Revelstoke helipad fundraising campaign launches Nov. 14

The Revelstoke District Health Foundation is launching an ambitious drive to raise $465,000 to build a helipad at Queen Victoria Hospital, and they’ll be kicking off the drive with a gathering at Queen Victoria Hospital’s entrance foyer at 10 a.m. on Monday Nov. 14.

The hospital is the closest medical centre to a vast expanse of actively used backcountry, highways and forest service roads. Helicopters are the fastest way to get patients to the facility. Currently, helicopters have to land at the Revelstoke Airport, then transfer patients to a ground ambulance to the hospital.

This takes time, which can cost lives. Minutes can make the difference for an injured logger, heli-skier, snowmobiler, MVI victim, backcountry recreationist, avalanche victim, or anyone else injured while working in an industrial backcountry job.

The proposed flight path for the new Queen Victoria Hospital helipad. Photo: contributed

Foundation co-chair Steven Hui says cutting out the transfer from the airport will make a big difference.

“We need to be able to get from A to B, especially in an emergency situation, as quickly as possible,” Hui said. “This will save lives. I have no doubt about it.”

The new helipad will also benefit patients from in town with critical care needs. Patients who first come to Queen Victoria Hospital but then need to be flown to other hospitals for further care must be sent by ground ambulance to the airport. The helipad will allow them to skip this unnecessary step.

The project will see a helipad 27 metres in diametre built next to the hospital. Hui said the foundation has about $200,000 in commitments so far, and they hope to raise the remainder to build next year.

They have a number of initiatives to meet the target. An anonymous donor is offering matching donations to a maximum accumulative total of $25,000.

You can also purchase a square foot of the helipad for a $65 donation.

The official public fundraising campaign launch is at 10 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 in the foyer of Queen Victoria Hospital.

The Revelstoke District Health Foundation is a registered charity, and donors will receive a tax receipt. Donations can be made online. To learn more about the project, and how you can donate, visit: www.revelstokehealthfoundation.com/helipad/

Donations may also be made payable to and mailed to:

Revelstoke District Health Foundation  
PO Box 2421
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0.

You can also drop off donations at Revelstoke Credit Union.