Kelowna General Hospital: "WE APPRECIATE YOU!"
After seeing videos circulating Canada-wide of hundreds and thousands of individuals and groups protesting in front of hospitals against vaccinations and vaccine passports, I want the people of Kelowna to show their solidarity and appreciation to the health professionals at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).
Although protests opposing COVID-19 mandates have gained media attention nationwide, it was not until September 1, 2021, when protesters decided to take their voices and opinions to the very place where medical professionals have been working endlessly in extremely stressful circumstances and environments to keep the community safe. Regardless of the political views one holds on COVID-19 and the mandates that have been imposed on the public as a result of it, there is no reason a loud minority of individuals should feel the need to take their frustrations out on the healthcare professionals who sacrifice their health and safety daily in order to keep others safe.
It is very disheartening to see that doctors, nurses, and all other healthcare professionals at KGH (and all other hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide) were subjected to this behaviour today, and I believe the people of Kelowna should stand in solidarity and show a token of our appreciation for everything these healthcare professional have sacrificed in the last 18 months, as well as the journey ahead they have. This gesture is our counterprotest, our way of showing the staff of KGH that "WE SEE YOU, and WE APPRECIATE YOU".
All donations will be pooled together and provided to KGH in the weeks to come in a lump-sum with the condition that it be used in a manner that shows our appreciation to the staff there. It will be used to their discretion, whether it be in the form of gift cards, takeout food orders to the hospital, or small outings for the staff on their very limited time off.
**This is specific to KGH, as Kelowna is my home. If you are visiting this page from another health authority or city, I urge you to do something similar for the healthcare professionals in your area. The more solidarity and appreciation we can show, the better.
**I also want to comment that I recognize that there are many healthcare professionals in Kelowna that are not directly connected to the hospital, whether it be longterm care homes, private contractors, etc. There are also many other sectors that have also been directly affected by everything mentioned above, and we want to send our utmost appreciation to everyone in these professions as well. KGH was chosen as the recipient of this fundraiser based on the events mentioned above.
**I am in no way affiliated with this institution or any of its members.
Update: Thank you to all those have contributed to such a great cause! I will be keeping this open until October 31, 2021 in order to maximize the thanks we give to our healthcare professionals at KGH. I will be in touch with KGH before this date to discuss the best manner to which the funds are distributed to the hospital. Please check back to see any and all updates to this as they become available!!
