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Aug 04
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In Loving Memory: Daniel Michael Joseph Ruel 1978 – 2022

By Memorial Tributes, News

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Daniel Michael Joseph Ruel.

He leaves behind his parents, Helen and Urgel, sister Maggie, a world without her big brother is hard to imagine, Grandma Gwyn (Stanley), along with many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Bowen, Ruel and Cayer family. Daniel spent a lot of time in particular with his cousin Randy Cyr (Ashley) who played a large role in his life over the years.

Daniel was born on February 20th, 1978, he grew up in Port Alberni and loved being outside from a young age and loved to play ball and hockey. He had the soul of an artist and enjoyed listening to music and playing guitar, often creating his own lyrics and songs and singing. Daniel also spent a lot of time reading books and writing, he had the most beautiful cursive and was skilled at poetry. Then there was the band “The Fringes” with Mike, Brent, Lance, Gerard and Daniel.

Daniel had a heart of gold; he loved all animals and had a track record of rescuing cats in particular. One day he and his friend Ryan were drifting in a boat down the Somass River , as they approached the Orange Bridge they heard a kitten crying. Dan clambered up the rock embankment, only to find a little kitten quite beat up and hiding in the bushes. He scooped him up, named him Django and the cat never left his side, sleeping on his stomach every night. Daniel also came to the rescue of other folks cats from time to time, with his tree climbing skills coming in handy to retrieve them from high tree tops.

Daniel was a hard worker and skilled arborist, who also had a special eye for landscaping ; his Grandma Gwyn and Aunty Jocelyn will especially miss his visits and magic touch in their gardens. His loss has left a huge space behind, not only in the lives of his family but also his friends. We want to thank everyone, especially those who stuck by his side throughout the years, you held a special place in Daniels life and for that we are grateful. We would also like to thank Dr. Herman Nell for being there for Daniel over the years. To all those who reached out to us with kind words and thoughts during this difficult time, we thank you from the bottom our of hearts. Special thanks to those who visited Daniel during his time in the hospital as well.

Thank you to the Emergency and ICU departments at the West Coast General Hospital, and the ICU and Palliative Care Departments at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The exceptional and compassionate care that Daniel received was incredible, especially during these hard times when there are so many staff shortages and everyone in hospitals working extra shifts.

In lieu of flowers, if anyone wishes to make a donation in Daniels memory, you could donate to one of your choice, or any of the following: West Coast General Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, SPCA, Moms Stop The Harm.

Aug 03
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Canadian Tire Nanaimo – Our 2022 Golf for Life Presenting Sponsor and Wonderful Partner to our Community

By Celebrate!, Kudos, News, Thank You!
Our 2022 Golf for Life Presenting Sponsor is Canadian Tire Nanaimo, a wonderful partner to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation and our community over the years. Canadian Tire Nanaimo has donated close to $100,000 in gifts to us for medical equipment, fundraising events, and special projects. For example, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic they stepped up to donate dozens of 5 gallon buckets of hand sanitizer, thousands of boxes of face shields and surgical gloves to the medical team at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, local medical clinics, private doctor practices, midwife practices, First Nations medical centres, veterinary clinics, and any other establishments that provide medical care in our neighbourhoods. “I think we met every doctor in the city during that time,” said Marc Telosky, General Manager of Canadian Tire Nanaimo (pictured). “We knew supplies were scarce, so we wanted to make sure doctors and healthcare workers got first priority for the donations. We gave them whatever we could, whatever they asked for.”
David McClenahan, Owner of Canadian Tire Nanaimo, took over the business in February 2022 and was keen to grow its already healthy philanthropic efforts. “We know there’s never enough government funding available for service organizations that need it,” he said. “I believe it is my responsibility to support and reinvest in the community that supports our business. They are generous and loyal to us, and we are grateful for them.”
Canadian Tire Nanaimo has a wide range of causes in our region, focusing on the needs of their neighbours. Their primary cause is kids’ sports, providing funding through their signature charity Jumpstart, as well as providing direct funding to families for sports equipment and anything that encourages a healthy lifestyle. They also give to resource organizations that help people without housing and other marginalized individuals, schools, First Nations organizations, and of course, healthcare. Furthermore, 100% of their funding stays in the community. “I’m proud to have Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as my hospital,” said Mr. Telosky.
Last year Canadian Tire Nanaimo was the Golf Cart Sponsor of Golf for Life, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation’s signature fundraiser. This year, they have increased their gift and stepped up into the lead sponsorship role. When asked what inspired them to make this jump, Mr. McClenahan told us: “We at Canadian Tire are happy to help this very worthy cause. The hospital takes care of us, and it’s time for us to take care of them.” We are so grateful to Canadian Tire for their support.
All proceeds from the 29th annual Golf for Life event will go toward the purchase of all of the state-of-the-art critical care medical equipment for the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at NRGH, expected to open in late 2023. For more information about Golf for Life and how you can participate, visit www.golfforlife.net.
Jun 28
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Nanoose Bay Lions Club

