Lethbridge couple donates $100K to cardiac care campaign

Although the Bringing Hearts Home campaign has surpassed its original $30-million fundraising goal, the Lethbridge community continues to support the expansion of cardiac care in southern Alberta. The latest contribution comes from Gerald and Rita Varzari, who are donating $100,000 to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s campaign.

The couple has supported patient care at Chinook Regional Hospital for more than 20 years. Their previous donations helped fund a monitoring system that allows ICU staff to track patients’ vital signs. Their latest gift will support plans for a new cardiac catheterization lab and expanded intensive care services in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. More than $33 million has now been committed to the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Alberta government has pledged $59 million over three years to advance planning for the broader cardiac and critical care expansion, which is estimated to cost approximately $445 million. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2027