Together We Gave
Every Newborn a
Fighting Chance
Thank You
For Supporting
Newborns Need!
With a campaign target of $66M, Calgary Health Foundation donors have graciously stepped forward and we are on our way to build a world-class NICU at the Foothills Medical Centre – because for Southern Alberta only the best will do!
Foothills Medical Centre Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Redevelopment
Foothills Medical Centre is home to Southern Alberta’s only in-born Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the most premature and critically ill newborns begin their lives. Additionally, all high-risk obstetrical deliveries from Red Deer south are brought to the expert team at Foothills.
Built and equipped nearly 25 years ago with only 39 beds, it is 1/3 smaller than similar NICU’s across the country. And while Foothills’ care outcomes are among the best in the country, the existing space cannot accommodate the innovations and best practices that have become today’s standard of care.
To address this urgent need, Calgary Health Foundation, Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta have committed to funding a new $83M state-of-the-art NICU at Foothills Medical Centre. This is part of our collective commitment of $152M to advance urgent needs in maternal and newborn health, the largest investment of its kind to date.
The project will create an environment that enables world class care for families, the very best possible outcomes for the most fragile and vulnerable infants and the development of new and better care protocols for future generations of newborns. This includes a 56-bed NICU that is expandable to 58 on two floors with both single rooms and open concept spaces to meet each newborn’s unique needs and dedicated spaces for teaching and clinical research, driving innovations in care and training a new generation of leading health care professionals.
For many families, the birth of a new child is a joyful, exciting release after nine months of wait and worry. But for others, it’s the beginning of a stressful and uncertain struggle. Nationally, 1 in 10 infants are born prematurely, but in Calgary that number rises to 1 in 8 – meaning that on average over 10% of births require the lifesaving support of the city’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
With the generous support of donors like you, we’re dedicated to expanding the Foothills Medical Centre NICU as they strive to give newborns what they need and a fighting chance.
Thank you Karin Histon and Kara Rohl for providing photography for Newborns Need.
Thank you for being a part of our community
We’ve Raised $66M
Through the Newborns Need Campaign, we have raised $66 million to transform newborn care for thousands of families from Calgary and across Southern Alberta. On behalf of the many thousands of newborns and their families whose lives will be touched by this campaign, we thank you for partnering with us to deliver what newborns need and achieving our vision of enabling holistic investments in infrastructure, technology and preventative research that can give every newborn a fighting chance.
Here’s To You
Donor Wall
You’ve shown us your support – it’s our turn to show our gratitude. We’ve compiled a digital donor wall to celebrate the generosity of those who have come together to help us give every newborn a fighting chance.
View The Donor Wall
Newborns Need Volunteer Cabinet
Meet Our
Co-Chairs
Our dedicated Co-Chairs represent three generations of women who have stepped forward to challenge the status quo by leading this important initiative that will change the future for families in our province!
Kate Fischer
Cabinet Co-Chair
Stephanie Felesky
Cabinet Co-Chair
Lesley Hutcheson
Cabinet Co-Chair
Transform Health Care With Just a Click
Donate
When it comes to making a difference in the health of Albertans, every little bit has the potential to make a big impact – and it’s never been easier.