Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
330 East Columbia Street V3L 3W7 New Westminster, BC, Canada

In each moment since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared nearly one year ago, heroes like Gary have fought for their patients with all of their heart as they always have and always will. As we approach both Valentine’s Day and Family Day, now is the perfect time to show our Royal Columbian family just how much you appreciate their efforts. Give #WithHeartforHeroes at rchfoundation.com/featured-campaigns/with-heart-for-heroes or by texting Hero to 80100. Our thanks to healthcare hero and Royal Columbian anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Johnson for matching all gifts made, up to $50,000.

Tasked with treating some of the province’s most seriously ill and injured patients, the demand on Royal Columbian’s healthcare heroes has intensified as the COVID-19 pandemic carries on. Follow along this month as we feature donor-funded resources that have helped our heroes navigate this crisis. This week, we explore two ultrasounds purchased with help from our donors which have supported the work of Royal Columbian’s anesthesiologists during the pandemic. For our heroe...s, the fight isn’t over. But you can help them keep fighting. Give #WithHeartforHeroes and help provide the tools they need to carry out their vital work safely, and give their patients the best outcomes possible. Give at rchfoundation.com/featured-campaigns/with-heart-for-heroes or text Hero to 80100. Our thanks to Royal Columbian anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Johnson for matching all gifts made up to $50,000.

Happy Lunar New Year! From all of us at the Foundation, we wish you good health and happiness in the coming year. Please celebrate safely and continue to follow public health orders.

During Fraser Health Foundations Week, we continue to honour the caregivers who face the challenges of #COVID19 with dedication and resolve. Make your gift #WithHeartforHeroes in support of their efforts. Donate and learn more about the impact of your giving at rchfoundation.com/featured-campaigns/with-heart-for-heroes. #10timesthanks

A big thank you to Charlotte, Sophie, Emily, Maddie, and Hailey from Sutherland Secondary for creating beautiful holiday cards to thank our healthcare heroes for their hard work! The cards were handed out at Royal Columbian before Christmas to help brighten the season.

In the face of numerous challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Royal Columbian Hospital’s healthcare heroes have demonstrated their dedication and resolve over the past year. With help from anesthesiologist Dr. Paula Meyler, who photographed her colleagues on our behalf, we pay tribute to those who are providing care during the pandemic. Our healthcare heroes are fighting with all of their heart as they always have, and always will. Give #WithHeartforHeroes and help provide them with the tools they need to keep fighting. Donate and your gift will be matched by Royal Columbian anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Johnson, up to $50,000. Give at rchfoundation.com/featured-campaigns/with-heart-for-heroes or text 'hero' to 80100.

End the year with one more cheer for Royal Columbian’s healthcare heroes! 2020 is coming to a close, but there is still time to make your final gift of the year. Donate today to qualify for a 2020 charitable tax receipt. Your gift will help our heroes continue to fight for those who need them most. Donate at rchfoundation.com/holiday.

Our heartfelt thanks to 13-year-old, and NICU alumni, Insiyah for organizing a fundraiser for premature babies. Insiyah has partnered with the creator of the Zaky HUG as well as Rogers Wireless to help promote her fundraising campaign. To learn more or to help Insiyah reach her fundraising goal, please visit: insiyah-thezaky.ca.

We take a moment to recognize Dr. Gerald Simkus, one of the Foundation’s Champions of Philanthropy and a leader in cardiology who helped grow our cardiac catheterization lab into the busiest in Canada for angioplasty. While he will continue to care for his patients in his office practice, Dr. Simkus performed his final procedure in the cath lab and is hanging up his catheters. Congratulations on a distinguished career that has involved life-saving work at Royal Columbian for over two decades.

Our donors and those of the other healthcare foundations throughout Fraser Health have a powerful impact on patient care, including while we navigate the challenges of the pandemic. #10timesthanks

The year is almost over, but there is still time to make a final gift in 2020! Your donation will help Royal Columbian Hospital’s healthcare heroes fight for British Columbians in their most critical moments. By making your contribution on or before December 31st, you will also qualify for a 2020 charitable tax receipt. Donate at rchfoundation.com/holiday.

The holidays have a much more profound meaning for me this year. That’s because for several weeks, my family wasn’t sure I would survive to see the end of 2020. Roger Pinette, COVID-19 Survivor Just a few months ago, COVID-19 threatened Roger’s life. Now, he is back at home with his wife for the holidays. This is because he was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital, and cared for by a team who are supported by our donors. End this year with one more cheer for the heroes who saved Roger’s life. Make your holiday gift at rchfoundation.com/holiday.

Thank you for joining the fight for BC’s smallest and most vulnerable patients! The Foundation is incredibly grateful to all those who made #GivingTuesday gifts benefiting Royal Columbian’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We are pleased to announce that nearly $45,000 has been raised in support of the NICU to date. With the help of our donors, we are now able to purchase equipment vital to the care of NICU patients, such as a Neonatal Ultrasound Probe and several NeoPuff Infant Resuscitators. A sincere thank you, once again, to Royal Columbian’s NICU physicians, pediatricians, and pediatric specialists for leading our #GivingTuesdayNICU fundraising efforts.

