A generous community donation is helping patients at the Fort St. John Hospital regain mobility, maintain independence, and safely participate in their recovery thanks to the addition of two Sara Steady transfer aids.
The Sara Steady is a non-powered transfer device designed to assist patients who have difficulty moving independently. Rather than lifting patients entirely, the Sara Steady allows individuals to actively participate in standing and weight-bearing while still being supported. This promotes early mobilization, encourages independence, and provides a safer experience for both patients and health care staff.
For donors Kim and Darren, the decision to support the purchase was deeply personal.
“My dad was in Fort St. John for more than 50 years,” she shared. “He came into the hospital on January 30, and the care here was great. You could really see how hard the care aides and nurses work.”
During her father’s stay, Kim witnessed firsthand how the Sara Steady helped him maintain a sense of independence. She also learned there was only one Sara Steady available to serve the entire hospital. Needless to say, this piece of equipment was frequently in use. Recognizing the need, she generously funded the purchase of a second Sara Steady. To further support patient care, the Foundation also purchased an additional unit, bringing two new Sara Steadies to the hospital and significantly increasing access to this invaluable piece of equipment.
“It just made him feel a little bit more independent.”
Born and raised in Fort St. John, Kim says giving back to her hometown was a natural decision.
“I love this town, it’s special how we can all come together to help make it better”
Seeing the equipment in use and hearing directly from health care staff reinforced the impact of her donation.
“The reaction from the nurse was heartwarming. That was incredible, to know how much they appreciate it too. As Dr. Page said, it’s good to have the small things that make a huge difference.”
Sarah Wright, a nursing instructor with Northern Lights College who also works part-time at Peace Villa, sees the difference the Sara Steady makes every day. She explains that the device helps bridge an important gap for patients experiencing mobility challenges.
“It helps them be more autonomous in their own movement. It helps them stay mobile. There’s a really big gap between someone who can walk on their own to now they’re bed-bound, and we have to use a two-person lift.”
Instead of losing their independence, many patients are able to continue participating in their own care.
“These Sara Steadies give them that little buddy boost to actually get up on their own, keep moving on their own, get them ambulating, and get them healthy and mobilized. It’s such a good machine.”
Keeping patients safely mobile is about more than just improving comfort. It also supports rehabilitation, helps maintain strength and confidence, and allows individuals to remain active participants in their recovery for as long as possible.
“Sometimes it’s the smaller pieces of equipment that have the biggest impact on a patient’s experience,” said Dr. Kevin Page, Director of the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Board. “The Sara Steady helps people safely get out of bed, maintain their strength, and stay actively involved in their own recovery. That sense of independence and dignity can make a tremendous difference, both physically and emotionally, during a hospital stay.”
The benefits also extend to the healthcare professionals who use the equipment every day.
“For our health care teams, equipment like the Sara Steady makes everyday care safer and more efficient,” said Shelley Gallinger, Director of the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Board. “It allows staff to assist patients with transfers while encouraging patients to do as much as they’re able, which benefits everyone. Donations like this not only improve the patient experience but also provide our care teams with the tools they need to deliver safe, high-quality care.”
Community support is what makes purchases like this possible, helping provide equipment that directly enhances patient care throughout the region.
“This is a wonderful example of how community generosity directly impacts patient care,” said Megan Rader, Executive Director of the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation. “The Leflar Family saw firsthand how meaningful this equipment was during their father’s stay and chose to make that same experience possible for others. The generosity of this donation is a beautiful reminder to the Fort St. John community that the impact of every donation made to the Foundation stays local, supporting all of our friends, family, and neighbours for years to come. We couldn’t be more grateful to community donors like the Leflar family for the lasting difference they make for patient care here in Fort St. John.”
As demand for the Sara Steady continues to grow, donations like this ensure more patients can safely maintain their mobility, dignity, and independence while receiving care close to home. Sometimes, it’s the everyday pieces of equipment, used countless times throughout the day, that make some of the biggest differences in a patient’s journey toward recovery.
For more information, please contact:
Fort St. John Hospital Foundation
fsjhf@northernhealth.ca
250 261 7563
