Programs
Aimee's Craft Corner
This program was started in memory of Aimee Munroe, who loved to craft and paint. Crafts help children and young adults who are staying in our hospital feel more at ease. Aimee would sew pencil cases that she filled with art and craft supplies, and the therapeutic clown would share these pencil cases with other young patients in the hospital. We continue Aimee’s idea today through two ways: in Pediatrics, there is a special Crafting Cart that brings children crafting supplies straight to their room, and the Pediatric Teen Room has a specialized Crafting Corner where older patients can access supplies to entertain themselves.
Your donation will ensure that both the Crafting Cart and the Crafting Corner remain fully stocked, bringing comfort and joy to young patients.
Parent Bereavement Program
Supporting Parents in the Early Stages of Grief
Gabby, a young mother, is sitting in shock at the hospital. Her little baby Asuna never got to take a breath. “Why is this a thing, it should not be a thing. It was a healthy pregnancy…” Gabby and Matt share their story of baby Asuna and how your support became part of their story.
You never want to hear a story like this, but you know it happens. A parent’s loss of a baby is heartbreaking, to say the least. No one can prepare for that kind of loss and when it does happen, you need immediate support
Our hospital healthcare teams are there for parents in those early stages of grief. They can be there because our region refuses to turn its back on this kind of pain. Our region and its communities believe in giving our frontline staff the power to go beyond normal compassion in a way that supports the unique needs of each parent.
This belief created the Parent Bereavement Program, a program that offers:
- Ceremonial acts
- Reading materials
- Mementos including blankets and charms for parents and siblings
You are a vital link and can make sure this patient-care program continues. Be the beacon of hope for you, your loved ones, staff, patients, and the people in our region.
Please, give what you can. Every dollar matters because it makes a difference in a life.
White Rose Program
The Importance of This Program Lies in the Comfort That it Provides to the Families it Serves
Every life is a unique story. How it ends, is as important as how it was lived and who was loved along the way. As many will know, experiencing the loss of a loved one is a harrowing experience for those left behind.
It is because of people like you that the White Rose Program can help create an ending that is a little gentler, less traumatic, and easier to face.
Through this program, loved ones receive a parking pass, blankets, snacks, coffee, and a comfort bag. The comfort bag includes items such as; books for children and adults, toys, cards, and other amenities. These items give loved ones more precious time without added worries and stress. After the passing, loved ones receive information on coping with grief and the option to receive one complimentary memorial item.
It is also through this program that an image of a white rose is placed on the patient’s door and a candle is lit at the nursing station to signify that a patient on the unit is coming to the end of their story. These small symbols ensure that respect and quiet are observed to give the patient and their family a safe space to connect and grieve.
“We support the White Rose Program because we know it is very valuable to have in place. When you are in a position of end of life care with a member of your family, often for the first time in your life, you don’t know what you are facing. Whenever someone you love is in hospital you are so out of your depth. You become the advocate, the voice for your person when you are at your most vulnerable. If the situation has moved to palliative care, you really need the support. You are afraid to leave your loved one’s side. What if something happens in the moments you step away? It is an emotional state that combines panic and grief. Having the support of the White Rose Program, ensuring you do not have to leave, is invaluable. It is such a turbulent time and caregivers need support as much as their loved one in the bed, to get through it.” – Rhonda Side
“The White Rose Program provided many elements that aided in creating a calming and comfortable environment for our family to gather and support our grandma in her final days. Those moments were a gift and we continue to recognize, through Sponsorship, the significance of what this program gave to us during that difficult time. We hope that you, your family, or business will consider donating to such a heartfelt project that directly impacts our community as well as aims to offer a peaceful and respectful setting in which to say goodbye to your loved ones.” – Amanda Thomson
How Can You Help?
Your caring and generosity can be the rest of so many stories. A donation of $500.00 provides for the operations and supplies needed by the White Rose Program for one month.
Donations of new knit blankets, books, snacks, pocket-size games, and toys that can be used in the comfort bags are greatly appreciated.
Be a part of the story…
Born to Read Program
Starting Life Born to Read!
Since 2019, we have had the goal of promoting early literacy for new parents. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, babies born at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital or delivered by a local midwife will receive their first book.
Mental Health Life Skills & Backpack
A Fresh Start, Packed with Care
Some patients arrive at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital with nothing, or next to nothing. These patients are provided dignity items such as clean socks and undergarments, hygiene items, Community Resource Survival Guide, footwear, and seasonally appropriate items such as mittens and toque or sun hat and sunscreen in a backpack upon their discharge. When their journey to better mental health begins outside of the hospital, this program ensures they have items to help them continue forward.
Empowering Recovery Through Everyday Skills
The Addictions and Mental Health Unit treats some of your community’s most vulnerable patients. Patients admitted to this unit have opportunities to participate in the Life Skills Program where they (re)learn skills that make them more independent, such as budgeting, nutritional considerations, portioning, minor food preparation, and social skills. This program can provide patients with confidence to better care for themselves once they are discharged from the hospital.
Teddy Bear Program
Bringing Comfort, One Cuddle at a Time
Staff at our hopital hand out over 10,000 teddy bears and stuffed animal each year. These stuffies provide comfort and distraction to our youngest patients. The Teddy Bear Program is only possible because of the strong support from the region by way of donating teddy bears (new with tags) as well as financial donations for our Foundation to order stuffies as needed.
When You Give, You Receive
Your support for regional healthcare can help you too! Charitable donations can reduce or even entirely remove your tax bill, depending on your personal financial circumstances. Find out more with Giftabulator®, which will automatically calculate your benefits.
Donate Today, Your Way.
Whether they are planned, recurring, or a one-time gift, your donations help improve healthcare services and facilities in our region. Consider making a difference in your community, today.