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Generations of Giving
For Brian Austrom, giving back to the Stollery is only natural
BY GEOFF GEDDES
According to Camrosebased Brian Austrom, the work supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation has been an important presence in his life — and the lives of his loved ones — for three generations. From treating his daughter, Melissa, for asthma when she was 10 years old, to treating his grandson Clayton for seizures years later, children’s hospitals, he says, have played a vital role in the well-being of his family.
When Melissa and her mother (Austrom’s first wife) were tragically killed in a car accident in 1997, Austrom donated to the Children’s Health Foundation of Northern Alberta (which was the original name of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation) in Melissa’s memory, and he has been donating annually to the Foundation ever since. To date, he has donated more than $25,000.
But his giving hasn’t stopped there. Over the years, he has also volunteered his time and advocacy efforts in support of the Foundation.
“Brian is an amazing individual,” says Cyndi Matthews, senior development officer for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. “He is someone we can call anytime and he is glad to help. We’re grateful for his financial assistance and volunteer work, but he makes a difference on so many levels.”
Among the many hats Austrom wears for the Foundation is that of community connector. When the Stollery needed funds for a new pediatric operating unit in 2015, Austrom — who had previously served as the Camrose county manager — called on his hometown connections in Camrose to help raise more than $500,000 as part of the Battle River Community Initiative. (That amount included a generous donation of $100,000 from Flagstaff County.) And when one of the Stollery’s donors wished to leave a legacy gift for the Hospital, Austrom stepped up again to assist the gentleman before he passed away, gently guiding the man through the donation
THIS HOSPITAL BENEFITS ALL OF ALBERTA AND WESTERN CANADA, SO WE ARE HAPPY TO DO WHAT WE CAN.
BRIAN AUSTROM process and helping to communicate the meaningful impact of his gift.
It may be challenging work at times, but supporting the Stollery is always an easy decision for Austrom and his second wife, Bonnie. Now retired, the couple travel the world, feeding their passion for hiking and exploring — but all roads lead back to the Stollery.
“This Hospital benefits all of Alberta and Western Canada, so we are happy to do what we can,” says Austrom. “Bonnie and I are grateful for the chance to provide support and really spread the word about this amazing resource for our province. We’ve had numerous friends and relatives bring their kids to the Stollery. One of my grandsons has been there three times for seizures since 2017 and received incredible care, and another grandson is very active in fundraising, so it’s really a family affair.”
Though his respect for the work done at children’s hospitals began with his late daughter’s treatment, it has grown exponentially over the years as he’s learned more about the Stollery and its staff.
“The Stollery is there for everyone. Its doors are always open, and the doctors and nurses do everything in their power to help children in need. If you feel compelled to give some of your time or money to make a difference, there is no better cause.”
