By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
For Shane Jarvis, the best way to say thank-you to Northumberland Hills Hospital is to boost its Exceptional Community, Exceptional Care campaign by signing on as a matching donor of the NHH staff-campaign component.
Jarvis, the owner and president of Cobourg-based Lakeland Multi-Trade did not know how ill he was when an ambulance rushed him to NHH in 2017, nor that the hospital team would end up saving his life.
Jarvis recalls arriving at NHH in bad shape.
“They woke me up in the ICU after a week of being on a ventilator, multiple medications, and around-the-clock care,” he stated in the announcement.
“This could have had a much different ending, but I’m lucky we have such a capable hospital with caring health professionals. NHH is a very important part of our community’s day-to-day, and monumental when you’re on the receiving end (of care desperately needed).”
He describes the care he received as second to none so, when he learned about the NHH campaign – the largest fundraising campaign in Northumberland County’s history – he didn’t hesitate at the chance to pay it forward.
Staff have rallied through this campaign to raise life-saving funds, showing a deep commitment to the community and ensuring the hospital can meet the needs of a fast-growing and aging population.
This is evident in the I Care-themed videos online as part of the initiative, with staff sharing why they care and why they support the NHH Foundation’s $25-million campaign. More than just a look at staff in their workplace, the videos show an earnestness about being a part of something special and making #MakeCareBetter a reality. And in some cases, staff talk about lives saved, including their own.
Ultimately, this campaign will help fund redevelopment, new programs, and life-saving equipment and technology at NHH.
“This hospital has always been here for me, my family, the community, all my friends – everyone who’s ever lived here,” Jarvis stated.
Born and raised locally, he has seen for himself how the hospital has evolved, has grown to offer more services and state-of-the-art equipment closer to home, and he does not take it for granted.
With Lakeland focused on building in the community and a belief in supporting the community, Jarvis said, this initiative made sense, recognizing the hospital is also striving to ensure it can care for a growing community.
He hopes this donor-matching challenge inspires some excitement, while underscoring the significance of health care staying close to home, and increases awareness around current needs.
He is also hoping other businesses and community partners step forward to help, adding that it’s important to show NHH staff that the community sees and cares for them.
“This is a pretty personal place for me,” Jarvis said.
“They’ve done a lot for me – it’s time to pay it forward.”
To learn more about campaign priorities and how you can help, visit www.ItsTimeNorthumberland.,ca
