Biggest And Best Festivalley Yet

Late last month, the Drumheller Area Health Foundation held their biggest fundraiser of the year, “Festivalley”.

The hope was that it would be a success as the funds are key to helping the Drumheller Health Centre. According to Susan Schmidt, Chair of the Drumheller Area Health Foundation, they were very impressed with attendance numbers. “It was fantastic. We exceeded ticket sales from the last two year.” They had 40 more attendees than last year.

With the event, the Foundation looks to focus on a specific culture and this year India was the choice. “We had Bollywood dancers come in from the city (Calgary),” comments Schmidt. “Dr. Rehan gave us a presentation, slide show, with India and different artifacts, it was all encompassing.” They were able to use two local restaurants to showcase the cuisine of India.

The event was a great success and they were able to raise a good amount to support the Drumheller Health Centre acknowledges Schmidt. “Based on our donors, and our sponsors, an excess of 20,000 we did this year.”

Schmidt also shares that the organization had a significant announcement at the event. “We had a really big announcement. We have a ‘Grow Your Own’ program which is a collaboration between the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, so we can educate registered nurses in our hospital in Drumheller.” One of the big goals of this program, shares Ashley Berlando of the Foundation, is to allow local students to study right here in our community, lowering the costs of education by allowing the nursing students to stay at home and learn. The hope is that this will help retain local talent.

“They will set up a simulation lab at the hospital,” shares Schmidt. “Not only will it educate the new nurses that we want to bring to the valley, but doctors can use it to hone their skills, the fire department, EMS, it’s going to be an amazing thing for our hospital. Whoever applies to work in Drumheller , must live within 120 kilometres. They can complete their course within three to three and half years. It is a four year course but because it’s here and they can do it quicker.” A stipulation to the program is that the students, once they graduate, must stay in Drumheller to work for a period of time, although that time limit is not known as of yet.

How the Drumheller Area Health Foundation will support this new endeavour financially will be the renovation of a space within the Drumheller Health Centre. The space for the simulation lab has not yet been determined although there are a couple of spaces in mind.

“We’re always fundraising,” comments Schmidt. “We have request from the Health Centre for equipment purchases, entertainment for Continuing Care, we have the Dr. Aiello fund, further education funds for nurses, and so much more.”

With the success, plans will be starting soon for next year’s Festivalley event.