CRH campaign receives half a million dollar donation

Southern Alberta Newspapers Photo by ALEJANDRA PULIDO-GUZMAN. DONATION:: The Witdouck brothers, alongside Dr. Sayeh Zielke, physician lead for cardiac services with AHS South Zone, unveil the amount donated by Witdouck Farms to the Bringing Hearts Home Campaign, alongside Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen and CRH Foundation CEO Crystal Elliot on march 5 at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Bringing Hearts Home Campaign received a $500,000 donation from Witdouck Farms, fourth-generation southern Alberta producers, on March 5. 

Crystal Elliott, CEO of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Crystal Elliott said the agricultural community understands generational responsibility. 

“The Witdouck family’s leadership reflects the strength and heart of southern Alberta. Their generosity will help keep families together when it matters most,” said Elliott. 

For more than 70 years, the Witdouck family has farmed near Iron Springs, guided by hard work, stewardship, and a deep commitment to their community. That same commitment inspired their investment in advanced cardiac care close to home.

“The Bringing Hearts Home campaign, hits close to home for our family, as our father had heart issues when we were younger,” said Witdouck. 

He said that when the family learned about the campaign and how it will be bringing cardiac care to Lethbridge, they thought it was very important to them to get involved. 

“Because with heart disease time matters, and we definitely want to see this in Lethbridge as southern communities haven’t had that. We had to go to Calgary for that, so this is very important for us,” said Witdouck. 

Physician Lead for Cardiac Services, Alberta Health Services South Zone, Dr. Sayeh Zielke said their gift is significant and it helps the campaign keep up the momentum. 

“It comes at a very critical junction, where we have had announcements about provincial budget funding, but the community support is really the pillar of this program and this project,” said Zielke. 

She said their gift advances the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s funds raised to date total to $26.6 million to significantly expand cardiac services at Chinook Regional Hospital. 

“It is truly a testament on how generous our community is,” said Zielke. 

She said the campaign is very important for cardiac care as it is about patient care, as we have a 30 per cent higher mortality rate in  Southern Alberta.  

Today, many patients must travel to Calgary for advanced procedures, but the Cardiac Centre project will allow more care to happen right here in southern Alberta.

Enhancements will include new cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs, expanded diagnostics, advanced imaging capacity, and a modernized ICU and Coronary Care Unit, enabling faster treatment, earlier intervention, and improved outcomes across the region.