Don Wrigley’s Story
Don Wrigley grew concerned when he started suffering from chest pains and shortness of breath whenever he tended to his garden or even walked up his driveway. Testing confirmed the cause: severe aortic stenosis, along with significant coronary artery disease. The Burnaby resident would need a new heart valve. At almost 90 years old, the question became whether open heart surgery was his only option.
Group gives with heart to cardiac care
The Pacific Open Heart Association has made a $10,000 donation following its “Moe Pitcher” annual golf tournament in June 2015.
South Asian history initiative helps Royal Columbian cardiac care
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.
Bola Family’s Story
The expression like father, like son took on new significance for the Bola family in Surrey, after Pritam Singh (Peter) Bola and his father Santokh Singh Bola both underwent open heart surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital – a month apart from each other.
Spice Radio 1200AM interviews
Various representatives of Royal Columbian Hospital discuss cardiac care during interviews with Shushma Datt on Spice Radio 1200AM.
Help BC’s busiest cardiac care team
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation wants to bring the latest technology and equipment to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab – the busiest in the province and serving the entire Fraser Health region.
The 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.
Simon Ma’s Story
Simon Ma knew he had high blood pressure. He is also the first to admit he had a poor diet, didn’t exercise, and he wasn’t being helped by his pack-a-day smoking habit. But the 50-year old Burnaby man is stunned at how suddenly his life almost ended one night while watching his son play hockey at a Surrey arena.
Ethel Goddard’s Story
Ethel Goddard has led an impressively active life. Hiking, cycling, skiing, tennis: she and her husband would frequently gather the three children and spend time doing all kinds of outdoors activities. It’s a habit Ethel carried into her 80s, as the Langley resident joined local fitness group sessions and walked regularly. It was while out with her daughter that her condition dramatically changed.
Colin Lewis’s Story
It was a series of fortunate circumstances that helped save the life of Colin Lewis. The 73-year old White Rock man was in Abbotsford with family, on their way in a van to pick up the grandchildren from school, when his heart suddenly stopped. Thanks to the quick actions of a number of people in the crucial minutes after Colin suffered cardiac arrest, he was able to successfully undergo emergency quadruple bypass surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital.
Jyotika Prasad’s Story
Jyotika Prasad and her husband were painting their home the weekend before a planned trip to Mexico when she started feeling uncomfortable. The 41-year old Vancouver resident woke up the next day with sore muscles, a lethargic feeling and a deep pain in her upper back. “I thought I pulled some muscles and was sore from doing so much,” she recalls.
As the symptoms persisted, Jyotika made her way to Burnaby General Hospital. There, she received shocking news: she had suffered a heart attack and was a type 2 diabetic. After being sent for further testing at Royal Columbian Hospital – the region’s cardiac care centre – she learned more troubling information. She would need quadruple bypass surgery.