By Corey Fischer

Campaign Raises 97% of Goal

Dec 21, 2017 | 2:50 PM

Janie Crockett (left) and Agnes Sakakibara from the Japanese Women’s Association present a cheque to VJH Foundation director Kevin Arbuckle for the Foundation’s annual Light a Bulb Campaign.

While some local fundraisers are struggling to meet goals this season, that’s not the case for the Light a Bulb.

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s 30th annual campaign is at 97% of its goal, raising $244, 586 for new endoscopes in the Ambulatory Care Unit.

“We are very thankful to have received so many generous donations over the past week, including a gift of $30,000 from Grizzly Curb & Concrete,” says Lisa Westermark, VJH Foundation Executive Director. “The North Okanagan is an exceptionally generous community, offering support through business and personal donations, community initiatives and fundraising event proceeds.”

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Some of the generous donors this week include the Japanese Women’s Association, which raised funds from an annual spring chow mein fundraiser and fall bazaar. Melina Moore of Big Apple Productions and Valley Vocal Arts presented a benefit performance, ‘Music for a Winter’s Eve’ at All Saints Anglican Church December 20, with admission by donation to Light a Bulb.

Local business, Kals’ Naan Stop, is raising funds for the campaign through samosa sales until December 31st. Fifty per cent of proceeds from its bulk samosa sales will be donated to Light a Bulb. Samosas can be purchased Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at 3603 – 32nd Street.

Funds raised from Light a Bulb will purchase cancer screening endoscopes for the Ambulatory Care unit at VJH. Endoscopes are specialized tools used by surgeons and have flexible tubes with tiny, high definition cameras on the end. The images from the camera are projected on a screen, where the surgeon can see if there are any abnormalities. Many times, surgeons can deal with problems right at that moment and avoid any future issues for the patient – essentially curing cancer before it starts.

Get more details online at vjhfoundation.org.

All donations of $20 or more postmarked by December 31, 2017 will receive an official tax receipt for the 2017 tax year.

by Corey Fischer