the ARH NICU.
FVHCF executive director Liz Harris said the contribution enabled the foundation to purchase three of the four needed chairs.
“We are very grateful to everyone that has come forward to support this urgent need,” she said.
Donations to purchase the fourth chair can be made by contacting the FVCHF office at 604-85-4890 or at info@fvhcf.ca.
The FVHCF raises funds for vital equipment and programs funded or endorsed by the Fraser Health Authority. They serve the communities of Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.
