This year marked another successful year for the annual Festival of Trees.

Initial figures show the five-day fundraising event held last month at Westerner Park raised $875,000 for cardiopulmonary care at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation hosted the event Nov. 23–28. Organizers say about 12,000 people took in the activities featured at the event.

There were also more than 80 designer Christmas trees to check out, raffles, auctions, shopping opportunities and children’s activities.

“As co-chair of the 2010 Festival of Trees I would like to say thank you,” said Tyler Bowman. “Thank you to our donors, thank you to our volunteers and thank you to the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.

“Central Alberta, you really know how to give. You came together and supported a great cause this year as you do each year and I am blown away by your generosity,” added Bowman. “This makes so many things possible for cardiopulmonary care at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.”

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada (36%). The proceeds from the Festival of Trees will help upgrade technology and enhance capacity in cardiopulmonary services at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

Locally, the majority of hospital admissions have either a lung or heart related issue and this improvement in technology will enhance the care patients receive. Funds raised will be used to purchase resuscitation equipment, cardiac monitors, ECG machines, ventilators and a telehealth system.

This new equipment will benefit patients of all ages in a variety of areas including emergency, outpatient services, diagnostics and inpatient care.

About 2,000 volunteers helped out this year at Festival of Trees and 1,150 youth volunteers also contributed to the more than 12,000 volunteer hours.

Last month marked the 17th annual rendition of the Festival of Trees in Red Deer.

Since its inception, it’s brought in more than $6.4 million to benefit local health care.

-Weber