A concept image of the JoeAnna's House expansion (photo courtesy of the KGH Foundation)

By Liam Verster

Additional 10 Rooms

Community support sought for JoeAnna’s House expansion

Oct 29, 2024 | 3:07 PM

The Kelowna General Hospital Foundations is asking for public support in it’s JoeAnna’s House fundraiser.

The KGH Foundation wants to expand JoeAnna’s House with an additional 10 rooms to help house people from out of community seeking medical treatment at the hospital.

In order to make the expansion, the Foundation launched a $5.3-million fundraising campaign

“It breaks my heart to have to turn away families during their time of need,” Darlene Haslock, director of JoeAnna’s House, said, noting that since 2019 more than 950 families had to be turned away due to a lack of space.

“Many of them are already facing unimaginable challenges. Add to this having to sleep in cars or hospital hallways, just to stay close to their loved ones.”

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The 20-room JoeAnna’s House facility was established through community contributions, and the Foundation hopes the public comes together to support the expansion.

“Since JoeAnna’s House opened five years ago, the population of B.C.’s Interior has grown tremendously, and we continue to expand vital services at KGH to decrease the number of people who must travel for advanced medical care,” Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation, said.

“Hospital beds at KGH have increased from 400 when we opened to 497 today, and with the ongoing growth of our region, we anticipate even further need. While an expansion was always part of our vision for JoeAnna’s House, the support of our board and donors, alongside the increasing need, gives us the confidence to act now to enhance our capacity and prepare for the future.”

Anyone who wants to support the expansion can visit the JoeAnna’s House website.