December 2005 - Amherst Daily News

Light the Way Campaign over halfway to $50k goal
By Darrell Cole

AMHERST – JUst a week after it was launched the Eighth Annual Light the Way Campaign is already more than halfway towards its goal.

"The response we have received so far this year has been tremendous. We had barley begun the campaign when we started receiving responses to our mail-out," Cumberland Health Care Foundation managing director Jodi Swan said Monday. " We have received donation from right across the country, with people retrieving information online,"

Proceeds from this year's campaign will go to purchase two important pieces of equipment for the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, including an incubator and wireless fetal monitor for the hospital's maternal/child care department. The new incubator will provide a safe environment for new-borns that arrive a little early or require phototherapy or short-term temperature management.

The wireless fetal monitor will allow expectant moms, to be up and on the go, all the while being monitored. This very special piece of equipment will even all moms-to-be the ability to enjoy a warm shower.

Light the Way is one of three major fundraisers held by the foundation annually with the Highland Classic Golf Tournament and the Foundation Dinner being the other two. Over the years several hundred thousand dollars has been raised for the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital.

"We are thrilled by this year's response the campaign has received not only from Cumberland County, but from neighbouring Westmorland counties," Cameron said.

A highlight of this year's Light the Way will be the annual Light Up at the hospital on Sunday at 6p.m.

There will be musical entertainment, hot chocolate and coffee and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus to hand out treats to the children.

The Christmas lights on the tree and the building will remain lit throughout the holiday season and people can purchase lights in honour of someone or just because.

Yellow lights (for the children) cost $1, white lights cost $10, red lights cost $20, green lights cost $50, blue lights cost $250, wreaths of hope cost $400, radiant angels cost $500 and guardian angels cost $1,000.

As in other years, the star at the top of the tree will be named in honour of the person or group which makes the largest donation to the campaign as of Friday, Dec. 2.