By News, Thank You!

The Nanoose Bay Lions Club held an extremely successful garage sale fundraiser in May this year, and raised just under $3,000 for the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation! They wanted to support the purchase of new medical equipment for the Intensive Care Unit, which is currently under construction. We are so grateful for your efforts and support!

Jun 28
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Nanoose Bay Quilters

By News, Thank You!

Roxane from the Nanoose Quilters dropped off 33 handmade quilts for NRGH last week! Some of the beautiful quilts will go to the NICU or Maternity department, but many will also go to the Palliative Care unit, Cancer Care, the Renal unit, and Dufferin Place. Thank you so much to all of the talented people that spend their time and energy to make these beautiful quilts for our patients.

Jun 28
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Roots to Read Launch

By Celebrate!, Congratulations!, News
This week at NRGH, Paediatrician Dr. Jane Pegg and Family Doctor Dr. Bill Ehman celebrated the launch of their passion project, Roots to Read – NRGH Newborn Literacy Program. The program aims to support language and literacy development in children. Snuneymuxw Elder Lolly Good, whose Hul’q’umi’num name is Shxuysulwut, started the event off in a good way with a prayer and a welcome song.
The Roots to Read program will provide a book bag to every newborn at NRGH that will include two new books, as well as caregiver tips and guidance for families to encourage healthy literacy and connection with their baby. “Literacy is one of the most important determinants of health,” Dr. Ehman told the group gathered to celebrate the launch. “The brain is like a system of roots,” added Dr. Pegg. “Early stimulation encourages growth.”
The program has been successful in getting off the ground, and we are hoping that financial support from our community will keep it going. The program is run by volunteers, including representation from NRGH’s Perinatal team, Obstetrics providers including midwifery, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Nanaimo Literacy Society, Strong Nations Bookstore and PacificCare. Support with beautiful hand made book bags is ongoing from our sewing community, including Parksville and Qualicum Quilters, Nanaimo Auxilliary and many others!
We have had a solid start and and an exciting launch. However, the program’s sustainability is entirely dependent upon ongoing financial support with donations from our community. Donations to Roots to Read are a great way to celebrate a new birth in your family, and support a strong literacy beginning for all newborns. For every $20 you give, another book bag is funded.
If you would like to make a donation towards this program, contact us by phone at 250.755.7690 or on our website at https://nanaimohospitalfoundation.com/rootstoread/. Donations are tax deductible.
Jun 28
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Helmet Head Canada

By News, Thank You!

We are so grateful to Helmet Head Canada for the donation of 8 totes of toys for Paediatrics! A total of 31 bikers rode their motorcycles in a parade formation last weekend in Victoria to drum up donations of toys for hospitals on Vancouver Island. Today, Helmet Head’s organizer Scott Ferron and a group of the riders delivered the toys to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to give to children who are undergoing medical treatments, which will help them feel better and play like a kid again. The group has made three donations of multiple totes of toys within the past year!

Jun 28
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Variety the Children’s Charity

By News, Thank You!
Today we thank Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC for selecting the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation to receive a $15,000 grant from the Variety Cares Fund. This funding, which Variety has been giving for several years, goes toward paying unforeseen expenses for mothers and their families who must travel outside of their home communities for medical care. They may be experiencing late-stage pregnancy medical issues, difficult and/or premature births, and other challenging situations. Expenses covered can include accommodations for mothers and family members, travel, food, and more.
This funding is critical to alleviating the financial burden mothers and their families can experience during these already tumultuous times in their lives. We are so grateful to Variety for partnering with us on this very important initiative.
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