Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. It’s where three of my grandchildren took their first breath, and where my beloved wife Linda took her last, too soon.
Our hospital is there when we need it most, and that’s why today I wanted to share with you why it was important for my family and me to give back to the healthcare professionals that have been there through all the critical needs of our family through the decades. Through the most joyous welcomes, the happy tears, painful breaks, to the hardest chapter… saying goodbye to my wife Linda.
Linda and I met in university. We were sitting next to each other in a statistics class. The professor said, “What are the chances of two people in this room of 25 people having the same birthday?” Well, the chances were that Linda and I had the same birthday. Same day, same month, same year. It was meant to be, I guess.
We both went on to work in education in Nanaimo. Me as a teacher in elementary school then high school, Linda as a beloved school secretary at École Pauline Haarer.
We raised two wonderful children here, who are now parents themselves.
In 2015 Linda left us, far too early. Though her spirit never faltered, her body did. She was only 67 when she passed away.
At her celebration of life, our children and I saw just how loved Linda was in the community. We looked for a way for her to be remembered in a meaningful way.
The kids and I thought about how much we had to be thankful for. Our five grandchildren arrived safely, thanks to great care. Two of them had serious health challenges and were cared for at NRGH. So with gratitude for the wonderful care Linda received and inspired by the generosity of our parents before us, my children and I made a gift to Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
From welcoming a new baby, to childhood accidents, to surgeries and emergencies at some point, every one of us needs our hospital. When we come together to donate, we ensure everyone in our community has the best possible care.
Deryck
