It was a golden night for children and families at the Children鈥檚 Hospital Jeans & Jewels Gala presented by Mosaic over the weekend. The annual event, which raised over $200,000, featured a champagne reception, dinner, candy bar, photo booth, as well as live and silent auctions. CCMA-nominee Codie Prevost provided the evening鈥檚 entertainment.
The gold-themed evening held at TCU Place in Saskatoon recognized an exceptional donation by Eldon McIntyre which has been supported by his family. Through both a personal donation and through one of his oil companies, Eldon Energy Ltd., McIntyre committed $5 million towards the capital campaign for the new provincial hospital. Additionally, the philanthropist from Hazlet, SK donated another $5 million for future pediatric research. Honouring the memory of late wife and mother Marilyn Annie Faye McIntyre, the McIntyre family is helping to ensure that medical professionals will have access to the best equipment, technology, and research.
鈥淲e are beyond grateful to Eldon McIntyre and his family for this truly remarkable gift of love, support, and leadership, says Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. 鈥淭his gift is especially meaningful because it allows us the opportunity to support two significant foundation needs 鈥� a pediatric research fund and the ongoing capital campaign for the new Children鈥檚 Hospital of Saskatchewan.鈥�
Ten-year-old Cohyn Wells, this year鈥檚 Champion Child presented by Walmart, was on hand to thank the McIntyre family and also spoke about the need for a children鈥檚 hospital in Saskatchewan alongside his mom Kristyn.
鈥淚t is important for me to have my family with me when I鈥檓 in the hospital,鈥� said Cohyn, who had his fifteenth surgery in Saskatoon in January. 鈥淚 am so excited for the new children鈥檚 hospital and the private rooms, where my mom or dad can stay with me and have their own bed. I am also excited for the outdoor playground, and playrooms. I love playing games, and it helps make the time go faster when I鈥檓 in hospital. It is because of awesome people like all of you that we will soon have this hospital here in Saskatchewan for kids like me.鈥�
鈥淎s the parent of a sick child, it鈥檚 so hard to watch your child go through these surgeries, procedures, and tests, knowing there is not a single thing you can do to stop it or make it better,鈥� said mom Kristyn Wells of Moose Jaw. 鈥淚 am always hoping that this isn鈥檛 the time he breaks. Cohyn鈥檚 brothers are a huge part of his recovery and in the new hospital they will be able to be by his side when he needs it most.鈥�
While the new maternal and children鈥檚 hospital was top of mind for many, guests also had the opportunity to purchase comfort kits for children currently in hospital. Nearly $3,000 was raised to provide young patients with all the comforts of home, including games, colouring supplies, books, PlayDoh, bubble kits, and even a toothbrush.
鈥淲e are very thankful for the support of so many generous community members, sponsors, and volunteers,鈥� says Boback-Lane. 鈥淔unds raised at this year鈥檚 event will support the urgent maternal and pediatric equipment needs of today, and will help provide the enhancements and special elements for our new provincial hospital.鈥�
Story courtesy The Advance聽
