The Prince George Cougar Alumni Association has given the local medical community a needed shot in the arm.
The fourth annual Cougars Alumni Hospital Charity Golf Tournament in July at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club raised $102,061 for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
The money will be used to help Spirit of the North buy a Medtronic Paceart Optima System for UHNBC to organize and archive cardiac data and help enable medical staff spot developing trends in cardiac patients. The funds will also pay for blood pressure monitors to help detect and diagnose heart conditions and other equipment needed for cardiac treatment.
In the four years of the tournament's history, more than $232,000 has been raised for the foundation. This year, the live auction bid to determine playing partners in the tournament raised $67,000.
"This event has become a summer staple for all involved, and year after year we continue to surpass even our own expectations," said tournament chairman Gary Samis, in a team release. "Once again the sponsors and people of Prince George and surrounding communities have risen to the challenge, and because of that generosity we are able to make huge annual contributions towards the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation."
The cheque for Spirit of the North will be presented Friday before the Cougars open their WHL season at CN Centre against the Everett Silvertips.
