Maternal + Newborn Health

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND

The Emergency Fund provides financial support to women and families in their time of need.
Investment needed: $150,000 each year

From emergency accommodation, to transportation support, to cafeteria or grocery vouchers – financial aid can make a world of difference for out-of-town and lower-income families.

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre’s social workers identify those women who are facing significant financial and life challenges while they are receiving care for their high-risk pregnancies at the hospital. The demand for this fund has increased by 277% over the last three years due to rising costs in Vancouver and increasing numbers of high-risk pregnancies.

• $20 could cover a taxi to a medical appointment here in Vancouver, alleviating the cost and the stress of navigating an unfamiliar city.
• $60 could cover the cost of a night at Easter Seals House for one family.
• $100 could help subsidize weekly food costs, in the form of a gift card to our closest grocery story. For a woman from out of town, this is one less thing to worry about.

Your contribution will help level the playing field, and provide immense relief during what can be a very challenging time for families. 

MATERNITY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Equipping the provincial leader in maternity care to provide life-saving care
Investment needed: $500,000 Annually

As one of Canada’s biggest and busiest obstetrical centres, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre delivers more than 7,400 newborns into the world annually – 20% of all babies born in the province.

With the recent expansion of BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre’s Birthing Suites, and more babies being born with critical health conditions that require immediate care and treatment, you can help to provide women and their newborns with life-saving care. A few examples of equipment needed include:

• Radiant Warmers $41,200 each, 8 needed this year
  Providing the most advanced respiratory support and most effective heating and monitoring to maximize a newborn’s recovery.
• Fetal + Maternal Monitors $50,000 each, 2 needed this year
  Providing continuous and accurate measurement of vital signs during labour and delivery – helping medical teams catch any potentially life threatening conditions in mothers and infants as quickly as possible.
• Joey Warming Beds $8,200 each, 6 needed this year
  Providing newborn stabilization and treatment for jaundice by keeping baby protected and at just the right temperature while they undergo treatment under phototherapy lights.

Your donation will help to ensure the highest level of care for women and their newborns from across the province.

NICU MUSIC THERAPY FUND

Strengthening parents bond with baby, with proven health benefits.
Investment needed: $105,000 each year

In April 2019, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) began offering music therapy to patients and their families in the Ladybug Unit two afternoons per week. This pilot program is the first of its kind in BC for premature and critically ill babies.

The benefits of music therapy are many, and can support a variety of therapeutic goals and developmental milestones. The therapy also improves the parent-infant bond. Sessions may include gentle lullaby-style singing, guitar music, touch, and personalized lullaby writing. This includes family members whenever possible. The Music Therapist works closely with families to come up with the best plan to support their baby.

Your gift will establish Music Therapy as a regular part of NICU care for five full days per week, and support the purchase of musical instruments. You will give parents the chance to strengthen their bond with their babies and learn new support skills that have been proven to have direct health benefits.