The community came through in a record-setting way to support central Vancouver Island health care.
Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) says its Winter Giving Campaign’s 1,800 donors contributed a total of $1,841,935 — the most raised in the foundation’s history.
The donations will provide urgently needed equipment at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), Oceanside Health Centre and three long-term care facilities, including Dufferin Place, Trillium Lodge and Eagle Park Health Care Facility.
“This phenomenal show of support from our incredible donors, means we can fund equipment on the priority list that the government can’t and take some of the strain off our health-care workers that are doing their absolute best,” said NDHF CEO Barney Ellis-Perry.
The priority list includes medical equipment in the new High Acuity Unit, contributing to the new x-ray suites at the Oceanside Health Centre, support for the three long-term care facilities on the Central Island and many items on the long list of urgently needed medical equipment throughout NRGH.
“The need is great, so we don’t want to waste any time, we are starting the allocation process immediately,” Ellis-Perry said.
“2024 is full of opportunity and it beckons us all to step up, we have 12 months to continue making an impact. I’m committed to doing this, and with your continued support, we will make incredible progress for health care in our community.”
This year, the foundation’s strategic plan has it playing a more active role in advocating and allocating funds for better health-care delivery for residents north of the Malahat.
The list of priorities includes securing the commitment of a Cath Lab and eventually a new Patient Tower at NRGH and prioritizing the growing needs of Oceanside Health Centre and long-term care facilities, as well as a new focus on areas of passion for the community, including Cancer Care, Mental Health and Cardiac Care.
Mackenzie Read
