Bearspaw Community First Presents
Welcome to a night for NICU
June 15, 2024 • Fernie, B.C.
The community needs us more than ever and we’re showing up, louder than ever, bringing together a world-class concert, dedicated to raising $1.8 million for this crucial addition to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital. This initiative responds to a critical need, as currently, newborns in the East Kootenay who are premature or have health complications must be airlifted to Kelowna, Kamloops, or Vancouver to receive the life-saving care they need.
The NICU, with a total project cost of $3.16 million, is a collaborative effort between the Province of BC, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District, East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH), and now Bearspaw Community First. With a current shortfall of $1.8 million, The Bearspaw Community First Foundation, with the help of The Festival Company and the Canadian Country Music Community, has come together to support and reach its goal of $1.8 million to build the NICU.
To bring this dream to reality, A Night For NICU will gather some of Canada’s top Country Music Talent for a once-in-a-lifetime intimate concert, nestled on a beautiful farm, within walking distance to Fernie. This extraordinary event is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of families in our community. With your generous support, you will be helping hundreds of families grow together and thrive. Music heals in many ways, and this June, you will feel the healing magic as the music moves through the East Kootenays and dances on the stars.
For sponsors contributing over $50,000, we are thrilled to offer an exclusive opportunity: a Ferrari driving experience. Step into the driver’s seat of luxury, as your support propels us closer to our vision of a thriving NICU. Your generosity will not only be celebrated but also experienced firsthand, as you revitalize the dreams of families in need.
This event is a private event and packages can be purchased, as well as donations made, through Tara Cleave at [email protected].
More about the NICU:
The addition of a Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to East Kootenay Regional Hospital will help keep care for these newborns and their families in the region. The NICU will provide new specialized equipment and healthcare professionals, allowing more newborns to receive care in the East Kootenay. This will save new parents and families from long, stressful, and expensive hospital stays across the province.
At a Tier 3 NICU, services can be provided to newborns of at least 34 weeks gestation and at least 1,800 grams or four pounds in weight, who present moderate risk requiring acute care. This higher level of specialized care means an urgent/emergent baby born at a minimum of 32 weeks gestation and at least 1,500 grams or 3.3 pounds with appropriate weight for gestational age may be able to remain at EKRH as well. It also means babies who have received a higher level of care away from the East Kootenay will be able to return to the region quicker.
The NICU upgrade will bring the East Kootenay Regional Hospital one step closer to truly providing regional services.
For more information or if you would like to support Welcome To A Night For NICU please email Tara Cleave at [email protected]
For press and media inquiries please contact Billie Jo Aasen at [email protected]
