October 20, 2016

Duane & Bev Smith Donate $500,000 to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation for Family Play Room

A generous contribution to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan’s capital campaign means that families with children going through treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses will have a special space in the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. Duane and Bev Smith of Swift Current have donated $500,000 to support a Family Play Room in the Day Medicine Unit, which will provide infusion therapy for children requiring treatment on an outpatient basis.

Located on the main floor of the provincial maternal and children’s hospital, the Family Play Room will provide a comfortable environment for families to rest, relax, and play so they can be with their child while the infusion is taking place.

“Learning that your child has a life-threatening illness is one of the scariest things a parent can hear. This particular space will be most welcome for families going through exceptionally difficult times. It will provide them with space and time to simply be a family,” says Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. “We are extremely grateful to Duane and Bev Smith for their kindness and generosity.”

Dedicated supporters of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, Duane and Bev Smith first contributed $100,000 as a dollar-for-dollar match at the 2015 Children’s Hospital Radiothon in Regina and have since boosted their commitment.

“We feel so fortunate to have seen tremendous support from the agricultural community during our business years in Saskatchewan and our ownership in JayDee AgTech, a nine store John Deer dealership,” say Duane and Bev Smith. “This contribution is a meaningful way to ensure the health of future generations of children and families right across the province. “

Construction on the 176-inpatient bed facility is approximately 25% complete and is scheduled to open in late 2019.