Cugnet family leaves a legacy for Saskatchewan families
It will be a first for Saskatchewan, made possible by a generous Saskatchewan family. The Ken Cugnet family of Weyburn has made a special legacy gift of $1 million to help fund a new pediatric surgical suite at Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. This generous gift to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan “We Can’t Wait” capital campaign will support one of three dedicated pediatric surgical suites, a first for the province.
“Our family has always been grateful to those who came before us to build this great province. We are grateful for the schools, churches, libraries, universities and hospitals that were built by those who had so little but worked hard and shared what they could to contribute to the future,” says Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet of the gift made in honour of her late husband Ken Cugnet. “We are proud to make this donation to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan to build a facility that will be there in the future to serve the medical needs of Saskatchewan families when they come looking for a miracle for their child.”
Located on the ground floor of the new maternal and children’s hospital, the surgical suites are being designed to meet the unique needs of children requiring surgery. Conveniently located near the pediatric emergency department, the integrated suites include an operative area and induction room allowing parents to stay with their child while anesthesia is being administered, offering a reassuring presence when preparing for surgery.
“Having to go for surgery can be a frightening experience for any child and their family,” explains Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. “The new Pediatric Surgery Unit will help make each family’s experience as comfortable and stressfree as possible. We are so incredibly grateful for the Cugnet family’s thoughtful legacy gift that will provide the finest care possible for our province’s youngest patients. ”
The Cugnet family gift was a unanimous decision made by the entire family, including Jo and Ken’s four sons and their families.
“We ask ourselves often, are we builders or bystanders? We hope, in the spirit of giving, that others will choose to be builders for the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan,” explains Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet, who is a children’s author and also worked as a nurse for 20 years after training at the University of Saskatchewan.
With the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan committed to raising $75 million for the province’s new maternal and children’s hospital, there are many ways to make an impact on the health of Saskatchewan moms, kids, and families, including gifts of life insurance, RRSPs or RRIFs, endowments, bequests, or a donation of securities.
Construction on the 176-inpatient bed facility is approximately 50 per cent complete and scheduled to open in late 2019.
Find out how you can create a lasting legacy by calling 1-888-808-KIDS (5437) or by emailing info@chfsask.ca.