Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation is looking to the allure of a $13,000 diamond as a way to raise money for a dedicated area at the hospital for chemotherapy and intravenous treatments.

Terry Kruger, communications co-ordinator for De Beers Canada NWT Projects, shows off a 1.19-carat diamond at their Scotia Centre office Tuesday. The gem, valued at $13,000, will be raffled off to raise money for a chemotherapy and intravenous treatment area at Stanton Territorial Hospital. - Kevin Allerston/NNSL photo

Diamond to Diamond Head, Hawaii, is a joint initiative between the hospital, De Beers Canada, RBC Royal Bank and First Air.

With the 1.19-carat True Square Snap Lake Mine Diamond, a $1,000 setting for the stone, and a seven-day trip for two to Diamond Head, Hawaii as the top prize, everybody involved is in agreement that the 600 raffle tickets, priced at $100 each, will sell out fast.

"The draw date is Dec. 9, and we do feel the tickets will sell out very quickly," said Ron Sauve, treasurer of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation.

Other prizes, which include a $4,000 Valentine's getaway to Edmonton for second prize and a $3,000 basket of Northern art entitled Northern Treasure, are things to get excited about, but it's the cause that is important.

The goal is to raise $60,000 for the foundation, which will pay for beds and equipment for the chemotherapy area.

"It will be a hugely positive change, just to change the whole atmosphere and lifestyle of people coming in for treatment," said Sauve.

Cathie Bolstad, De Beers Canada director of external and corporate affairs, said De Beers is a part of the community, and this is the company's way of giving back.

"All of us understand the impact that you have to go through when you have to go to a place that's farther away for treatment. To be able to work at home with people who live in the same community we do makes health care better," said Bolstad.

She said with the Christmas season fast approaching, De Beers Canada expects to hit the target of raising the $60,000.

"People buy diamonds to express love, and when you are sick, you spend a lot of time caring. To have the diamond so we can all show we care I think is really fitting," said Bolstad.

"So for us just to be a part of this to raise more money for the community, we just felt, why not?" said Mike Olson, director of sales for the western region with First Air. "We're a small role in this. We are just flying people and booking the hotels," said Olson.

Kay Lewis, CEO of Stanton Territorial Hospital, said for her, the focus is on increasing the level of care for patients in the North.

"It's very important in terms of having a space that really allows patients to have an area that is comfortable and with privacy," said Lewis.

She said the end result is a place where the patient's experience is the main focus, as well as providing staff with a good workplace.

"Most of these patients are already dealing with a lot emotionally and physically, so anything we can do to make it more comfortable is very critical, especially when you can be there for hours of the day."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.