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Jan 24
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2023 Winter Campaign Results

By Events, Media Release, News

COMMUNITY ANSWERS THE CALL WITH RECORD BREAKING FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF HEALTHCARE IN CENTRAL AND NORTH ISLAND

NANAIMO, BC – January 22, 2024 – Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is proud to announce the results of its Winter Giving Campaign, achieving a remarkable milestone with over 1,800 generous donors contributing a total of $1,841,935, making this the largest Winter Giving Campaign in the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation’s history.

The Winter Giving Campaign served as a powerful reminder to residents that “Your hospital is there when you need it most. Today, your hospital needs you.” The campaign results underscore
how the community understood the current need for healthcare in Central and North Island and answered that call in record-breaking numbers.

The donations will provide urgently needed equipment at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), Oceanside Health Centre, and our region’s three long term care facilities, 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 healthcare workers that are doing their absolute best,” shared NDHF CEO Barney Ellis-Perry.

The list of some of the greatest needed equipment 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 in Central Island.
  • 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. 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 healthcare in our community,” said Ellis-Perry.

Entering 2024 Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation has a strategic plan that calls for the Foundation to play a more active role in advocating and allocating funds for better healthcare
delivery for residents North of the Malahat. The list of priorities includes securing commitment of a Cath Lab and eventually a new Patient Tower at NRGH; prioritizing the growing needs of
Oceanside Health Centre and our long-term care facilities; and a new focus on areas of passion for the community including Cancer Care, Mental Health, and Cardiac Care.

“To the over 1,800 donors, every person who donated a gift in kind, contributed to our toy drive, or showed up to help us Light the Trees, we want to thank each and every one of you for showing up for your hospital when it needed you the most. And our immense gratitude to Rocky, Deryck and Austen who shared their personal stories through this campaign and inspired us all.”

About Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation was founded to support Island Health facilities. Today, we are raising millions to support our region’s healthcare facilities by leading major
fundraising campaigns for critical medical equipment, construction projects and programs that provide the best and highest level of healthcare to the residents in central and north Vancouver
Island. Learn more: nanaimohospitalfoundation.com

Media Contact:
Andrea Bava
778-908-1764 | andrea@blitzme.ca

Dec 04
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2023 Winter Campaign Launch

By Events, Media Release, News

NANAIMO & DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WINTER CAMPAIGN WITH 1 MILLION DOLLAR FUNDRAISING GOAL

Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is urging Central and North Islanders to support their local Healthcare facilities that are there for all of us when we need them the most.

The Winter Giving campaign is underway with a goal of raising 1 million dollars that will help fund the purchase of new and outdated equipment urgently needed to meet central island healthcare demands at facilities including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) and Oceanside Health Centre.

This year’s campaign includes faces of local islanders who share how their local hospital and the healthcare providers have been there for them through the many stages of life. These faces and stories include a Salt Spring Island mom needing urgent care when going into premature labour, a nine-time surgical patient and retired Oceanside business owner not wanting to slow down his global retirement travel, a former Nanaimo School District teacher and dedicated philanthropist, and NRGH’s own healthcare workers.

Videos and stories from our local spokes-patients sharing the needs of the Foundation this giving season can be viewed here.

“We can’t think of a better way to showcase the incredible need of our hospitals than to share these real examples from everyday islanders like you and me,” shared Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation CEO Barney Perry-Ellis. “Every day our medical professionals are providing the very best care to real people, and today we are asking everyone North of Malahat to support the urgent equipment needs at NRGH and Oceanside Health Centre.”

The community is invited as NRGH lights up for the holiday season with the annual Light the Trees event on December 1, 2023. Presented by Wenner, this family friendly event includes a visit from Santa, live holiday music, toy drive to ensure every child in the hospital this holiday season has a gift to open, as well as a drive through donation station supported by the live on location team at The Wave 102.3. The event is free of charge and kicks off at 4:30pm with lights illuminated at 5pm.

In addition to the winter campaign, the Foundation is building on the success of our inaugural Giving Tuesday campaign in 2022.  This year’s Giving Tuesday campaign returns Tuesday, November 28th. Donations will be used to fund critical care patient beds for the future High Acuity Unit at NRGH, each with a price tag of $50,000. Thanks to a generous donor, every contribution will be matched to a maximum of $100,000, doubling the giving potential with the goal to fund four HAU beds this Giving Tuesday.

“As our region grows, the need of the hospital grows with it, and the need has never been greater. We know our community always shows up when we need them most, so together we will reach our fundraising goal to support the medical needs of our community,” shares Ellis-Perry. Donations can be made online at nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.

Dec 04
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Giving Tuesday 2023

By Events, Media Release, News, Thank You!

NANAIMO & DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION RAISES $243,157 IN SINGLE DAY

Giving was top of mind for everyone this past Tuesday, and that was shown most generously for the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF). Through community and corporate support, the Foundation was able to more than double the Giving Tuesday goal of $100,000 with a total single day total of donations raised of $243,157.

