Squamish residents poured out their hearts and wallets at the 17th annual Dr. Kindree Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday (Sept. 14).
Once the clubs were off the greens, the silent auction settled and the last golf ball in the Blackcomb Aviation Helicopter Ball Drop on the ground, $55,000 had been raised for the Squamish General Hospital, fundraiser organizer Tamsyn Jenkins told The Squamish Chief.
Squamish’s McDonald’s franchise owner Jim Pike came with a cheque for $10,123. The money will be put toward newborn resuscitation dolls and intubation equipment, Jenkins noted. The equipment will be used for in-house teaching purposes within Squamish’s Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
“These dolls allow both trained physicians and nurses to simulate a newborn baby that requires resuscitation immediately after birth. All staff who practise obstetrics are required to have this course and renew it every two years,” Jenkins noted. “However, they also practise this work on an ongoing basis throughout the year to stay proficient.”
The remaining proceeds from this year’s tournament will help fund a tool called Telehealth. Telehealth allows for the use of secure information and communications technologies, such as videoconferencing and web portals, to deliver health care.
“It puts patients and healthcare professionals in touch, allowing live consultations, diagnosis and support without the need to travel,” Jenkins stated.
The foundation’s success lands on the shoulder of the community’s generosity, its president George McKenzie told the crowd gathered at the tournament Monday.
