Bearspaw Community First Presents
Welcome to a night for NICU
This Event Took Place June 15, 2024
• Fernie, B.C.
At a time when the community needed support more than ever, we showed up by bringing together a world class concert dedicated to raising $1.8 million toward this critical addition to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital. The initiative responded to an urgent regional need, as newborns in the East Kootenay who were premature or facing serious health complications previously had to be airlifted to Kelowna, Kamloops, or Vancouver to receive life saving care.
The NICU project, with a total cost of $3.16 million, was a collaborative effort between the Province of British Columbia, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District, the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, and Bearspaw Community First. Facing a funding shortfall of $1.8 million, Bearspaw Community First Foundation, alongside The Festival Company and the Canadian country music community, came together to help close the gap and support the development of the NICU.
To bring this vision to life, A Night For NICU brought together some of Canada’s top country music talent for an intimate, once in a lifetime concert hosted on a beautiful farm within walking distance of Fernie. The event was dedicated to creating a lasting impact for families in the community, with generous support helping hundreds of families grow and thrive. Music played a powerful role throughout the evening, offering moments of healing and connection as it moved through the East Kootenays under the stars.
Sponsors who contributed over $50,000 were offered an exclusive Ferrari driving experience as a unique expression of appreciation. This opportunity allowed supporters to experience a memorable moment while playing a vital role in advancing the vision of a thriving NICU. Their generosity helped bring renewed hope and lasting impact to families in need.
More about the NICU:
The addition of a Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at East Kootenay Regional Hospital supports keeping newborn care closer to home for families in the region. The NICU provides access to specialized equipment and skilled healthcare professionals, allowing more newborns to receive appropriate care within the East Kootenay and reducing the need for long, stressful, and costly hospital stays elsewhere in the province.
A Tier 3 NICU is equipped to care for newborns born at 34 weeks gestation or later and weighing at least 1,800 grams who require acute medical attention. This advanced level of care also allows certain urgent cases involving babies born as early as 32 weeks gestation and weighing at least 1,500 grams to remain at East Kootenay Regional Hospital when clinically appropriate. In addition, infants who previously required higher levels of care outside the region can now return home sooner to continue treatment closer to their families.
This NICU expansion represents an important step toward East Kootenay Regional Hospital’s ability to deliver comprehensive regional neonatal services and long term support for families in the community.
