Media Release

Foundation Begins Campaign for SIDNE

February 13th 2014

                                                      News Release

“BUH Foundation Begins Campaign for SIDNE®”

 

North Battleford, SK – Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation is pleased to launch the fundraising campaign for BUH’s Emergency Department’s (ED) program to Prevent Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.).  Funds from this campaign will purchase a Simulated Impaired Driving Experience® (SIDNE®).

 

SIDNE® is a battery operated go-kart and will provide a hands-on, engaging lesson about the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs and the dangers of distracted driving through a visual, hands-on experience with the P.A.R.T.Y. Program.  The P.A.R.T.Y. Program has been operating at BUH since 2009 and has had over 350 students take part, from The Battlefords and surrounding communities.  The Program is run in collaboration with the volunteer efforts of BUH, the RCMP and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the support of North Battleford Fire Department to promote injury prevention and enable youth to recognize risk, make informed choices, and identify potential consequences about activities and behaviours while driving.  The youth are brought to the hospital to see firsthand what happens in emergency and trauma situations with presentations from the RCMP on what happens when they are arrested, EMS showing on the scene accident care, and the ED demonstrating trauma care provided. 

 

With a campaign goal of $30,000, BUH Foundation is raising awareness and funds for SIDNE® and the service the P.A.R.T.Y. Program provides to the youth of our communities in Prairie North Health Region (PNHR).  Funds have already been received as Scott Campbell Dodge Ltd. in North Battleford ran a successful Facebook campaign where $1 was donated for every LIKE and SHARE on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram for a total of $500, and the Graduating Class of 2016 of H. Hardcastle School in Edam donated after their class completed the P.A.R.T.Y. Program.  Both groups recognized the value and importance that SIDNE® and the P.A.R.T.Y. Program has for our youth and their families.

 

“We are very proud of the work BUH Foundation accomplishes to enrich the care provided to our community, through our community support.  We are grateful to Scott Campbell Dodge Ltd. and H. Hardcastle School for starting off the SIDNE® campaign and supporting the services provided through BUH’s Emergency Department,” shares Brenda Sparrow, Chairperson of BUH Foundation Board of Directors. 

 

Shelly Horsman, Acute Care Services Director at BUH added, “Healthcare is complex and the component of Health Prevention is as key to promoting healthy communities as technologically advanced medical equipment and highly trained staff are to caring for patients in our hospital.  It is our expectation that the P.A.R.T.Y program and S.I.D.N.E will empower youth to make positive lifestyle choices and help prevent the need to seek care in our Emergency Department.”

 

For further information on the SIDNE® campaign or to learn more on how you can be a part of the fundraising campaign, please visit www.buhfoundation.com or call 306-446-6652.

 

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MEDIA:

For more information, contact:

 

Mike Van Stone

Health Educator/ACP/PARTY Program Coordinator
Ph. 306-481-3544

mike.vanstone@pnrha.ca

 

Claudette McGuire

BUH Foundation Executive Director

Ph. 306-446-6652

claudette.mcguire@pnrha.ca
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