Gratitude, Hope & Commitment - The First Step Towards Cardiac Catheterization in Red Deer

Gratitude, hope, and a deep commitment to community. These are the pillars upon which great change is built. The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is humbled and profoundly grateful for the generosity of Joan Donald, John and Heather Donald, and Peter and Kathy Lacey. Their historic $10 million gift is not just a donation; it is the beginning of an amazing journey towards bringing critical cardiac care to Central Alberta.

For years, families in Central Alberta have faced the harrowing reality that life-saving cardiac care was hours away. The urgency of a heart attack does not wait for travel time, and the distance to Calgary or Edmonton has too often been the deciding factor in outcomes. Now, thanks to this extraordinary generosity, the journey to timely, specialized care will be shorter, and in critical moments, that makes all the difference.

More than numbers or milestones, this gift represents lives changed, parents returning home to their children, spouses celebrating anniversaries, and families spared the anguish of uncertainty. With the establishment of the interim cardiac catheterization lab, we look ahead with hope, knowing that the impact of this generosity will be felt by countless patients who will receive care when and where they need it most.

A contribution of this magnitude does not happen in isolation. It stems from a deep-rooted belief in community, in the responsibility we share to lift each other up. Joan, John, Heather, Peter, and Kathy have set an incredible example, one that will inspire others to consider the lasting impact they, too, can have. It is a call to our community to take action and to move forward on the road that has been opened by the Donald & Lacey families.

As we move forward, we do so with immense gratitude and excitement. This is only the beginning of a journey that we are privileged to embark upon with the Donald and Lacey families. Their dedication to bettering healthcare in Central Alberta will be celebrated, honored, and felt in every life saved.

We look forward to standing alongside them, together with our community, as we continue to pursue the goal of accessible, life-saving cardiac care at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

Manon Therriault.

CEO,

Red Deer Regional Health Foundation