For Immediate Release March 12, 2022

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS 

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) has announced the recipients of its first Grant Funding Program. The 2022 successful applicants include the Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department, Meadow Park Sports Centre, Options for Sexual Health, Whistler Search & Rescue, Whistler Community Services Society, Squamish Helping Hands Society, Spearhead Huts Society, and Spring Creek Community School.

Supported by the Goudge Family Foundation, over $50,000 in funding has been awarded to local non-profits in the Sea to Sky Corridor through this program. The objective of the program was to widen the Foundation’s support of health care initiatives and to help other organizations provide a diverse range of health care initiatives within the community.

The successful projects included initiatives such as the procurement of life-saving equipment as well as first aid and other medical equipment, emergency shelter programming, primary care support, sexual health services, youth first aid training, and senior’s physical health support.

“We were very happy with the variety and quality of the applications we received,” said Carol Leacy, WHCF Chair. “It is inspiring to see the breadth of health-care related initiatives that our community is undertaking, and we are grateful to be able to contribute to their funding. Thanks go out to the Goudge Family and the community for their generous support in making this happen.”

“The Goudge Family Foundation is honoured to have supported the diverse and worthy recipients of this Grant program that the Whistler Health Care Foundation extended to the larger health field,” said David Goudge of the Goudge Family Foundation.

Tessa Spicer, coordinator for Options for Sexual Health Whistler, one of the foundations recipients, noted, “With these funds we will be able to extend our sexual health services to provide more members of Whistler's community with inclusive, non-judgemental sexual health education and care. We are proud to serve this community and feel fortunate to have local groups such as the Whistler Health Care Foundation and Goudge Family Foundation that support improving access to sexual health care in Whistler.”

The Whistler Health Care Foundation plans to make Grant Funding an annual program. Local non-profits are encouraged to sign up for the WHCF newsletter through their website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram to keep informed of future grant funding dates and criteria. 

About the Health Care Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Whistler Health Care Foundation is a registered non-profit that advocates for and financially assists in the provision of health care services, facilities and equipment to benefit Whistler’s 12,000 permanent residents and 3.48 million annual visitors. Donors to the foundation support the funding and distribution of money required to meet Whistler’s urgent and greatest health care needs. For more information, visit www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Sharon Tyrrell, Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Foundation info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org

For Immediate Release November 24, 2021

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM FOR HEALTH CARE

INITIATIVES 

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) is excited to announce the launch of the WHCF GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM. With support from the Goudge Family Foundation, the new program will award grants of up to $10,000 for health care related projects and initiatives that benefit the Sea to Sky community. Qualified applicants can apply for funding beginning December 1, 2021 with the deadline for applications of January 15, 2022. More information about the program is available on the Whistler Health Care Foundation website at www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org

“We are very excited to launch the inaugural WHCF Grant Funding Program” says Carol Leacy, chair of WHCF. “Most of the initiatives the WHCF has supported in the past, including the trauma room upgrade and equipment purchases, have been through Vancouver Coastal Health. We hope this new program will raise awareness that the WHCF’s mandate includes supporting all health care-related initiatives in the Sea to Sky corridor, and allow us to fund a wider diversity of health care needs. This program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the community and the Goudge Family Foundation, and for that we are extremely grateful.”

David Goudge of the Goudge Family Foundation states; “We are very pleased to support local initiatives that often struggle to find funding to continue their dedication towards health care in Whistler and our neighbouring communities in the Sea to Sky Corridor.”



All non-profit groups with health care related initiatives are encouraged to apply for the WHCF Grant Funding Program. Application forms and additional information are available on the Whistler Health Care Foundation website at www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org

About the Health Care Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Whistler Health Care Foundation is a registered non-profit that advocates for and financially assists in the provision of health care services, facilities and equipment to benefit Whistler’s 12,000 permanent residents and 3.48 million annual visitors. Donors to the foundation support the funding and distribution of money required to meet Whistler’s urgent and greatest health care needs. For more information, visit www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Sharon Tyrrell, Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Foundation info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org

For Immediate Release January 19, 2021

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION SURPASSES $1.5 MILLION FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR TRAUMA ROOM UPGRADES AT THE WHISTLER HEALTH CARE CENTRE

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) has announced that it has surpassed its $1.5 million fundraising goal to upgrade the trauma rooms at the Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC).

