Golf tournament raises big money
File photo
The Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF) announced this week that its 12th Annual Golf Tournament at the Kanawaki Golf Club in early June raised $183,000 for the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC), the most ever.
A total of 180 golfers - divided into 45 foursomes - and 40 sponsors contributed to the amount raised through registration, sponsorship, auctions, side-betting games, direct donations, and other on-course activities.
According to the KMF, the money will be used for the purchase and implementation of a new nurse call system - the communication system that alerts hospital staff that a patient needs them.
The announcement’s press release said the new system will “enhance communication between patients and healthcare staff, improving patient safety, responsiveness, and overall quality of care throughout the hospital.”
In a previous interview with The Eastern Door, KMHC executive director Valerie Diabo said that the current system needed replacement ahead of schedule - having been in place for a decade with a potential lifespan of 20 years.
“This is why this tournament is so important for us, so we could change our equipment soon without waiting for ministry approval or getting money for it from them,” said Diabo at the tournament on June 1.
“It really helps us out in the shortfalls and for projects that we didn’t have funding for. With the tournament, we’re able to use this money to keep these projects going.”
It has also allowed the hospital to purchase equipment, add to its services, and even give scholarships to students from the community looking to pursue medical studies.
Some past projects include the purchase of an ultrasound machine last year. Since its installation in the summer of 2025, more than 1,000 ultrasounds have been conducted at the KMHC.
The 2025 edition of the Karonhiaráhstha Scholarship Award Ceremony saw 40 students receive scholarships from the KMF, the most ever.
KMF executive director Skye Thomas expressed gratitude via the press release.
“The continued support of our community is truly inspiring,” she said.
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“Every golfer, sponsor, donor, volunteer, and partner contributed to the success of this event and to an initiative that will directly benefit patients and healthcare teams at the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre.”
The foursome of Robbie Dickson, Notah Begay, Brandon Lacasse, and Brett Dearhouse were the winners of the tournament, and ultimately chose to give back their winnings from the Vegas-style tournament to the KMF.
Last year’s tournament raised $181,121.28, while the 2024 tournament raised $180,809.09.
