New mom Samantha was the first person to be helped by a new fund at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital. Conexus Credit Union donated $750,000 to help the families of patients with everyday expenses. (Photo submitted/Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation)

By Susan McNeil

Jim Pattison Children's Hospital

$750,000 boost for families at Children’s Hospital

Mar 23, 2022 | 2:09 PM

The families of children in the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan will have another avenue for financial relief when it comes to details like buying food, paying for parking or even buying gas.

Conexus Credit Union announced today that they would give $750,000 to Children’s Hospital Foundation with the goal of a helping families pay for everyday items while their children are in the hospital.

Neil Cooper, interim CEO of Conexus said helping families with financial stress meets the institution’s goal of financial security for the community.

“In this case we couldn’t think of a better partnership because families that have a child in need don’t need the stress of money,” he said.

One mom, identified only by her first name Samantha, is a prime example of how the new program will impact caregivers.

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Samantha gave birth to her son Spencer on January 22, but the infant had difficulty eating and breathing.

In March, he was admitted to the Children’s Hospital and placed on oxygen, given a breathing tube and was diagnosed with laryngomalacia, which involves softening of the tissue in the voice box.

The baby needed immediate surgery which meant Samantha spent time with her son at the hospital.

She was the first person to receive the support of the Family Amenities Fund. Not needing to spend time worrying about her expenses meant she could instead transfer her focus and energy to caring for her son.

“As a new and young mom, this experience has been very stressful emotionally and financially. But throughout it all I have met some amazing nurses, nutrition specialists, pediatricians, a social worker, and our surgeon who saved my son,” said Samantha.

Brynn Boback-Lane, CEO and president of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation said alleviating stress is the point of the fund.

“We all know that hospital stays can be very long and very traumatic and this fund will greatly assist those families that need it the most,” said Boback-Lane.

While the hospital is located in Saskatoon, it draws patients from around the province in large numbers.

Of the more than 25,000 patients that spend time in the facility every year, almost 50 per cent are from outside the geographical catchment area.

Social Workers of Interprofessional Practice whose job it is to work with families in need can see up to 10 families a day with related patients anywhere in the facility ranging from prenatal care to ICU.

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Susan.McNeil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow