Dolly Boyko came by my office today to chat.  We reminisced about her daughter Krista. 

Krista had left this world way too young - Only 42 when she died in 2012 -  but before she went she inspired people to donate over $11,000 for the Drumheller Cancer Clinic through the Cuts for Cancer fundraiser at the Chop Shop. 


Krista Jean Boyko passed away at the Drumheller Health Centre in October of 2012. You might have known her from Whifs, where she worked for 17 years.  She was a friendly face there until her diagnosis of cancer made it too difficult to continue working.  Though its sad that she's gone, her legacy lives on at the Drumheller Cancer Clinic in the comfort measures that the Cancer patients enjoy there - the special treatment chairs were purchased, in part, from that fundraising effort.


Leaving a legacy such as Krista did can truly benefit your community.  It can be a small or large as you wish.  If you'd like to do something for your community through donations to the Hospital, please contact our office at the Drumheller Area Health Foundation.  We'd love to help you do so.

Purdy's Chocolate Fundraiser is Here!

Drumheller Health Centre receives Maternal Infant monitors

(Pictured: Amanda Jensen, licensed practical nurse, left, and Nancy Guntrip, Site Manager, display the maternal infant monitor in the labour and delivery unit at the Drumheller Health Centre.)

A maternal infant monitor on the labour and delivery unit at the Drumheller Health Centre is helping medical staff keep an eye on the health of moms and their babies during birth.  

The maternal infant monitor is a sensor belt placed around mom’s belly while she’s in labour.“The belt picks up the baby’s heart rate and the strength of the contractions,” says Nancy Guntrip, Site Manager of the Drumheller Health Centre. “It also has telemetry monitoring ability, meaning it’s wireless, so it allows mom to walk around during labour, while allowing us to continue viewing the readings onscreen – it’s nice to give mom this option, especially during a longer labour.”

The monitor costs nearly $30,000 and, thanks to fundraising and donations to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation, two new machines are on order, joining a pair already at the health centre.  The new monitors will be a welcome addition to the family at the health care facility.

“We have three labour and delivery rooms but only two monitors,” says Guntrip. “We’re certainly excited to be getting two more, so each room will now have its own monitor and we’ll have a fourth for backup.

”Measuring vital signs is beneficial for mom and baby so staff can better judge how both are doing.  

“It’s really nice for moms having the monitoring equipment because it lessens some of the stress and strain of birth by knowing their baby is doing fine,” explains Guntrip.

“It certainly helps our staff as well because we can see right away how both mom and baby are doing and take immediate action if difficulties become apparent."

The monitor is also beneficial because it can monitor two heartbeats at once – obviously valuable during multiple births.  

Boris Nahornick, Chair of the Drumheller Area Health Foundation, is happy the newest additions to the area are receiving such vital care.  “Our community is wonderful in getting behind different causes and puts in a lot of time and effort to help us bring worthwhile and meaningful health care to our community and patients,”says Nahornick.

(published in ZoneNews by Alberta Health Services) 

The Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser has begun!

The Drumheller Area Health Foundation is offering Purdy’s Chocolates to raise funds for the Drumheller Health Centre again this season.  What a sweet way to remember friends and family at the holidays.  (Don’t forget some for yourself).

Purdy’s offers the Foundation a percentage on all sales through this fundraiser, helping to make fundraising for the Foundation a tasty success! 

Best of all, these products are the same premium quality chocolate offered in specialty chocolate shops. 

Have your order delivered in time for the holidays.

Brochures and order forms are available at the Drumheller Health Centre’s reception desk, mail room, Foundation office or the administrative office.  Call us at 403-820-7860 for more information.

Click here to get a PDF Catalog!

All orders must be received by no later than November 6th so we may expect our order to arrive in time to mail to loved ones and to assure delivery in time for the holiday.

You may drop completed order forms with your cheque or cash at the administrative office or order on-line at http://www.purdysgpp.com/JoinAGroup.aspx?c=17093. 

All orders will be delivered on November 20th and may be picked up at the Hospital in conference room #3 between 12:00 noon and 4:00pm that day. 

Thanks to all for helping make this fundraiser a success!

Cuts for Cancer will be on February 3rd!

Join us at the Chop Shop - 707 9 Hwy. S, Drumheller

Cuts 4 Cancer, an annual fundraiser, will be taking place again on February 3rd this year.  Volunteers willing to part with their hair and beards will be raising money for the Drumheller Area Health Foundation in support of the Community Cancer Clinic and the Palliative Care unit of the Drumheller Health Centre.

This will be the eighth year Cuts 4 Cancer has run. Over the years, the fundraiser has raised thousands of dollars to help the Drumheller Area Health Foundation. All of the money raised stays in town to treat Drumheller patients.

Cathy Morse started the event after the passing of her mother, Rose Schinnour, from cancer.
On February 3, 2013, the cost of each haircut at The Chop Shop will be donated to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation. However, each year there are a few who go further and place a bounty on their hair. These brave souls collect pledges and then go under the razor for a complete shave.  Participants who raise over $250 for Cuts 4 Cancer this year will automatically be entered to win a trip to Las Vegas.

Anyone wishing to volunteer their manes can contact Cathy Morse at The Chop Shop, 403-823-2466. Pledge forms can be picked up from The Chop Shop on Highway 9 South. Please join us in support of this worthwhile cause!

The Heart To Heart Society of Drumheller Gives Yet Again

Shown from left to right: Tom Diprose, Don Herman (both of Heart to Heart), Dr. Boris Nahornick (Chair of the Drumheller Area Health Foundation), Colleen MacDonald  (Cardiac Rehab), Janice Blumhagan (Acute Care) and Nancy Guntrip (Site Manager Drumheller Health Centre)

The Heart to Heart Society of Drumheller donated over $9,474 to purchase 3 portable blood pressure monitors for use in the Acute Care area of the Drumheller Health Centre.  Thank you so much for your generous donation!

Please support these wonderful people by attending their Annual Christmas Party, November 24th (Saturday) in the Rosedale Hall.  Cocktails will begin at 5:30pm, Supper will be at 6:30.  Entertainment will be provided by Bert Hoy.  

For tickets please contact Colleen MacDonald at the Cardiac Rehab department or any Heart to Heart member.  You may reach Colleen through 403.823-6500.