‘Care From The Heart’ fundraiser a boost for local health care

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on February 14, 2025.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Cardiologist Sayeh Zielke speaks to radio hosts about the Bringing Hearts Home campaign Thursday during the Care From The Heart Day radio-a-thon fundraising at the Chinook Regional Hospital atrium.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The annual “Care From The Heart Day” fundraising took place Thursday with a goal of raising $400,000 for the Chinook Regional Hospital through the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation.

Crystal Elliot, CEO of the CRH Foundation spoke to reporters Thursday and said it was exciting to have a live radio-a-thon once again for the event, after a five year hiatus.

“The idea that all of our local media, all six radio stations, the newspaper and TV stations are coming together to promote raising funds for such a good cause is absolutely phenomenal,” said Elliot.

She said that just before 11 a.m. they were already sitting at $25,000 but with a goal of $400,000 they needed a lot of help reaching their goal.

 “We need every person in Lethbridge to make a donation, any amount matters, whether it’s $5 or $50 or $200, it’s dependent on the person and what they feel they can give. And we are so appreciative of every single dollar raised,” said Elliot. 

She said money raised goes towards purchasing new equipment, special projects, and programs for the Chinook Regional Hospital.

“We’re currently working on a cardiac campaign towards raising $30 million over the next 30 months. We have so much going on, and this is just one component of how we can come together in different ways, with different individuals to reach our goals,” said Elliot.

Elliot mentioned that since the Bringing Hearts Home campaign is raising funds for a cardiac area within the hospital, some of the funds raised by the Care From The Heart Day would go towards that as well.

“We haven’t said a specific amount yet because it’s based on greatest need, but all of our fund raising goes towards all of our projects and we divide them out based on the need at the time. So, yes, a portion of it I’m sure will be going towards the Bringing Hearts Home campaign,” said Elliot.

When talking about being able to raise funds for the hospital through the CRH Foundation, Elliot said it is a true privilege.

“I think we’re honoured to be able to do that. That people trust us with their donations because they know their money will go to the right place.”.

Elliot said many don’t realize the importance of donating to the hospital, as it is a place where everyone at some point or another will need to visit.

 “Health care impacts everyone, all of us are going to need it at some point in all age groups, right from birth to death. It’s a service that everyone of us accesses, and it’s really important that we all contribute to make health care the best we can for one another,” said Elliot.

One of those contributors is Costco Lethbridge and Elliot said they have been contributing to the Care From The Heart campaign for the last 30 years.

“Their donations are dedicated toward paediatrics, so part of the donation of this year I think, we are in discussions about cardiac Paediatrics, but we’re not 100 per cent sure yet. Depending on what those needs are, that could be monitoring equipment, it could be a variety of other things for paediatrics,” said Elliot.

She added that earlier on Thursday morning, they had another local business drop by with a big donation.

 “We had Subaru brought in $5,000. They’re donating $25 for every test drive and that money is going to the Bringing Hearts Home cardiac campaign,” said Elliot.