June 2018

Thank you to Michaels of Nanaimo for their generous donation of a Fun Centre for NRGH paediatrics! They raised the highest amount of all the Michaels Stores in Canada during the Company Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada Fundraiser in 2017.

The Michaels Nanaimo employees collected over $2,400 with cashier Angela Grymuza being the top fundraiser, well done! Michaels head office topped up those funds to cover the full $7,500 cost of the Fun Centre.

The first place store is honoured with being able to donate a Fun Center to their local hospital. Thank you to all the Michaels staff for their great effort so that NRGH paediatrics could receive this amazing gift of fun for children and youth who are receiving treatment! And thank you to Starlight Children’s Canada Foundation for providing exciting opportunities for businesses to support their local communities. 

Thank you to Israel Roman, Manager, ICU at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for giving Michelle Stilwell, MLA Parksville-Qualicum a tour of the ICU and sharing both the challenges of working in an ICU that was officially opened in 1978 and stories of the incredible work the ICU team does on a daily basis for our community. And thank you to Michelle Stilwell for taking the time in her busy schedule to speak with Foundation and medical staff to learn more about the needs of our local hospital. 

We always enjoy the opportunity to thank our donors in person and to invite the talented medical professionals who work at the facilities we help fund to share “behind the scenes” insights into health care on mid Vancouver Island.

Thank you to Dr. Michael Kenyon who shared his incredible experiences in the ICU at NRGH as well as in war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thank you as well to all the donors who came to the event to hear firsthand the impact they’re making through their generosity, and to our special guests from Island Health. 

The Foundation is proud to raise funds for much needed medical equiment such as this Echocardiograph machine and bike system. Now up to 10-15 stress tests are performed per week at NRGH.  Prior to acquiring this equipment, patients had to travel to Victoria.

The use of a bicycle vs a treadmill to increase a patient’s heart rate offers a safer alternative for those who may faint during exertion and a more comfortable experience for those with knee or hip issues. In addition, the advanced technology avoids exposing younger patients in their 30’s and 40’s to radiation.