Val Shactman’s Story
Val Shactman realized something was very wrong when the paramedics prepared to shock him. By this point, his heart was pounding at hundreds of beats a minute. The 37-year old was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital for a heart arrhythmia that left him hospitalized for weeks. What he saw during his lengthy stay at Royal Columbian made a profound impact on his life.
Nikkie Nolet’s story
When Nikkie Nolet became engaged, she set her wedding date far enough in the future to give her infant son time to learn to walk so he could perform ring bearer duties. But plans suddenly changed when her mother-in-law’s health took a serious turn for the worse. As Mary Nolet lay bedridden and on a ventilator at Royal Columbian Hospital, Nikkie and fiancé Marc made a decision – if they wanted Mary at the wedding, they would need to get married right away, in the hospital.
John Brugman’s Story
John Brugman had been managing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease for two decades when doctors discovered a mass in part of his colon. Surgery was scheduled at Royal Columbian Hospital, but the mass proved only to be the beginning of a months-long health nightmare that included blood clots, an emergency operation, cardiac arrest and cancer.
Fundraising team dashes towards finish line for newborn care at Royal Columbian
A Ladner family whose charitable efforts since the birth of their triplet daughters have helped purchase life-saving equipment for premature babies at Royal Columbian Hospital is determined to reach its latest goal after a successful weekend fundraiser.
The Van Marrewyk family exceeded this year’s $60,000 target for the hospital’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during the Scotiabank Charity Challenge on Sunday, June 26. More than 35 family and friends joined efforts to raise $65,000 in support of the hospital’s tiniest patients.
Families of Royal Columbian Hospital’s smallest patients gather to say thanks
The patients may be tiny, but the outpouring of gratitude is tremendous, as families whose newborns received care throughout the years at Royal Columbian Hospital’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit came together to say thanks.
More than 100 people gathered on Saturday, June 25, 2016 in Sapperton Park to celebrate the care delivered just across the street in the hospital’s NICU – one of four ‘Level 3’ centres in the province that are designated to care for the sickest and most fragile premature babies from throughout British Columbia.
Law firm pledges to mental health expansion at Royal Columbian
A mid-sized law firm with local roots going back decades is supporting the region’s mental health needs with a gift towards redevelopment at Royal Columbian Hospital.
McQuarrie Hunter LLP has pledged $75,000 to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation for the new 75-bed Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre. The new facility, being built during phase one of hospital redevelopment, will provide a significant opportunity for groundbreaking research, increased psychiatric training and state-of-the-art patient care.
Entrepreneur with ‘vision’ helps fund guide technology at RCH
An entrepreneur with a passion for technology that delivers outstanding images has helped bring better vision to a group of health care professionals at Royal Columbian Hospital.
A $20,000 donation from the Jack and Sylvia Gin Foundation has allowed Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation to purchase new equipment for the hospital’s Gastroenterology department.
ScopeGuide technology makes colonoscopies easier and more comfortable by giving the G.I. Clinic team a precise 3-dimensional view of the scope’s positioning during patient exams. A $10,000 donation from the Drive for the Cure Foundation also supported the purchase of the ScopeGuide. Royal Columbian became the first hospital in the health region to have access to the technology and is now using it regularly.
Golf fundraiser slices through target for Royal Columbian surgical services
A golf tournament organized by front-line staff at Royal Columbian Hospital has reached new fundraising heights during its 4th annual event.
More than 150 golfers and sponsors took part in Making the Cut Charity Golf Classic on June 11th, raising more than $40,000 to help Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation purchase lifesaving surgical equipment. In its four years, Making the Cut has raised close to $120,000 and become the Foundation’s premier golf fundraiser.
Diane Les’s Story
It was a random fundraising phone call from Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation that brought Diane Les and her husband Ed into the lives of thousands of others. Since that first call some 16 years ago, with a simple request for a $20 donation, the couple’s unassuming generosity has greatly advanced the care provided to a multitude of patients from across the region.
Sapperton street festival makes neighbourly contribution
The Sapperton Business Association is celebrating the latest charitable results from its annual street festival as the group gears up for this year’s event in support of Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
The Sapperton Day Street Festival raised $13,000 last year for the hospital. This year’s event takes place Sunday, June 12th from 11am to 5pm.