The campaign to raise funds for the trauma rooms at the 25-year-old Whistler Health Care Centre began at the end of 2019 and is the largest single campaign undertaken by the WHCF. The project, 100% funded by this campaign, will increase the size and functionality of the current trauma rooms allowing easy access to all available equipment, improve medical staff access and technical upgrades. This will allow critical patients to continue to receive the highest quality of care.

“Thanks to the overwhelming support from the community, Vancouver Coastal Health is slated to start upgrades to the trauma rooms in the spring,” says Sandra Cameron, Chair of the WHCF. “The WHCF and Vancouver Coastal Health would like to extend our gratitude to all the community members and local businesses for their contribution in making this happen. In exceeding our fundraising goal, we can finance any unexpected project overruns. As well, additional equipment can be purchased or services supported where needed.”

“It’s great news to hear that the Whistler Health Care Foundation has reached their fundraising goal to support the trauma room upgrades at Whistler Health Care Centre. These upgrades will make a big difference for staff and physicians, and for people requiring a higher level of care. Thank you to everyone in the community who contributed to this campaign,” noted Sean Parr, Vancouver Coastal Health Director, Sea to Sky Acute Services, Whistler Health Care Centre, Pemberton Health Centre.

The WHCF would like to thank all of its generous donors and supporters with a special mention to the following donors:

Visionary Donors:
GFL Environmental, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

Futurist Donors:
The Rockowitz Family, Squamish Hospital District

Innovator Donors
Katz Amsterdam Foundation, Creekside Market, Delesalle & the Dayhu Group of Companies, Houssian Foundation, The John K. Sloan Family

Additional thank you to the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District for their funding commitment to this project. 

Media Inquiries:

Sharon Tyrrell, Coordinator Whistler Health Care Foundation

info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org 

For Immediate Release January 15, 2021

ROCKOWITZ FAMILY DONATES $100,000 TO THE WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION TRAUMA ROOM PROJECT
Rockowitz donation brings the WHCF fundraiser over its goal

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) is pleased to announce that thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Rockowitz Family, the WHCF has reached its fundraising goal for upgrades to the trauma rooms at the Whistler Health Care Centre.

“On behalf of the Whistler Health Care Foundation, we would like to thank the Rockowitz Family for their generous donation,” says Sandra Cameron, Chair of the WHCF. “Their donation combined with the overwhelming support from the community has put us over the top. We can now move forward with modernizing the Whistler Health Care Centre trauma rooms”.

“I’m very happy to help and support the Trauma Room Upgrade Project. It’s a very important project for the Whistler community. My family and I have been associated with and have had a deep love for Whistler over the last 30 years. Congratulations to those who contributed to this amazing project,” says Bruce Rockowitz.

Construction to the 25-year-old trauma rooms is scheduled to begin in Spring 2021 and will bring state of the art equipment and technology to the outdated rooms. The renovation will increase the usable space and significantly improve the functionality. These improvements will ensure that the Whistler Health Care Centre’s most critical patients continue to receive the highest quality of care.

About the Health Care Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Whistler Health Care Foundation is a registered non-profit that advocates for and financially assists in the provision of health care services, facilities and equipment to benefit Whistler’s 12,000 permanent residents and 3.48 million annual visitors. Donors to the foundation raise funds to help provide money required to meet Whistler’s urgent and greatest health care needs. For more information, visit www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Sharon Tyrrell
Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Foundation info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org 

For Immediate Release December 22, 2020 

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION RECEIVES $100,000 DONATION FROM THE SQUAMISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FOR TRAUMA ROOM EQUIPMENT AT THE WHISTLER HEALTH CARE CENTRE

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) and the Squamish Hospital Foundation are pleased to announce the donation of $100,000 by the Squamish Hospital Foundation to purchase equipment/surgical booms for the trauma rooms at the Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC).

“The contribution from the Squamish Hospital Foundation is a great boost to our campaign as we quickly approach our target,” says Sandra Cameron Chair of the WHCF. “These funds will be used to help purchase new state-of-the-art equipment needed to bring the facility one step closer to modernization and aligning with current best practices and healthcare standards.”

The campaign to raise funds for the Trauma Room upgrade at the 25-year-old WHCC began at the end of 2019 and is the largest single campaign undertaken by the WHCF. The project cost of $1.5 million will increase the size and functionality of the current trauma rooms allowing easy access to all available equipment, improved medical staff access and technical upgrades so critical patients can continue to receive the highest quality of care.

