Who’s ready for a rousing round of tell me stuff I already know? Here you go: Health care is getting more expensive, and something’s gotta give.

Here is a round of what you may or may not know: As residents of North Alabama, you are privileged to live within the caring reach of one of the top health organizations in the country, and by extension the world.

Despite the rising costs of health care (and the vaugery regarding financial responsibility for those life saving expenditures) Huntsville Hospital is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the country in quality of care and provides a plethora of crucial services unavailable in many communities of similar makeup.

Payment in hugs?

In a perfect world, Huntsville’s caring and capable physicians would treat ailments in exchange for hugs and hand pounds. But in the world we’ve got, we can’t expect doctors and support staff to work for free, not to mention supply costs. So where does the money that sets Huntsville Hospital apart come from? Well, a good chunk of what insurance and individuals don’t, won’t, or can’t pay comes from the coffers of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

Established in 1978 as a fundraising and civic awareness vehicle, the Foundation has grown into an ever blossoming force for good in our community. Here is a just a a few examples of the Foundation’s recent gifts to the hospital:

Portable Vital Signs Machine
Transport Monitor & Gyrus Electro-Surgical Generator
Laryngoscope & Defibrillators for the Women’s Surgery Center
Roof Replacement for the Women & Children Center
Defibrillators for Labor and Delivery
Patient Tracking Wall Board for the Pain Center
And much, much more! Read the complete list here

Someone’s Gotta Give

So the Foundation’s efforts lead to better health care for you and your favorite people in the world, but how are they able to do this? It’s not something, but someone, that’s gotta give.

Simply put, it comes from people who care enough to appropriate to the Foundation the extra dollars which they have rightly earned. Often these individuals and corporate partners like to be treated to a good time in conjunction with their appropriations. I like that expectation and can work with that.

Hot Blooded

It is in this spirit that I invite you to join some of your friends for a special YP Happy Hour next Thursday May 10th in the VBC Propst Arena Lounge from 6-8 to have a couple cocktails and warm up for a live performance by Foreigner!

And Our Valley Events is even giving away 10 pairs of tickets (yes you heard me right TEN PAIRS-that would be twenty tickets) to the concert. Want ’em? Enter below.

We all know you have stood by the stage in Sammy T’s and pumped your fist in tune to a mildly talented cover band’s version of “Hot Blooded.” Here is your chance to do it right this time, and your money couldn’t be working toward a finer cause. The dollars you selflessly afford will impact lives of those in our community in ways we can’t possibly imagine. And all you have to do is bring a check or cash and warm up that fist.

Want More?

For those of you who like to sport plaid pants and polo shirts (yes I am speaking of golf) there is yet another opportunity to support the Foundation on Saturday May 12th at the Huntsville Classic Golf Tournament. Held at Hampton Cove’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Course this is more than your traditional tournament. The Huntsville Classic includes an awesome breakfast, a Par 3 Shootout with the chance to win a new car, and the seven Tournament finalists going home with a new set of irons! And of course proceeds benefit the Madison Hospital. Sign up here.

Kinzer

Event Details

Huntsville Classic YP Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, May 10th
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Von Braun Center Arena
Cost: $50; 10% discount for Prism and Development Council members (makes the ticket $45)
Ticket Includes: Hors d’oeurves, 2 Drink Tickets, as well as a seat for the show
Purchase your tickets: Call 256-265-8077

Huntsville Classic Golf Tournament
Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: Registation starts at 8:30am
Location: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove
Reservations: Call 256-265-8077 or email