Left to right: Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris with Arvind Vig, Rupa Vig, Rana Vig, Akash Vig and interventional cardiologist Dr. Roger Philipp.
New Westminster, B.C. – {December 10, 2015} – An effort to preserve and share the stories of South Asian pioneers to Canada has also resulted in generous support to BC’s busiest cardiac care centre.
Proceeds from the 2nd annual 100 Year Journey gala are included in a $30,000 donation presented to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation’s Cardiac Care Campaign.
The gift to the Foundation will help bring the latest technology and equipment to Royal Columbian Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab – the busiest in the province and serving the entire Fraser Health region.
“Royal Columbian’s cath lab serves one in every three British Columbians, including one of the country’s largest populations of South Asians,” notes entrepreneur Rana Vig, who launched the 100 Year Journey last year and joined the board of Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation this past June. “In light of concerns about heart disease in the South Asian community, my family knows a donation to the cath lab will help save lives.”
The 100 Year Journey aims to provide Canadians with a better understanding of the South Asian community and the contributions they have made to the country. A 150-page book was released on November 29, 2014, sharing the history of 100 South Asian pioneers to Canada. The 2nd annual gala was held on October 3, 2015.
“Royal Columbian Hospital’s origins, just like the pioneers of the South Asian community, go back more than a century in this province,” notes Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “It’s an honour to be associated with such a worthy and informative project as the 100 Year Journey.”
The Foundation’s Cardiac Care Campaign has a $3.3 million dollar fundraising goal to upgrade Royal Columbian Hospital’s two cath lab suites, which are available 24/7 for cardiac emergencies like acute heart attacks. The interventional cardiology team performs high-levels of angioplasty to restore blood flow to blocked arteries and conducts angiograms to diagnose heart disease and other cardiac problems.
Donations from individuals, businesses, community groups and foundations will help replace the cath lab’s imaging equipment and hemodynamic monitoring technology. Both are essential components of the lab and work in tandem to provide accurate information for safe and efficient patient care.
Those suffering from heart attacks across the health region are regularly rushed from their homes straight to Royal Columbian’s cath lab, at times arriving by air ambulance for immediate, emergency care. Annually, the interventional cardiology team performs 2,300 angioplasties and 3,100 diagnostic catheterizations – the most in the province.
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is appealing for your help today to renew the hospital’s two cath lab suites without further delay to ensure they continue to provide the most advanced care to those who urgently need it. Donate today to the Cardiac Care Campaign by visiting www.rchfoundation.com/heart or phoning 604.520.4438.
Centre of excellence
Royal Columbian Hospital provides specialized care for cardiac services, trauma, neurosciences, high risk maternity and neonatal intensive care for some of the most seriously ill and injured people from across British Columbia. Located at the heart of one of the fastest growing health regions in Canada, the hospital serves a population of more than 1.7 million people (one in three British Columbians). Royal Columbian is also a UBC teaching hospital with a Clinical Academic Campus.
Raising Funds
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is an independent charitable foundation that raises millions of dollars annually to help fund priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at Royal Columbian Hospital. For more information about Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, visit www.rchfoundation.com or contact us at 604 520 4438.