Foundation raises funds for much-needed healthcare equipment

Medical technology has advanced rapidly in recent decades, but those advances come at a cost.

At the same time, the demographics of the South Okanagan-Similkameen region have trended toward an older population, which places higher demands on the system.

It becomes increasingly difficult to attract new doctors if equipment is out of date. Doctors starting out in their careers have often been trained on newer equipment. A hospital with 60-year-old equipment is less likely to recruit younger doctors.

Senior levels of government have limited budgets. They cover operating expenses, but for purchasing newer capital equipment, it’s often left to local organizations to make up funding shortfalls.

That’s where organizations such as the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation play an essential role, says Ian Lindsay, chief executive officer with the Foundation.

“Sadly, the costs have never been higher,” says Lindsay. “So there definitely is a lack between government funding and what is basic patient care. We’re trying to solve that.”

Started in Penticton, Foundation now serves health facilities in six local communities

 The SOS Medical Foundation’s precursor was the Penticton Regional Hospital Medical Foundation established in 1981. Starting as a volunteer-led organization, the Foundation grew steadily, launching its first major campaign in 1998 to raise $1.5 million for diagnostic and surgical equipment. The campaign allowed the hospital to make badly needed upgrades.

With the provincial government moving to regional health authorities in 2001, the Foundation decided to become involved in other medical facilities of the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Today it works with healthcare facilities in six communities: Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Princeton and Summerland. This includes hospitals in Penticton, Oliver and Princeton, as well as community health centres, extended care, and other facilities.

In April 2019, the David E. Kampe Tower at the Penticton Regional Hospital opened – less than a month before the death of the philanthropist for whom the tower is named. The project cost more than $300 million, funded by the province, regional partners and the Foundation. Kampe himself contributed about $8 million.

Modern Oncology Centre now open in Penticton

 A modern Oncology Centre opened in 2025 at PRH following completion of a $10 million campaign. (Funding from the province and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen covered the balance of the $23 million cost). This is expected to meet cancer care needs for the next 25 years. The Centre allows local cancer patients to be served nearer to their homes, avoiding long, exhausting trips at an already difficult time to places such as Kelowna or Vancouver.

Meanwhile, campaigns are underway to raise funds for robotic surgical systems at PRH. These include the Da Vinci Surgical System, which operates with greater precision and control for urology, gynecology, general surgery and cancer care. The ROSA Robotic System, which assists with orthopedic procedures such as knee and hip replacements, is another technology that SOS Medical Foundation plans to bring to PRH when funds can be raised.

Campaign underway to upgrade SOGH in Oliver

At South Okanagan General Hospital (SOGH) in Oliver, the Foundation has launched a $2 million campaign to bring critical upgrades. Within four months of launching the campaign, more than $600,000 had already been raised. The upgrades include a new ultrasound system for $875,000 that can provide more than 2,500 scans annually and reduce unnecessary transfers to Penticton. A new digital X-ray machine costing $825,000 is also planned. The existing X-ray machine is one of the oldest in the entire Interior Health region.

Finally, the Foundation plans to address the problem of frequent emergency room closures by investing $300,000 in two modular homes to provide temporary housing for locum staff, reduce closures and support the long-term sustainability of healthcare delivery.

Many ways to make big or small donations

The SOS Medical Foundation relies entirely on community donations to fund its work. Contributions can range from one-time gifts to monthly donations, legacy gifts in wills, or larger philanthropic investments in specific equipment or programs. Service clubs are also great contributors as fundraisers and donors.

Donations can be directed by the donor to specific facilities or projects, says Lindsay, the CEO.

“If someone dictates the area they want it to go, as long as they are clear in their consent either through the cheque or they put it on the donation forms, by law we are required to fund that area,” says Lindsay. “So we are donor driven.”

For information about donating, people can go to the Foundation’s website at: sosmedicalfoundation.com, where they’ll find the phone number and email addresses.

“In the last 10 years, we’ve purchased over $30 million worth of equipment,” says Lindsay. “That’s all through people in our community, through bequests, estate gifts as well… We’re really proud of the community.”