By the midpoint of Giving Tuesday individual donations had grown totals of just over $65,500. That evening corporate donors joined Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation staff for an appreciation event where corporate donations were presented, and the goal was significantly surpassed.

Corporate donations included significant gifts from the Nanaimo Port Authority, Re/Max Realtor Shannon Gorgichuk, Nanaimo Community Theater Group, Nanaimo Airport Commission, Royal Canadian Legion – Seaview Centennial #257, and the Nanaimo Community Foundation with a $50,000 final donation of the evening.

“From individual donations of every denomination to the incredible support of our corporate partners and community friends, we were able to fund urgently needed critical care beds for our future High Acuity Unit. Beds, that as everyone who has waited in an ER recently knows will instantly make an impact for our hospital and healthcare workers, shared NDFH CEO Barney Ellis-Perry

The initial goal of Giving Tuesday was to raise enough money to fund 4 patient beds. With the totals received it will provide 5 beds for the future High Acuity Unit.

Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation Board Chair Tony Harris spoke at the Giving Tuesday event, recounting his own experiences with his children being born at NRGH and the support he received when his family needed it most. “Nothing is more important than supporting healthcare right now,” shared Harris.

The Winter Giving campaign for NDHF is underway with a goal of raising 1 million dollars that will help fund the purchase of new and outdated equipment urgently needed to meet central island healthcare demands at facilities including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) and Oceanside Health Centre.

“As our region grows, the need of the hospital grows with it, and the need has never been greater. We know our community always shows up when we need them most, so together we will reach our fundraising goal to support the medical needs of our community,” shares Ellis-Perry. Donations can be made online at nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.

May 05
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Island Savings Partnership

By Media Release, News, Thank You!

ISLAND SAVINGS COMMITS $60,000 TO NANAIMO & DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

NANAIMO, BC – May 8, 2023 – The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) and Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, are proud to announce a new collaboration to support the mental health care initiatives in the Nanaimo community and surrounding areas.

With the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the community, Island Saving has committed $60,000 over the next three years to promote mental health awareness in the Central Island.

“Helping our communities thrive is a part of who we are, and an individual’s mental health plays a key role in that,” says Kendall Gross, President of Island Savings. “We know that this partnership helps fill a huge need in the community, and as a member-owned financial co-operative, it’s always important for us to listen to the needs of the community and offer our support accordingly.”

The partnership agreement includes events to be held in collaboration with NDHF during Mental Health Awareness Week in May, aimed at raising awareness for mental health and to support those experiencing mental health challenges. In addition, programs will be developed to support the current climate of mental health issues within Island Health and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

“The primary focus of the funding will be the outdoor courtyard for the current psychiatric inpatient unit at NRGH.  While there is much work to be done to support patients in and out of the hospital setting, a refurbished outdoor space will help create a place of recovery, a welcoming place as a person of value in our community during some of the most challenging times,” shared Carrie Boland, Manager Acute MHSU, Island Health.

Funds will also be directed to upgrade the walk-in mental health clinic located at Brooks Landing and the Medical Detox Centre in Nanaimo’s South End.

“We are thrilled to work with a partner dedicated to being a change maker in our community. With Island Saving’s financial commitment to mental health care, it will allow us to support people beyond the walls of our hospital and to increase critical mental health programs for the entire community. We look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come,” shared Barney Ellis-Perry, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation CEO.

May 05
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Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week Returns

By Events, Media Release, News

100% Cookie Sales Donated to Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation

NANAIMO, BC – Smile Cookie Week is almost here, with the annual campaign taking place from – May 1 – 7. During this week, Tim Hortons chocolate chunk cookies will transform into something incredibly special: Smile Cookies – hand-decorated treats that raise money for local charities across the country.

100% of proceeds from each Smile Cookies purchased at Nanaimo Tim Horton restaurants between May 1st and 7th will be donated to Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation directed towards the High Acuity Unit and ICU projects at NRGH. Cookies are on sale during this week for $1.50 plus applicable taxes.

“We are thrilled to be the partner recipient for the 2023 Smile Cookie campaign,” shared Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation CCL (Chief Cookie Lover) Barney Ellis-Perry. “Last year’s campaign was a great success raising over $45,000 thanks to the generosity of our community members and year to date totals of $270,000 proving the old adage, good things come from those who eat cookies!”

Please join us for a special Smile Cookie kick-off event:

When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 1:30-3:00 pm

Where: Tim Horton’s Rock City (2980 Island Hwy N Unit 200)

Who: Join NDHF Barney Ellis-Perry and NDHF Board Chair Tony Harris and other key community members as they decorate smile cookies for this year’s Smile Cookie campaign.

Assets:

We have some great videos and photos to help share the word of Smile Cookie week. Please find these materials here:

Smile Cookie Video

Smile Cookie Poster

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