The Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is giving families an opportunity to light a Christmas tree bulb in honour or memory of their loved ones this holiday season.
Through the Foundation of CKHA's 28th Annual Christmas Wish Tree Appeal, Chatham-Kent residents are able to publicly honour or remember a family member, friend, colleague, or business by making a donation to illuminate a pink, white, or silver Christmas Wish Tree light in support of their local hospitals.
"It's become an annual tradition in this community. Donors are able to recognize a loved one through a donation to the foundation and in return, a light bulb is lit in their honour," says Development Officer Barbara Noorenberghe.
New this year, Noorenberghe says everyone who makes a donation will also get a bulb in the hospital's window.
Noorenberghe says this year’s campaign is in support of a new mammography system for the hospitals. She says the event will feature a pink Christmas theme, including pink envelopes.
"People who attend can tie a pink ribbon on the tree in memory of someone as well," says Noorenberghe.
Foundation of CKHA Executive Director Mary Lou Crowley says the mammography system will be a valuable addition to the hospitals.
“Fifty per cent of breast cancer diagnoses can be prevented if detected early. This new mammography equipment will allow us to provide the one in nine women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer a life saving test,” says Crowley.
The Christmas Wish Trees at CKHA’s Chatham and Sydenham Campuses will be illuminated on Thursday, December 14 at 6:30pm.
At the tree lighting, guests can enjoy Christmas carols and refreshments.
"I think that's partly what Christmas is about... remembering family and friends. Those are important in our lives and we appreciate that more probably around this time of year," she says.
Last year’s appeal raised more than $100,000 for the $6.9-million CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign. To date, more than $5.3-million has been raised for the campaign.
According to a news release, the new diagnostic imaging equipment will serve almost every program offered at CKHA and is key for diagnoses in many cases, including heart, stroke, cancer, orthopedics, rehabilitation, obstetrics and gynecology.
Starting the week of November 14, Chatham-Kent residents will receive a Christmas Wish Tree Appeal envelopes in the mail and information is also available online by clicking the Christmas Wish Tree logo on the homepage.
Donations are being accepted online, via mail, over the phone, or in-person at the Foundation of CKHA’s Chatham office at 9 Ursuline Ave. and at the Wallaceburg Campus hospital.
All Christmas Wish Tree donations received before January 4, 2018 will feature honourees in The Chatham Daily News and the Wallaceburg Courier Press on a weekly basis, starting the week of November 27, 2017.