Edmonton, AB – December 19, 2019 – The $1.875 million raised at the 2019 Festival of Trees will support bringing Osseointegration, a procedure that will change the lives of people with lower limb amputations, to Edmonton, making the University of Alberta Hospital the first hospital in Western Canada to provide the procedure.

More than 230 generous sponsors and 2,000 dedicated volunteers helped make this year’s Festival of Trees another wonderful success, with nearly 3,000 supporters attending the special events, including the Gala, which kicks off the festivities, the Silver Bell Soiree, and the sold-out Luncheon & Fashion show and Santa’s Breakfast. Tens of thousands enjoyed the displays and festive activities during the public days.

The fundraising total includes a $1 million anonymous donation that was made at the Gala.

“Thanks to the generous sponsors, donors and volunteers of Festival of Trees, the University Hospital Foundation will be able to support bringing this gold level standard of care to Albertans and improve the quality of life of people living with lower limb amputations,” said Christy Holtby, Interim President & CEO of the University Hospital Foundation. “It is because of our community members that we can continue to push the boundaries of care and research for Edmontonians, Albertans and beyond.”

Osseointegration is the most advanced procedure in the world for attaching prosthetic limbs. It is a surgical technique that directly attaches a prosthesis to the living bone of the limb. During Osseointegration surgery, the surgeon inserts a metal implant into the center of the bone. This technique eliminates the need for a socket interface on the prosthesis. A connector allows for proper attachment of the metal implant to the prosthesis.

Osseointegration improves comfort, reliability, mobility and stability for people living with a prosthesis.

“This is an amazing advancement that mechanically and physically connects a person to their prosthetic limb. People want to get back to doing what they want to do on a daily basis and not be limited by their mobility. It is revolutionary — an absolute game-changing procedure,” said Dr. Jaqueline, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. “Thank you to the University Hospital Foundation for their support toward bringing Osseointegration to our province.”

This procedure will change lives, including the life of Angelena, a young woman with a lower limb amputation who lives with constant pain and discomfort. Watch her story and learn how the funds raised will help her live a life without limitation at osseo.GivetoUHF.ca.

Funds raised at the Festival of Trees will support the cost of the implants, and the essential research program to track the outcomes and health economic implications of introducing this new procedure in Alberta.

The University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees, is an annual holiday celebration, firmly established as Edmonton’s signature kick-off to the holiday season — and the flagship fundraising, and friend-raising, event for the University Hospital Foundation.

To learn more about the Festival of Trees visit festivaloftrees.ca.

University Hospital Foundation

The University Hospital Foundation raises and manages funds to advance patient care, research and healthcare education at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic. For more information visit GivetoUHF.ca.