The Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit team at KGH (photo courtesy of the KGH Foundation)

By Liam Verster

Health Care Fundraising

Kelowna General Hospital Foundation fundraiser surges past $26M mark

Aug 14, 2024 | 12:53 PM

A Kelowna healthcare fundraising campaign has reached new heights.

The Kelowna General Hospital Foundation’s (KGH Foundation) Closer to Home Than You Think campaign has surpassed the $26-million mark, and continues to climb toward the goal of $40-million to be used to make changes to local health care services.

“The impact these donations have made already on wait times, patient outcomes, research quality, and workplace efficiency is nothing short of incredible,” Dr. Devin Harris, executive medical director, quality and patient safety for Interior Health, and campaign co-chair, stated.

“This campaign is so much more than just equipment, highly trained clinicians, innovation, and enhanced education. It’s an investment in the health of our community — our families, neighbours, friends, and coworkers — for generations to come.”

The campaign identified eight key areas in the local health care system that needed enhancements. Those were clinical and surgical excellence, women’s health, bone and joint care, health system innovation, cardiac care, brain health, and cancer care.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

17h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Having reached the $26-million mark, the KGH Foundation stated key steps could be taken to address those priority areas, including bringing into operation two new rooms in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit and two new rooms in the Coronary Care Unit; expanding the medical imaging department to include two new MRI suites; establishing KGH as a centre of excellence in brain health through training, research, innovation and leadership development; working collaboratively with partners to amplify impact, raise awareness, and create more holistic support systems for people with mental health; and creating a Centre of Health System Learning and Innovation. That is thanks in part to a $5-million donation from the Jim Pattison Foundation, which was the largest ever single-contribution in KGH’s history.

The KGH Foundation said the remaining $14-million it hopes to raise will be used to support surgical oncology, women’s health, and bone and joint care.

“This campaign is on track to support transformative change right here at home, and in some cases, across B.C.’s Interior,” Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation, said.

“The people who live in the Central Okanagan and surrounding communities deserve world-class care, close to home. This campaign ultimately helps to support better patient outcomes, retain and attract new specialists to our community, and build positive change across the system where it matters most – right here, where we live.”