Q & A

Q: How long has the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation been in operation?
A: In 1984, a large legacy from Sarah Joan Alward was made to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation was established. Active fundraising began in 1988 with the Festival of Trees followed by the GP Rotary Duck Race in 1989, the Wendy’s Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shoot Out in 1991 and the QEII Dream Home Lottery in 1999. Today, the Foundation raises over $2 million in gross revenue.

Q: Why does the Hospital have a Foundation?
A: The community has donated to the QEII Hospital since its very beginnings. The Foundation provides a way to focus this support to meet the needs of the hospital and the community. The QEII Foundation is considered the fundraising arm of the QEII Hospital and has established itself as an integral part of health care delivery for Alberta Health Services.

Q: How does the Foundation raise money?
A: The Foundation raises money through its special events – The Festival of Trees, The QEII Dream Home Lottery. The Foundation also raises funds through its Direct Mail Appeal, Memorial Gifts, Cradle Wall sales, Major and Planned Gifts, general donations and other in-house initiatives.

Q: What does the Foundation purchase with the funds raised?
A: The Foundation purchases specialized equipment that is not budgeted through the Health Authority and also provides funds for patient programs and education at the QEII Hospital.

Q: Shouldn’t government fund health care costs?
A: Advances in medical technology, population growth, increased demand on health care due to our aging population, and the need to renovate or replace aging infrastructure, are just a few of the factors that influence health care costs. Governments use your tax dollars to meet these challenges and to maintain basic health care services.

The Foundation works with the Hospital’s administration, doctors and staff to ensure your contributions are wisely used to fund programs not covered by government funding. With your support, the QEII Hospital can provide more than just basic health care services.

Whether it is additional patient comfort or new equipment, your contributions provide many patient care benefits that otherwise might not be available. Your contributions also help to maintain the QEII Hospital as the Regional Referral Centre for Northwestern Alberta and the surrounding regions.

Q: How many people donate to the Foundation?
A: Since its inception in 1984, over 35,000 people have donated over $7 million to the QEII Hospital through the Foundation.