May is Leave a Legacy Month in Canada,

and it’s got us thinking: What kind of impact

do we want to leave behind?  

We are incredibly grateful to donors who are no longer with us, but whose generosity continues to make a difference. People like Eldred and Joyce Classen, who moved from Saskatchewan to a farm in Nanaimo and quietly supported local healthcare for years. Their legacy gift helped us open the Classen Preoperative Centre in 2023—a game-changer for orthopedic care in our region. 

Before the centre opened, wait times for hip and knee surgeries could stretch up to four years. Now? We’re doing two hip fracture surgeries a day—more than Victoria—and people can get first-class care right here in Nanaimo. 

Legacy giving like the Classens’ is powerful. If you’re thinking about your own legacy connect with Cheryl from our team today at Cheryl.Onciul@islandhealth.ca.

Warmly,

Barney Ellis-Perry

CEO, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation 

The Power of Legacy Giving:

The Classens’ Contribution to Community Care

Photo: Jessica Sims RN, Gord MacIntosh RN, Madison Chester CNL, Kendra Meyer RN, Tyler Campbell RN, Hareem Masroor RN. 

NRGH Nurses Gain Expertise in Trauma Care

Earlier this month, a team of nurses from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) attended the 3rd Annual Trauma Conference in Sooke, BC, thanks to generous donors to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. The conference, focused on trauma patient care, was invaluable as NRGH now has the capacity to stabilize and treat trauma patients onsite....

Big News from the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital!

Some of the much-anticipated equipment for the High Acuity Unit (HAU) has arrived! Watch Jane Marriott, Clinical Lead for ICU/HAU at NRGH, share this inspiring update and what it means for patient care in our community.

Your support is bringing advanced healthcare to Central Vancouver Island.

Learn more about the HAU construction update.

Honouring Legacy and Community: The Royal Canadian Legion's Generous Support

We are proud to celebrate two generous gifts from our long-standing partners at the Royal Canadian Legion. Mt. Benson #256 has donated $5,000 towards imaging equipment at NRGH, while Seaview Centennial #257 contributed $10,000 to support urgently needed equipment, long-term care, and palliative services. These gifts reflect the Legion's enduring commitment to our community's health and well-being.

Read more about these impactful donations on our blog:

Photo: Nanaimo Lions Club members Bob Huck, Evelyn Smith, Larry Taylor, and Robert Fulcher, Leader Medical Imaging at NRGH.

Nanaimo Lions Club Donates $5,000 in Support of Second SPECT/CT Machine for NRGH 

The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is proud to celebrate the generosity of the Nanaimo Lions Club, whose recent $5,000 donation will support the addition of a second new SPECT/CT machine in the Imaging Department at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. 

Nanaimo Lions Club members Bob Huck, Evelyn Smith, and Larry Taylor joined us for a special cheque presentation and guided tour of the Imaging Department, where they saw firsthand how their gift will help enhance patient care for our growing community. 

A second SPECT/CT machine is essential to meeting the increasing demand for advanced imaging services. This technology provides highly detailed diagnostic images, supporting more accurate and timely diagnoses for patients across Central and North Vancouver Island. 

We are deeply grateful to the Nanaimo Lions Club for their continued dedication to improving healthcare in our region. Thank you, Lions Club — your support truly embodies our shared belief that “It’s in Our Nature to Give.” 

Soirée by the Sea

Nanaimo's Premier Seaside Event is Calling.

An unforgettable evening by the sea—with real impact across Central and North Vancouver Island. 

Last year, our community came together to help fund nine perinatal beds for the NRGH. With just 25% of tickets left, now's your moment to be part of something truly meaningful. 

Reserve your seat, enjoy an evening of meaning and celebration, and help strengthen healthcare for the region we all call home. Reach out to Tina.Moreira@islandhealth.ca for tickets or sponsorship opportunities. 

What's your vision for the future of healthcare on Central Vancouver Island?

You can be part of that vision with a legacy gift.

Contact Cheryl Onciul at Cheryl.Onciul@islandhealth.ca to learn how you can use your will to make an impact.

Follow us on social media to stay updated on inspiring stories, important news, and opportunities to support local healthcare.

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