Support of collaborative research vital to our future
In mid-March the world seemingly stopped. Plans were cancelled, some of our favourite places closed, and we all learned how to estimate two metres of distance.
But while all this stopping and staying home happened, all across our communities, people were stepping up.
Medical experts at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and other health care centres across the province swiftly pivoted their approach, transforming hospitals in order to best treat COVID-19 patients, all while keeping health care teams and their patients safe.
A RECORD BREAKING RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Over these past months, the foundation has seen an incredible outpouring of community support from nearly 2,500 donors, contributing more than $2.7 million to our COVID19 related funds. These donations are impacting health care workers on the front lines today, helping provide them with essential supplies and comforts during this stressful time.
These donations also fuel our world-class researchers, who are working tirelessly every day to help uncover the mystery of this disease.
And beyond funding, we are overjoyed with the gifts sent to our hospitals and health care centres in support of those on the front lines: the personal protective equipment, essential groceries, the flowers and chocolates, meals and snacks and the 7 o’clock cheer that our health care workers hear and feel every evening.
For 40 years, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation has been the philanthropic engine for health care innovation in B.C., supporting the most specialized care, groundbreaking research and system transformation across Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
And with donor support, they will continue to be there for our health care partners, as we face an unprecedented challenge.
RESEARCHING NEW TREATMENTS
Now that we have flattened the curve in B.C., we are looking ahead at what is needed in order to return to normal quickly and safely. And the answer to this is accelerating research.
This is why the foundation is proud to be a part of the fight against COVID19, working alongside our researchers who are making great strides right here in Vancouver to help patients worldwide.
Clinician-scientists like Dr. Myp Sekhon and Cheryl Wellington, PhD, who are leading a dedicated team of researchers in a donor-supported lab in characterizing changes in the immune system of COVID-19 infected patients.
Using a sophisticated analyzer that provides ultra-sensitive biomarker testing, blood samples that normally take weeks to analyze are processed within 24 hours so ICU physicians have more time to observe a patient’s immune system. The goal is to characterize the immune-system changes to provide optimal care for COVID-19 patients.
This bench-to-bedside research is already helping patients in our hospitals today. The information gathered here will also be made publicly available in order to inform other research, providing clearer paths to more impactful treatments, and potentially a cure.
And they are just one of many research projects right here in B.C. empowered by philanthropy.
VCHRI researchers are investigating COVID-19-specific therapies utilizing artificial intelligence by collecting thousands of chest images of COVID-19 patients from around the world and feeding them into a computer. The team’s goal is to provide an instant diagnosis of the severity of the illness and give answers as to what treatment would work best.
Innovative PPE designs utilizing low-cost and common equipment pieces are being constructed and optimized every day. This research can benefit hospitals suffering from PPE shortages, including ventilators, and allow them to treat patients who may otherwise have no options.
HEALTH CARE NEEDS PHILANTHROPY TO BEAT COVID 19
Our philanthropic community has stunned us so far. And as the fight rages on, we need your support to get out the other side.
The hospitals and health care centres which have been impacted by COVID-19 are now looking at replenishing supplies, supporting staff members in any way they need, and resuming non-essential care and rescheduling appointments that were cancelled over the past months.
In addition, research will be crucial in allowing us to “take back tomorrow”. One day we will be able to travel, to attend live sports and concerts, and to hug all of our loved ones. And donor support of local and international research projects will help us get there.
B.C.’s health care system is strong, and in no small part because of our community. You have empowered us to continually transform health care and allow our health care heroes to do what they do best – improve and save lives.
To learn more please visit vghfoundation.ca or contact info@vghfoundation.ca.