FSJ Hospital Foundation updates Memorial Wall Campaign

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation has added 24 new names to its Memorial Wall. 

According to a Facebook post on the foundation’s page on July 17, the foundation said it has updated the Memorial Wall with new names to honour people whose memories impact the community through gifts to health care. 

Megan Rader, the foundation’s executive director, said the wall is updated every year in April and it has been a long-standing tradition at the hospital foundation. 

“It’s basically a reflection of the in-memory campaigns, friends and family have created in memory of a loved one that has passed on,” she explained. 

Since the 1990s, this campaign has raised approximately $4.28 million. 

Rader said many people start with a minimum donation of $25 and continue donating to their loved ones throughout the year or when special birthdays or anniversaries come up. 

“We reach out to the families and the loved ones when their campaign has ended up hitting $1,000 and let them know we’ll be adding them to our memory wall,” Rader said. 

This year, Rader said 24 members have been added to the wall, which is located between the main hospital lobby and Peace Villa. 

The funds raised through the In-Memory campaign will go toward the foundation’s Greatest Need Fund. 

She said, “From that fund, we’re able to delegate funds to specific pieces of equipment throughout the hospital.” 

“So any department can access these funds with their applications.” 

In the past, the foundation has been able to fund a portable ultrasound, a transport monitor for the ER and ICU and a temperature management system in the ICU. 

Rader said she would like to invite the community to view the updated memorial wall and apologized for the late update. 

“These special gifts, they’re made in memory of loved ones,” she said. “They’re such a beautiful way to remember those who have passed on.” 

She said these gifts have a lasting impact on the community and the hospital and enhance patient care in Fort St. John.

“We couldn’t be more appreciative, at the hospital, that you choose to honour your loved ones in this way and let us be a part of that,” Rader said. 

People who would like to contribute to the campaign can either build their own campaign using the memorial wall dropdown on the foundation’s website or visit the foundation’s office.