Lawyers donate $10,000 to Kelowna General Hospital

KELOWNA – A group of respected, local lawyers are giving back to their community to support babies and new mothers at Kelowna General Hospital.

The law firm Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP has presented a cheque for $10,000 to the KGH Foundation’s ‘Giving Giggles’ campaign, a fundraising effort to support the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment and patient care items for the new perinatal unit, which opened this past March.

“Family is absolutely central to our core values,” says firm partner, Peter MacPherson, who is also Vice-Chair of the KGH Foundation’s Board of Directors.  “It is important for us as citizens, neighbours, and parents and grand-parents to be able to support our community in a meaningful way.  We know that this gift will make a difference for new parents and babies in the region.”

The new perinatal unit at KGH has been celebrated as the most advanced in the region.  While the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District provided the initial infrastructure funding, the ‘Giving Giggles’ campaign represents a $3 million commitment to providing equipment and comfort items to support family-centered care.  

The Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy gift will go towards the purchase of medical equipment and patient comfort items that will significantly enhance the standard of care within the unit. The state-of-the-art environment not only allows doctors and nurses to do their work more efficiently, but allows them to give more time and attention to the heart of their work – patients and families.

“The province provides for a good standard of care for our littlest patients and their families. However, the Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy donation helps us take delivery to the next level and provides for the extras that may not be otherwise available,” notes Doug Rankmore, Chief Executive Officer at the KGH Foundation. “We are very grateful for their generosity.”

“As staff nurses, we really appreciate the support that we get from the community,” says Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse Educator, Bonnie Wilkie. “These gifts make a huge difference for babies and families. And for us too.”