Foundations of Gratitude

Edmonton-area health foundations launch campaign to show appreciation for health-care workers during COVID-19 crisis

EDMONTON—The #FoundationsOfGratitude campaign, launched today, encourages all Albertans to show their appreciation for healthcare workers and support staff during this challenging time by decorating their windows with hearts.

Watch the campaign video here: https://youtu.be/HH1LLCU4Q_M

We’re facing a battle that has changed the way we live. At a time when we’re all being asked to keep our distance, local health foundations are coming together to thank all our vital front-line care workers from the bottom of our hearts – and we’re asking all Albertans to join us.

The campaign, initiated by eight Edmonton area health foundations – the University Hospital Foundation, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, Covenant Foundation, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Capital Care Foundation, Mental Health Foundation and Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation – brings Alberta’s health foundations and the community together in a show of support for healthcare workers and support staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our healthcare team is on the front lines fighting COVID-19, keeping Albertans safe and ensuring patients receive exceptional care they need,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, CEO of Alberta Health Services. “We were so touched to hear about this campaign initiated by foundations, and hope that when our healthcare and support teams see all these hearts in the windows of people’s homes on their way to and from work, they’ll know the community is behind them.”

“We are so thankful for the compassion and leadership our health care workers have shown as they respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Throughout this challenge, they remain focused on providing high quality care to every patient, resident and their families,” said Patrick Dumelie, CEO of the Covenant family. “We know Albertans are grateful, and their support and encouragement is evident in actions like these.”

Albertans are being asked to join the foundations in sincerely thanking and showing support for our talented and devoted health heroes, by creating and placing hearts in their windows at home, and sharing images of their “heartwork” and messages of support using #FoundationsOfGratitude.

For media inquiries, contact:

Emma Brook
Communications Specialist
University Hospital Foundation
emma.brook@ahs.ca
780-914-5761

Martin Schuldhaus
VP Marketing & Communications
Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation
Martin.Schuldhaus@stollerykids.com
780-616-8473

Lindsay Peddle
Director of Communications
Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation
lpeddle@royalalex.org
780-217-2613

Sherry Schaefer
Director
CapitalCare Foundation
sherry.schaefer@capitalcare.net
780-982-4550

Laura Ehrkamp
Senior Communications Advisor,
Covenant Foundation
laura.ehrkamp@covenanthealth.ca
587-334-7503

Sam Fitzner
Communications Lead
Mental Health Foundation
sam@mentalhealthfoundation.ca
780-342-7926

Aimee Winegarden
Manager, Communications & Engagement
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
Aimee.Winegarden@ahs.ca
780-613-7555

Katrina Black
President and CEO
Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation
Katrina.black@ahs.ca
780-418-7361