Merry Christmas from the Foundation! As 2020 comes to a close, we want to thank all of those within our communities who have helped to support the work of our healthcare heroes during what has been an immensely challenging year. Thank you for joining the fight for those who continue to fight for all of us. If you wish to make a gift this holiday season, you can do so at rchfoundation.com/holiday.

Today, on #NationalPhilanthropyDay, we want to thank our donors for their incredible support and for helping our #healthcareheroes fight for BC's most seriously ill and injured patients.

Celebrate safely this Diwali by following public health advice.

As part of our response to the pandemic, our donors have generously purchased a germ-killing robot for Royal Columbian- one of 14 new robots being deployed across Fraser Health hospitals. #COVID19

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has begun this week at Fraser Health. Hear what it means to some of the first from our region to take part in this stage of the pandemic.

This #GivingTuesday, join the fight for patients like Lucy and Zoey. Make a gift and your donation will be matched by Royal Columbian’s NICU physicians, pediatricians, and pediatric specialists! Born 10 weeks early, Lindsay and David’s twin girls began their lives at Royal Columbian’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where they depended on care from the hospital’s dedicated NICU team. To give BC’s smallest and most vulnerable patients the best outcomes possible, Royal C...olumbian’s healthcare team needs access to the best tools and resources, which you can help provide. Make a #GivingTuesday gift to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and help us purchase equipment vital to the care of seriously ill and premature babies equipment like NeoPuff Infant Resuscitators and a Neonatal Ultrasound Probe. Give on or before December 1st and your gift will be matched! Donate at rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY to 20222. Follow Lindsay on Instagram at @madewithartandsoul.

Royal Columbian's Staff 50/50 Lottery

I always feel that words are never enough to tell of my gratitude or the deep-rooted admiration I have in my heart for Royal Columbian’s NICU team. Thank you, not only for caring for Hazel, but for taking the time to ensure we her parents were doing alright. Our family is thriving because of them and we owe them more than we could possibly give. Courtney Petrunia, grateful mom (Instagram: @petruniafive) Today, on #GivingTuesday, join the fight for patients like Hazel P! Give at rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY to 20222.

Today, on #WorldPrematurityDay, join the fight for BC's smallest and most vulnerable patients. We are incredibly proud of our track record as one of the top Neonatal Intensive Care Units for survival rates in Canada. The work that we do in the NICU cannot be done without support from Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and its generous donors. - Dr. Zenon Cieslak, neonatal physician, Royal Columbian Hospital This Giving Tuesday, make a gift to Royal Columbian Hospital Fou...ndation, and support the purchase of equipment like NeoPuff Infant Resuscitators and a Neonatal Ultrasound Probe to help care for Royal Columbian’s NICU patients. Give on or before December 1st and Royal Columbian’s neonatal physicians, pediatricians, and pediatric specialists will match your gift, doubling your impact at Royal Columbian! Donate at rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY at 20222.

Not one to rest on his laurels after a remarkable 50 years at Royal Columbian Hospital, Dr. Arun Garg is already anticipating the next big development in healthcare. Learn how you can help at rchfoundation.com/mindful-of-the-future.

This #GivingTuesday, have twice the impact on patients like Hazel P. Make a gift and it will be matched by Royal Columbian’s NICU physicians, pediatricians, and pediatric specialists. To give, visit rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY to 20222. Just over three years ago, our 780-gram baby daughter arrived into the world with a tiny squeak. When she was born, my first thought was one of relief relief that, at Royal Columbian Hospital, Hazel was finally in a s...afe place with people who could give her the best chance at living. The days and weeks following Hazel’s birth were incredibly hard. But despite the challenges we faced, Royal Columbian’s neonatal team were our constant source of support and guidance during Hazel’s 116 day stay in the NICU. And for that we are so thankful. Courtney Petrunia, grateful mom (Instagram: @petruniafive) Your Giving Tuesday gift will support the purchase of vital equipment to aid in the care of patients like Hazel. Donate today at rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY to 20222.

The RCH Walk of Philanthropy celebrates those from our RCH family who have generously donated to help our hospital provide the highest level of care to some of the province’s most seriously ill and injured patients. Are you a family donor and want to be want to be part of our Walk of Philanthropy? Donations will be accepted until December 31, 2020. Donate and learn more about our recognition giving levels at rchfoundation.com/rchgivingheroes. Take a selfie with one of our RCH Walk of Philanthropy decals and post it to social media with the hashtag #rchgivingheroes for your chance to win a prize!

