Organizers of the third Hockey Through the Ages tournament held in February donated $22,000 last week to the Fort Macleod Health Care Auxiliary Association. From left: Scott Norlin, Marilyn Roemer, Ute Eremenko, Ria Vanee and Stephen Vandervalk.
A group of hockey players has skated to the aid of health care in Fort Macleod.
Organizers of the third Hockey Through the Ages tournament last week donated more than $22,000 to the Fort Macleod Health Care Auxiliary Association.
The auxiliary, in turn, will put that money to use in the emergency department and palliative care program at Fort Macleod Health Centre.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable, their generosity,” auxiliary president Marilyn Roemer said. “Having them support us, and through us support the community, is just invaluable. It’s just unbelievable how much they get out of that tournament.”
Stephen Vandervalk and Scott Norlin of the tournament organizing committee last week presented the auxiliary with $17,000 for the emergency department.
They also presented a $5,000 cheque for improvements to the palliative care program.
The Hockey Through the Ages tournament in February raised more than $77,100.
One hundred and four players each paid $150 to take part in the tournament, with each of the eight teams playing three round-robin matches and one playoff game.
In addition to player registration, live and silent auctions, a cabaret and donations from the community boosted the fund-raising total.
The live auction held during the Saturday night cabaret at the community hall bought in $30,625.
The silent auction generated another $16,532.
Cash donations totalled $17,050.
The first tournament, founded by Rob Luther, was held in 2017 in support of palliative care at the health centre.
That tournament raised close to $50,000.
Tournament organizers are Rob Luther, Scott Norlin, Stephen Vandervalk, Cole Archibald, Gage DeGinnus, Wes Stockton, Ben Paskal, and Mike Bourassa.
Roemer said one of the items the donation will fund is likely a $13,000 bladder scanner for the emergency department.
Bladder scanners are used as a diagnostic aid, providing 3D images of a patient’s bladder.
The request to buy the equipment is making its way through channels at the health centre.
Also on the list of equipment needed in the ER is an electric ring cutter, valued at close to $600.
The axillary also plans to buy some needed wheelchairs for the emergency department.
Roemer said the money from the tournament will help fill a “great need” that exists to improve palliative care at the health centre.
The auxiliary has not yet identified which items it will buy with the $5,000 donation.
“The need is ongoing,” Roemer said of improving palliative care for patients and family members.
