TWO major B.C. charities, Surrey Hospitals Foundation and the BC Cancer Foundation, have joined forces to raise funds for urgent health needs in Surrey. With the help of the generous South Asian community, funds are needed to support health care heroes as they manage patients with COVID-19, and for the thousands facing cancer, they say.
The two charities will benefit from RED FM’s annual Gurpurab Radiothon being held on Monday, November 30 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
COVID-19 is impacting every facet of public health right now, with Surrey Memorial Hospital serving as a Biocontainment Treatment Centre, which is currently supporting the Province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds raised from the radiothon will go towards the Surrey Hospitals Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund focusing on health and wellness of frontline workers, critical COVID-19 research and capital purchases to support COVID-19 care.
Cancer remains the number one health issue facing British Columbians. Cases are projected to rise by up to 40 per cent in the next 10-15 years due to our growing and aging population. The Fraser Valley will see the most significant increase in cancer diagnoses in the province with a 65 per cent increase in patients by 2030.
Together, Surrey Hospitals Foundation and the BC Cancer Foundation can make a marked improvement in the health of all families in the Fraser Valley region.
“With the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in this second wave, our frontline healthcare workers are facing tremendous stress and overwhelming workload, so it is absolutely critical for us to take care of their wellbeing so they can continue looking after patients,” says Jane Adams, President and CEO of the Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “We are so grateful for the support of RED FM and our communities for their amazing generosity and commitment as we work together for the greater good of our healthcare especially during these trying times.”
“Cancer doesn’t stop during a pandemic and neither have urgent medical needs. We have united with our friends at Surrey Hospitals Foundation with the incredible support of RED FM because the health of our loved ones has never mattered more. We are stronger together and can have a greater impact on the communities we support, including thousands of families facing cancer through this trying time,” says Sarah Roth, President and CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.
Quick Facts
* Funds raised between 7 a.m. and noon will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation and after noon, funds will benefit Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
* Donations made to the BC Cancer Foundation will support urgent needs at BC Cancer – Surrey: From advancing life-saving treatments at the Dukh Nivaran Pharmacy, to ensuring every patient has safe transportation to medical appointments and delivery of life-saving medication to their homes
* Donations made to the Surrey Hospitals Foundation will go towards the COVID-19 Response Fund, which supports the wellbeing of frontline healthcare workers, invests in medical technologies and equipment for COVID-19, as well as invests in critical COVID-19 research relating to vaccines and patient rehabilitation.
Ways To Give:
Phone: 604.598.9311
Online: www.bccancerfoundation.com/redfm, www.surreyhospitalsfoundation.com or www.redfm.ca
Donations will be accepted for five days after the event