Rural Hospital Foundations across the province receive over $40,000 in support from Saskatchewan Blue Cross

SASKATOON, SK, Aug. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- From the world's largest red paperclip to the potash capital of the world, communities across Saskatchewan are known for distinctive landmarks and local pride. At their heart are rural hospitals that provide essential care to residents and travellers alike. Today, Saskatchewan Blue Cross announced a $40,000 contribution to support these hospitals in empowering healthy lives.

From April to June, Saskatchewan Blue Cross opened intake for the 2026 Rural Hospital Foundation Funding Program. The annual program enables rural hospitals to apply for funding for essential tools and equipment to support patients' needs.

"Whether a pediatric crash cart or wheelchairs, each one of these items enhances patient care," said Kelly Wilson, President and CEO at Saskatchewan Blue Cross. "As a not-for-profit organization, we are passionate about improving health and well-being across the province. The Rural Hospitals Foundation Funding Program gives us the opportunity to make an impact in as many communities as possible."

This year, six rural hospital foundations are receiving support, including:

• Battlefords Healthcare Foundation
• Grenfell District Healthcare Foundation
• Kipling and District Health Foundation
• Nipawin Region Health Foundation Inc.
• St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation
• St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation

"This generous $5,000 investment from Saskatchewan Blue Cross will have a meaningful and immediate impact on patient care in the Battlefords," said Leanne, Executive Director at Battlefords Healthcare Foundation. "The addition of two Staxi Transport Chairs will help our healthcare teams safely and efficiently transport patients between departments, diagnostic services, treatment areas and discharge locations, while providing greater comfort, dignity and security for patients who may have mobility challenges. We are incredibly grateful to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for recognizing the unique needs of rural healthcare and for investing in equipment that directly supports both our patients and the healthcare professionals who care for them every day."

Grenfell District Health Foundation will receive $5,720 to replace outdated Telehealth equipment at the Grenfell Health Centre. The upgraded system will improve audio and video quality, helping connect rural patients with specialists, chronic disease teams and mental health professionals who are not available locally.

"Upgrading the Telehealth equipment at the Grenfell Health Centre will greatly improve access to timely, secure virtual care for our rural community," said Fran Neuls, Secretary at Grenfell District Health Foundation. "It will help patients connect with specialists closer to home and support staff through high‑quality virtual training. We are grateful to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for their generous support of rural health care and their commitment to strengthening services for the Grenfell District."

"The value and importance of receiving funding for a pediatric crash cart is immeasurable, said Rita Dash from the Kipling and District Health Foundation. "During a medical emergency, staff have the confidence that they are grabbing the correct intubation tube or the correct pediatric medications and not wasting precious seconds."

Kipling and District Health Foundation will receive $9,884 for a dedicated pediatric emergency crash cart, helping reduce the risk of error during a pediatric crisis.

Nipawin Region Health Foundation Inc. will receive $10,000 for an instrument kit to help expand and maintain the range of ear, nose and throat surgeries available in Nipawin.

"On behalf of St. Anthony's Hospital, I extend our sincere gratitude to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for selecting our healthcare facility as a grant recipient the Rural Hospital Foundation Funding Program," said Holly Scheier, Executive Director at St. Anthony's Hospital. "The $5000 grant will be put towards the purchase of a new medication administration cart. This generous support will have a meaningful impact on our acute care environment by enhancing medication safety, improving accessibility and organization, and supporting a more efficient workflow for our healthcare team. Most importantly, this investment will help us provide safer, more timely and higher-quality care to our patients. We are truly grateful to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for recognizing the needs of our facility and investing in initiatives that directly support patient care and healthcare excellence."

St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation will receive $5,000 for four new wheelchairs to enhance patient care and comfort at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan.

"The generous support from Saskatchewan Blue Cross to provide new wheelchairs for St. Joseph's Hospital makes a meaningful difference for both our patients and our healthcare teams," said Lori Gervais, Executive Director at St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation. "These are used every day throughout our hospital, and having reliable, accessible equipment available when and where it is needed allows our staff to provide care more safely and efficiently. We are incredibly grateful to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for recognizing that even the most practical pieces of equipment can have a significant impact on a patient's experience. Their investment helps us continue to provide safe, compassionate care close to home for the people of Southeast Saskatchewan."

You can help rural hospitals and the work they do to care for communities across Saskatchewan by visiting saskhealthauthority.ca/facilities-locations. To learn more about how Saskatchewan Blue Cross is investing in communities across the province, visit sk.bluecross.ca/community.

SOURCE Saskatchewan Blue Cross

Media contact: Cheryl de Villiers, Director, Brand, External Affairs and Community, 306.260.1147, [email protected]