A Clearer View: Why We're Bringing Advanced Endoscopy to Canmore General Hospital

As you may know, the Canmore Hospital Foundation recently announced the completion of fundraising for updated endoscopy equipment for the hospital, a campaign with an ambitious goal of $440,000. While getting this campaign to the finish line was a significant undertaking, our belief in this community and what we can achieve together was unshakable from start to finish. In fact, we found ourselves increasingly inspired by and confident in our collective power as the campaign unfolded.

Launched publicly at the end of November, the campaign gained early momentum thanks to generous contributions from local families, individuals and organizations such as the Canmore Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary. Despite challenges posed by the postal strike, we adapted, setting up pop-up fundraising booths at Beamers and the hospital, launching digital campaigns, and engaging the community in new ways. Supporters amplified our message online by spreading the word, attending our in-person pop-ups, and making generous contributions. By early January, we had surpassed the halfway mark. Just weeks later, the campaign reached completion, brought to the finish line by a transformative grant from The Bremner Family Foundation.

Thanks to your generosity, we are so proud to have officially completed a successful fundraising campaign and reached the $440,000 goal. This is all because of the incredible support from donors, community members, and everyone who helped along the way. 

With this campaign behind us, we want to dive a little deeper into the "why" behind the campaign. Many of us are fortunate and have not dealt with the complexities of medical procedures. This might make it harder to fully grasp the true impact, so we want to take a moment to offer some clarity on the lives that will be touched, the patients who will benefit, and the difference this new equipment will make in the care we provide.

The Scope of Endoscopy

Endoscopy involves the use of a thin, flexible tube equipped with a high-resolution camera to examine the body’s internal organs. This minimally invasive technology allows doctors to diagnose conditions like colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcers, and polyps, often before symptoms worsen. The procedure is essential for early detection, which can dramatically improve treatment outcomes.

In Canada, colorectal cancer alone is the second leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated 24,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Early detection has been shown to reduce mortality by up to 70%. Yet access to timely procedures remains a challenge in many communities, including our own.

At Canmore General Hospital, the demand for endoscopy services has grown significantly. With upgraded equipment, our hospital’s capacity will increase, meaning more patients will be treated, shorter wait times, and conditions will be caught earlier when intervention is most effective.

Why Advanced Equipment Matters

The current endoscopy equipment at Canmore General Hospital, purchased in 2017, has served the community well. However, medical technology has advanced significantly, offering superior diagnostic capabilities, improved patient safety, and greater comfort.

“The scopes we have now are older, and there is much better technology available today,” explains Amanda Kerik, Head Nurse of Surgical Services. “The screens and picture quality are far superior, and the new scopes offer variable stiffness, which reduces risk during procedures.”

Dr. Matt Muirhead, a general surgeon at Canmore General Hospital, shares, “There are certain things we can’t or shouldn’t do in the Valley. But there are some things that can be done safely and close to home. Since I’ve been here, I’ve done a handful of procedures that have led to people being able to have surgery locally for the first time. I’m really passionate about helping us grow as a hospital, expanding and modernizing what we can offer locally.”

With this new equipment, our talented hospital staff are equipped to elevate the level of care they provide, both in volume and quality. This campaign has demonstrated just how powerful a single fundraising initiative can be, improving healthcare outcomes for thousands of people for years to come. But this is just one piece of a much larger effort.

A Community Effort

For over 20 years, the Canmore Hospital Foundation has been dedicated to making meaningful, lasting improvements to our hospital through fundraising for facility upgrades, medical equipment, and essential programs. If this single campaign can create such a profound impact, imagine the collective difference we have made together over the decades and will continue to make in the future. Our work is far from done, and with the support of our incredible community, we will continue to shape the future of healthcare in the Bow Valley.

While this campaign is complete, our mission continues. The Canmore Hospital Foundation remains dedicated to supporting Canmore General Hospital in providing exceptional care through future projects and advancements. To stay involved and support future healthcare initiatives, keep an eye out for future campaigns and fundraising efforts, take part in events such as the Annual Charity Golf Tournament, and continue to follow along and help us amplify our message, both online and off. 

We are grateful, inspired, and–as always–so very proud of this community.