“The Squamish Hospital Foundation is proud of our continued partnership with the Whistler Health Care Foundation,” says Karen Vanzella, Squamish Hospital Foundation President. “Our foundations have had a long history of working together to enhance healthcare services in the region. This includes the upgrade of all healthcare facilities in the Sea to Sky in preparation of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Squamish General Hospital ER expansions in 2001 and 2009 through 2011, as well as the ongoing SGH orthopaedic surgical suite expansion over the last two years. The upgrade of the trauma rooms at the Whistler Health Care Centre is an important step in enhancing care for those living in and visiting the Sea to Sky region.”

About the Squamish Hospital Foundation:

The Squamish Hospital Foundation is committed to enhancing healthcare in the sea to sky community. We work with our many partners, including the Whistler Healthcare Foundation, to ensure that our community is able to access the healthcare they need when and where they need it. With the valuable help of our donors and community support, essential funds are raised to provide and advance local patient care within the Sea to Sky Corridor. Your contributions help to enhance everything from maternity care to mental health services, long term care to orthopaedics. We are committed to the health of our community.

About the Whistler Health Care Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Whistler Health Care Foundation is a registered non-profit that advocates for and financially assists in the provision of health care services, facilities and equipment to benefit Whistler’s 12,000 permanent residents and 3.48 million annual visitors. Donors to the foundation raise funds to help provide money required to meet Whistler’s urgent and greatest health care needs. For more information visit www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

Media Inquiries:

Sharon Tyrrell
Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Foundation

info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org

Sophie Moore
Fundraising, Administrative & Communications Coordinator

Squamish Hospital Foundation

squamishhospitalfoundation@gmail.com 

For Immediate Release October 8, 2020

SEA TO SKY REGIONAL HOSPITAL DISTRICT COMMITS

$500,000 TO SUPPORT THE TRAUMA ROOM UPGRADES AT THE WHISTLER HEALTH CARE CENTRE

Whistler, British Columbia – The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) is pleased to announce a commitment of $500,000 by the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District (SSRHD) for upgrades to the Whistler Health Care Centre trauma rooms.

The campaign to raise funds for the upgrades at the 25-year old Whistler Health Care Centre began at the end of 2019, and is the largest single campaign undertaken by the WHCF. The project will increase the usable size and improve the functionality of the current trauma rooms so critical patients can continue to receive the highest quality of care. The total cost will be $1.5 million. The commitment from the SSRHD brings the fundraising campaign total to over $1 million.

“We would like to sincerely thank the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District for their commitment,” says Carol Leacy, vice chair of the WHCF. “We know there are many competing needs for health care funding at this time, and this significant commitment is an acknowledgement of the importance of this project to the Whistler community and it’s visitors. Having the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District as a supporter as well as major contributor, will help us moving forward to successfully complete our fundraising efforts in the community.”

“The Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District is pleased to support the Whistler Health Care Foundation’s trauma rooms upgrade project at the Whistler Health Care Centre. This facility is vital to our community. There was a desperate need for the health care centre when it was built 25 years ago, and, today, with growing communities and increased visitation to the area, demands on the facility are greater than ever before. This project will mean that world-class patient care can continue to be provided with life-saving equipment and modern facilities that can meet the growing demand,” notes Jen Ford, Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District Chair.

The Whistler Health Care Foundation fundraising campaign for the trauma rooms is still in need of support. The community is invited to visit the WHCF website for more information or to donate.

About the Health Care Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Whistler Health Care Foundation is a registered non-profit that advocates for and financially assists in the provision of health care services, facilities and equipment to benefit Whistler’s 12,000 permanent residents and 3.48 million annual visitors. Donors to the foundation raise funds to help provide money required to meet Whistler’s urgent and greatest health care needs. For more information, visit www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

About the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District

Health care in British Columbia is governed, planned, and delivered by five regional health authorities. Residents pay for the costs of building local hospitals and purchasing equipment through their property taxes, with the funds being administered by a regional hospital district. Regional hospital districts are governed under the

provincial Hospital District Act.

Taxpayers in Electoral Areas C and D of the Squamish-Lillooet-Regional District
(SLRD), the Village of Pemberton, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the District of Squamish are part of the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District (SSRHD). The Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District Board includes the Electoral Area C and D Directors of the SLRD, along with the Municipal SLRD Directors from the Village of Pemberton, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the District of Squamish.

Media Inquiries

Sharon Tyrrell
Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Foundation info@whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org