The wish of the founding members of the Cochrane and Area Health Foundation (CAHF) has come true.

This week, the creation of the foundation received ministerial approval. Its trustees and supporters are being introduced at a May 1 function.

Chair Brian Winter says their team was successful in receiving ministerial approval prior to the provincial election rite being dropped, something that is also anticipated on May 1.

"We've got a bunch of thoroughbreds," says Winter. "You can't hold the thoroughbred back, you've got to let them out, so that's exactly what happened. Everybody pitched in and did their part, and now we're officially approved by the Health minister, which is awesome."

Prior to that, they received support from the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View County, and MLA Peter Guthrie for their application. It all started last October with an information meeting that included a presentation from Michelle Bates, executive director of the Airdrie Health Foundation.

The CAHF is striving to be a not-for-profit charitable foundation created to improve the quality, provision, and access to healthcare for the people of Cochrane and the surrounding area.

CAHF is committed to working with the public, AHS, and community partners to promote, evaluate, fundraise, educate, and advocate for the improvement of healthcare and urgent care services.

Winter says the foundation will now focus on receiving charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency so it can begin fundraising.

Cochrane and Area Health Foundation

Immediately following the approval, the foundation's website was launched.

Besides an overview, it includes an important public survey. They seek input from area residents to help better understand the healthcare needs of Cochrane & Area.

You can access the website here.