Kelowna residents are being asked to donate what they can to help 'Bring Vinni Home' and make surgeries more convenient at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).
On Wednesday, May 14, the KGH Foundation is hosting its annual Day of Giving, with the goal of raising $6 million. The foundation is set up in front of its building at the corner of Pandosy Street and Rose Avenue, collecting donations from residents as they drive past. There is a drive-through option for drivers as well.
"Every year we, together with the hospital, identify a need in the community and we go out to the public and we ask them for their support," KGH Foundation CEO Allison Young told Black Press Media.
This year, all money raised will go towards Vinni, which will be the first surgical robot in the Interior Health region.
"Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) is a technology that's been in the market for a while and we want to bring it here to KGH," said Young. "This robot works with surgeons so it doesn't operate by itself. Surgeons are our pilots and this robot helps them be more agile, it reduces the invasiveness of surgery, it reduces bleeding, increases recovery time, reduces complications, and it helps with a spectrum of surgeries like thoracic, urology, heart, lung, ear, nose, throat, and colourectal surgeries."
RAS is something that four B.C. hospitals (Victoria, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Coastal, and Surrey) all have.
"It's something our surgeons have been advocating for a long time and the surgeons were trying to recruit are also wanting this type of technology," added Young. "We're really excited because this is the most recent and latest and greatest technology."
KGH and the KGH Foundation are aiming to get a Vinni at the hospital and start surgeries with its assistance in late 2025 or early 2026. The total cost for Vinni is $12 million, with half of that amount being paid by the government.
"We're really excited because this is the most recent and latest and greatest technology," said Young.
The KGH Foundation will be on scene all day trying to raise money but residents can also donate online on the KGH Foundation's Day of Giving website or by phone. Additionally, all money raised on Wednesday will be matched by some families who have committed to do so.
This is the 9th annual Day of Giving. Since the inaugural event in 2017, $5.5 million has been raised.
