By LNN Staff

Bringing Hearts Home

$500,000 gift from grateful cardiac patient and her husband to transform cardiac care in Southern Alberta

Jun 12, 2025 | 2:19 PM

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, alongside its Board of Directors and Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, is honoured to announce a major $500,000 gift commitment from John and Laura Getkate in support of the *Bringing Hearts Home* campaign.

“My wife is very much what you would call a grateful cardiac patient,” said John Getkate, in a Hospital Foundation press release. “She is a member of Dr. Zielke’s Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, and a few months ago, we decided we wanted to do even more to advance the *Bringing Hearts Home* project.”

Foundation officials say the Getkates’ generous contribution helps propel a $30 million fundraising campaign aimed at transforming cardiac care across Southern Alberta. Spanning 30 months from September 2024 to February 2027, the campaign is expected to enhance access to advanced diagnostics, intervention, and rehabilitation services for patients in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and surrounding rural communities.

“This is wonderful news for our hospital and our region,” said Dr. David Stewart, Zone Medical Director, Alberta Health Services. “This project is tremendously important for patients in our area, and it’s gratifying to see that donors are recognizing that as well.”

Officials say the project will significantly elevate the standard of cardiac health care at the two Southern Alberta regional hospitals in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. New facilities and technology—including a catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab, two echocardiography labs, cardiac MRI and CT scanners, and expanded cardiac ICU beds—will reduce pressure on existing ICUs and bring life-saving care closer to home.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Most notably, the Foundation points out, the new Cardiac Centre of Excellence will allow patients who require a heart stent to receive the life-saving procedure right here in Lethbridge, eliminating the need to travel to Calgary and ensuring faster, more accessible care.

“I come from a family of volunteers. That, combined with my personal experience of excellent care over the last 10 years, has prompted our desire to give back to the Cardiac Sciences team and the *Bringing Hearts Home* campaign,” said Laura Getkate. “Our donation is our way of expressing appreciation for the care that I have received. Over half of the diagnostic testing that I needed had to be done in Calgary, resulting in both emotional and financial expense, during a very difficult time in our lives. We want to help change that part of the ‘cardiac journey’ for other families.”

Foundation officials say cardiac disease remains the leading cause of death in Southern Alberta. Alarmingly, the region is said to experience a 26.6 per cent higher cardiac mortality rate than the provincial average, and a 15.5 per cent higher heart attack rate.

“We are so appreciative of this kind of community leadership at such a generous level,” said Amber Darroch, Chair of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors. “When this project becomes a reality, we will name significant spaces in honor of important donors like the Getkate Family.”

To learn more about the *Bringing Hearts Home Campaign* or to make a gift, please visit Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation or call 403-388-6001.