Each year, hundreds of Columbia Basin residents must travel outside the region to access specialized medical care at Kelowna General Hospital, often for extended periods of time. To help reduce the financial and emotional strain this medical travel places on Basin families, Columbia Basin Trust is supporting an expansion of JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna in partnership with the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
Located steps away from Kelowna General Hospital, JoeAnna’s House provides affordable, accessible accommodation for patients, caregivers and family members. Since opening in 2019, demand has grown significantly, with waitlists in place and more than 1,600 families turned away. Basin residents account for more than 40 percent of JoeAnna’s House annual guests.
While Columbia Basin Trust does not have a mandate to fund healthcare services, it can support initiatives that help ease the challenges residents face when accessing essential care outside the Basin.
“Accessing specialized care often means long distances, long stays and added costs for Basin families,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO for Columbia Basin Trust. “While the Trust doesn’t have a mandate to financially support primary or acute care, we can look for practical ways to reduce the burden medical travel places on our residents. Supporting JoeAnna’s House is a meaningful way to help families stay close to their loved ones during an already difficult time.”
Columbia Basin Trust has committed $700,000 toward a 6,000-square-foot expansion of JoeAnna’s House, increasing capacity from 20 to 30 rooms. The one‑time capital investment will help reduce waitlists and allow hundreds more families each year, including many from the Columbia Basin, to access affordable accommodation while receiving care at Kelowna General Hospital. The expansion is scheduled for completion in August 2026.
“Columbia Basin Trust’s leadership gift is a powerful demonstration of what it means to show up for families in moments that matter most,” said Darlene Haslock, Director of JoeAnna’s House. “This expansion means fewer families will be turned away and more people travelling from communities in the Columbia Basin will have a safe, supportive place to stay while their loved ones receive treatment. We’re deeply grateful for their generosity and commitment to easing the burden of medical travel.”
Columbia Basin Trust supports the efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin to strengthen social, economic and environmental well-being. To learn more, visit ourtrust.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
