Update – March 20, 2020
Children’s Health Foundation has been closely monitoring the many changes that have happened over the last week regarding COVID-19.
In regular, virtual, meetings with Children’s Hospital and London Health Sciences Centre, I have been following the continuously evolving protocols being implemented. I am so incredibly impressed with the dedication and commitment of our hospital team.
They are prepared to serve our community, not only those who may unfortunately contract COVID-19, but the children and adults who may be diagnosed with other life-threatening illnesses or be involved in serious accidents…scenarios that will continue despite this pandemic.
Our community is coming together right now to support our health care workers. This week, we saw Fanshawe College lend critical care ventilators from its Respiratory Therapy Program to the hospital to ensure they can meet patients’ needs and we have received many other offers of support and services.
Many of our donors are wondering how they can help in this unprecedented public health crisis.
Children’s Hospital is a hospital-within-a-hospital and is directly impacted by COVID-19. Resources need to be shifted and families will be impacted. We have already seen an increase in requests from leadership at Children’s Hospital for paediatric-specific support. As a result, we are creating a Children’s COVID-19 Response Fund that will help support the urgent and highest priority needs of Children’s Hospital as they continue to provide the best possible care for children and families in the midst of COVID-19.
Funds raised will be used to support our front-line health care professionals, provide financial relief to parents, purchase critical equipment and other emergent needs.
Our community must also show its support by practicing social distancing. This is essential for our community’s health and wellbeing, as well as high-risk populations, which includes the immunocompromised patients of Children’s Hospital. We can all do our part in trying to keep them and their families healthy and safe.
Lastly, continue to visit our website – childhealth.ca – for updates about COVID-19 and follow our social media feeds.
We will be posting updates on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn as we move through this difficult time, and we want to be sure you stay fully informed.
Thank you so very much for your continued support of our children and families.
Sincerely,
Scott Fortnum, MA, CFRE, ACFRE
President and CEO
Children’s Health Foundation
Update – March 16, 2020
As the President and CEO of Children’s Health Foundation, I want to assure you that we are closely watching the COVID-19 situation as it continues to unfold and will continue to update you on the actions we are taking to do our part in keeping our community safe.
Effective March 17, 2020, the Children’s Health Foundation office will be closed and staff will work from home. This will be in effect for the next three weeks, reopening on April 6, 2020.
The health and safety of each member of our community is our highest priority. I am in regular communication with Children’s Hospital, LHSC, and TVCC to ensure that we are following their lead and following the protocols that support their health and well being.
Specifically, we have taken the following steps:
- We have postponed, cancelled, or converted to conference/video calls any meetings scheduled for the Foundation office. In addition, all meetings with donors, volunteers, and the staff of our health care partners will be held by phone/video during this period.
- All staff are monitoring their email and voicemail
- Donations will continue to be accepted on our secure website – www.childhealth.ca – as well as by mail at: Children’s Health Foundation, 345 Westminster Ave., London, ON N6C 4V3. If you are looking to donate toys, blankets or other items, please send us an email and we will work with you to schedule pick-up at a later time.
- All Foundation events, tours, announcements to be held prior to May 1, 2020 are canceled or postponed. This includes Dr. Beary Goode’s rounds at Children’s Hospital.
- We are recommending to our third parties and community event committees that any events scheduled prior to May 1, 2020 be postponed. We will reassess events beyond May 1, 2020 as the situation progresses.
- Please visit our website (www.childhealth.ca) for updates about future events and communications by social media, our website, and other means.
Please rest assured that we are watching the situation closely and will update our as appropriate.
If you do not already follow Children’s Health Foundation on social media, I encourage you to do so to ensure you do not miss updates in real time. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter at @CHFHope as well as LinkedIn for any COVID-19 relevant updates.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Scott Fortnum, MA, CFRE, ACFRE
President and CEO
Children’s Health Foundation
Update – March 13, 2020
The situation regarding COVID-19 has been rapidly changing. And Children’s Health Foundation has been monitoring it very closely.
While the risk in Southwestern Ontario is currently low, we are taking precautions to do our part in limiting the spread of the virus.
Last week, Children’s Hospital made the decision to prohibit all external discretionary visitors. For the Foundation, this means discontinuing our tours and cheque presentations.
Also, we have cancelled Dr. Beary Goode’s rounds indefinitely. While we are saddened that he will not be able to bring smiles to children’s faces, we know this is the correct precautionary measure for the patients as well as our volunteers.
Outside of the hospital, we will continue to monitor and make decisions regarding external, public events as the situation progresses. This has already seen some events cancelled or postponed.
Now, and in the coming weeks, it will be critical for us to come together as a community in the spirit of social solidarity.
I appreciate your continued support and understanding during this unknown time.
Sincerely,
Scott Fortnum, MA, CFRE, ACFRE
President and CEO
Children’s Health Foundation
