Back on the Road, Thanks to You

New Bus for Long-Term Care Residents

After three long years without reliable transportation, the seniors at Dufferin Place long-term care centre finally hit the road again, and it’s all thanks to you. 

Earlier this month, I had the joy of being at the inaugural trip that welcomed an eager group of Dufferin Place residents boarding the donor funded refurbished bus for a much-anticipated outing to Maffeo Sutton Park. The energy, the excitement, the sheer joy — it was one of those moments that reminds us all why we do what we do. 

This sought after transportation didn’t arrive overnight. It’s the result of a long journey and a deeply committed community. It came to life through the incredible generosity of our donors, a meaningful contribution from the incredible stewards at Eldercare Foundation, heartfelt fundraising by the dedicated staff at Dufferin Place, and a touching legacy gift from a local family. Every single contribution, large or small, brought us closer to this day. 

For the residents, this bus is more than just a vehicle. It’s a bridge to the community. It’s a chance to breathe in the ocean air, feel the sun on their faces, and experience the joy of being out and about again. It represents freedom, dignity, and connection — things that every person, regardless of age, deserves.

To everyone who helped make this possible: thank you. Your kindness has brought movement, meaning, and memories back into the lives of our most senior citizens. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together. 

Warmly,

Barney Ellis-Perry

CEO, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation 

Together for Tiny Lives: A Community's Role in Premature Infant Care 

With support of our donors, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation makes an incredible impact on the lives of babies and their families every day. 

"My team and I are incredibly grateful to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation for their ongoing support. The list of equipment and projects they've funded for our department is extensive, and each one has a meaningful, lasting impact on the children and families we care for—not only in Nanaimo but sometimes across the province," shares Trina Knight, Manager of Child, Youth & Family at NRGH.  

Photo: Barney Ellis-Perry, NDHF CEO, Donna Hais-Nanaimo Port Authority Chair, Trina Knight- Manager, Child Youth & Family Acute Care, and Karen McCarthy Manager, NDHF Strategic Initiatives & Grants.

Helping Our Tiniest Patients Thrive: A Gift of Life from the Nanaimo Port Authority

We’re deeply grateful to the Nanaimo Port Authority for their heartfelt gift of $10,000 toward the purchase of new fetal monitors for the Maternity Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). This contribution—made possible through their Community Involvement Fund—is a powerful example of community leadership in action. 

With this gift, we move closer to our $530,000 goal to fully equip NRGH with 22 fetal monitors, ensuring every newborn and parent receives the safe, modern care they deserve right here at home.

Every donation, big or small, helps protect the well-being of our tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

Help bring life-saving technology to our community’s newborns.

Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Photography by Paige Cordeiro Photography

Thank You for an Unforgettable Evening by the Sea 

On June 6, Soirée by the Sea—presented by Odlum Brown, Mark Mawhinney Portfolio Manager—returned to the shores of Saysutshun and was nothing short of magical. Together, we raised over $173,000 for the Rehabilitation Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. 

Because of your generosity, patients recovering from illness, injury, amputations and surgery will soon have access to advanced rehabilitation equipment that supports their journey to independence—and home. 

This evening was more than a fundraiser. It was a powerful reminder of what happens when community, purpose, and compassion come together. Whether you attended, sponsored, donated, bid, or simply cheered us on from afar—thank you. You were part of something that will change lives. 

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who helped bring this vision to life: 

• Entertainment & Afterparty Sponsor: Tom Harris Community Foundation 
• Wine Sponsor: MNP 
• Transportation Sponsor: Acera Insurance 

We’re already dreaming of next year’s celebration. Mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual Soirée by the Sea, returning to Saysutshun on Friday, June 5, 2026. 

Until then, thank you for proving once again—it truly is in our nature to give. 

Sweetest Milestone Yet! 

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week raised a record-breaking $47,506.17—the highest total in our Smile Cookie partnership history! 

This remarkable show of community spirit brought our SPECT/CT Scanner Campaign past the $2 million milestone, bringing us even closer to acquiring a second, much-needed scanner for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. 

This year’s campaign was made even sweeter thanks to: 

Local champions like the VI Raiders Football Club and Nanaimo Clippers, who stepped up to bake, serve—and smile. 

Tim Hortons restaurant owners, who visited NRGH to see first-hand how advanced diagnostic tools are transforming patient care. 

And of course, YOU—our donors, cookie lovers, and compassionate community builders. 

Thank you for helping us build a healthier future—one cookie at a time. 

Be a Volunteer this Summer with NDHF! 

Summer is one of our busiest seasons at the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation—and we’d love your support! 

We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help at a variety of upcoming events, including Golf for Life, Fuel Good Day, Zonta’s Boots & Bling, the Bathtub Weekend, and more. This is a fun and meaningful way to connect with our community and support local healthcare. 

📍 Stop by our office in the NRGH lobby 

📞 Call us at 250-755-7690 

📧 Email us at ndhf@islandhealth.ca 

Together, we make a difference. 

Lifeline Celebrates Seniors Month  

As a proud program of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, Lifeline Nanaimo does more than provide safety for our most loved, it supports better healthcare for our whole community. Every Lifeline subscription funds vital advancements for healthcare in our region. 

This month, we’re excited to introduce Lifeline Nanaimo’s newest and exciting piece of wearable technology - the Lifeline SmartWatch. Discreet, easy to use, and worn comfortably on the wrist, this watch offers a mobile help button with automatic fall detection. It works anywhere in Canada with cellular connectivity — no phone required. It even includes a pedometer and heart rate monitor, offering peace of mind through every activity. 

If you have a loved one that can benefit from learning more about Lifeline Nanaimo’s wearable technology contact Chelsea Carne at lifeline.nanaimo@islandhealth.ca or by calling 250-739-5770. 

From our region's youngest residents to it's oldest, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is here to improve healthcare for everyone who lives on Central Vancouver Island. Thank you for being part of this incredible community of care!

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Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation | (250) 755-7690