Doctor admitted to ICU with COVID-19 last year at centre of Prince Albert hospital campaign
Dr. James Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 14, 2020 – a condition that quickly escalated and left him on life support for 25 days.
“My family was in a constant state of fear that I might not survive and around Christmas Day, they were told that they should come say goodbye,” he said.
Now, Harris is the face of the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital Foundation’s annual campaign to raise money for critical equipment.
“Most won’t pay attention to our local hospital until it impacts them personally and directly,” Harris wrote, telling his story as part of the campaign.
“While we all hope that it isn’t the case, the reality is that almost all of us will one day need what Victoria Hospital can provide either for ourselves or for our loved ones.”
Harris has been a family doctor in Prince Albert since 1983.
He said he likely caught COVID-19 from a patient. While he expected his case would be mild, his condition “very suddenly and drastically worsened.”
GIVE A LITTLE LIFE DAY
The radiothon for the ‘Give a Little Life Day Campaign – Your Day, Your Hospital, Your Health’ takes place on Dec. 3.
The Victoria Hospital Foundation will be broadcasting live from Mann Northway GM between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Power 99 FM, 101.5 XFM and 900 CKBI.
According to a news release, this year’s campaign will focus on celebrating the hospital while raising money for “the most urgent equipment needs.”
“If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that excellent health care, as close to home as possible, is critical,” said CEO Sherry Buckler.
Harris said one of the reasons staff are able to give life-saving care, like what he needed, is because of people’s donations.
These critical tools include monitors, pumps, beds and diagnostic equipment, he said.
Anyone wanting to donate can visit the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.