To stay safe, we can pay tribute to our veterans from home this year. New Westminster’s ceremony is being live-streamed online starting at 10:30 am. For more information, visit https://www.newwestcity.ca/calendar-of-even/events/6264.php

Roger Pinette was among the first and longest to be on a ventilator at Royal Columbian Hospital because of COVID-19 during the first wave. Fortunately, he returned back home after spending months in care and is now sharing his story. For more details, visit https://rchfoundation.com/roger-pinettes-story/

At a time when our Royal Columbian Hospital family are working hard to keep our community safe and healthy, the Foundation has decided to spread some love and kindness throughout the hospital with our Random Acts of Kindness Departmental Challenge. We kicked it off with a delivery of treats to our Respiratory Therapy department during the recent #RTweek. The initiative is part of our efforts to support the wellness and morale of those at the hospital who continue to face the challenge of #COVID19. Stay tuned to see who is up next! #RCHFcares2020

Today, join the fight for patients like Harper! Make your #GivingTuesday gift at rchfoundation.com/giving-tuesday-2020 or text BABY to 20222. Our family has a special place in our hearts for the staff in the Maternity Unit and the NICU at the Royal Columbian Hospital. A month before our daughter Harper's emergency c-section, I was placed on bed rest in the maternity unit. I was given such great care and knew that I was in the best hands possible. Harper arrived 6.5 weeks ear...ly and had trouble breathing, along with many other complications. She spent 55 days in the NICU. All of the doctors and nurses that helped take such great care of Harper mean so much to us. We felt how much passion they put into their jobs each and every day. They cared for our baby like she was theirs. Harper has had quite the struggle since leaving the NICU but we are confident that our Preemie Graduate will move mountains! And we will be forever grateful for the care Harper and I received at the Royal Columbian Hospital. Nicole Serres, grateful mom (Instagram: @the_serresfam)

A huge thank you to Annika and Faith (a RCH NICU alumni) for their incredible fundraising efforts supporting Royal Columbian Hospital’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Through selling their handmade bracelets to friends and family, they raised an amazing $226 for our NICU!

John and Jennie Hik were high school sweethearts who were married for almost 61 years. They also shared a decades-long commitment to @RoyalColumbian. For more on the impact they have had, visit our website. rchfoundation.com/john-jennie-hiks-story.

The Foundation is immensely grateful to the many donors who supported our recent ShareGivers for Caregivers appeal, helping to raise more than $200,000! Our sincere thanks goes to Foundation board member, Rana Vig, for leading this initiative and generously matching all gifts made.

Our thanks to Roger Pinette for sharing his story with us and others after a near-fatal case of #COVID19 this past spring. https://vancouversun.com//he-awoke-to-a-pandemic-that-near

Today is the final day of the community gratitude challenge, post your gratitude posts and participate in the Silent Auction, which closes tonight at 11:59pm. Visit Thankathon.ca for details #Thankathon2020 #DouglasCollege #GlobalBC #CKNW #AlpineCredits #Piva #NewWestChamber

Royal Columbian Staff 50/50 Lotto!

Congratulations to David McDonald, an inaugural member of the 1862 Council. In keeping with the spirit and creation of the visionary leaders who had the wisdom and foresight to open Royal Columbian Hospital in 1862, the Foundation has created the 1862 Council to honour notable individuals who have influenced the evolution and advancement of healthcare at Royal Columbian Hospital through their contributions of time, talent, and treasure.

Videoconferencing has quickly become a regular part of many of our lives ever since #COVID19. Read how @RoyalColumbian cardiac program has been using #telemedicine for years, to the benefit of patients and our healthcare system. Fraser Health rchfoundation.com/virtual-cardiac-care/

Mike Wilkinson lived with excruciating facial pain for close to two years. Learn how a Royal Columbian neurosurgeon provided the relief he so desperately needed at rchfoundation.com/mike-wilkinsons-story.

Special offer from Piva modern italian restaurant in New Westminster for front-line workers at Royal Columbian Hospital to celebrate Thanksgiving. Join us at Piva for brunch or dinner on October 10 or 11; we would be very happy to offer a complimentary appetizer for your table as thanks for your care, attention and hard work. Contact Christopher McFadden at [email protected] for more information and to make a reservation.

A huge thank you to Douglas College for being our Presenting sponsor for the Community Gratitude Challenge, put on by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce.

We are sending our thanks to Piva modern italian for sponsoring our VIP event, the Magic of Gratitude Virtual Gala for the Community Gratitude Challenge.

A group of visionary leaders had the wisdom and foresight to open Royal Columbian Hospital in 1862. In keeping with the spirit and creation of those leaders, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has created the 1862 Council to honour notable individuals who have influenced the evolution and advancement of healthcare at Royal Columbian Hospital through their contributions of time, talent, and treasure.... Congratulations to the Royal Columbian Hospital Auxiliary, an inaugural member of the 1862 Council.

Join us this evening for the Magic of Gratitude Virtual Gala (sponsored by Piva modern italian). Tickets are $70 and includes a $50 gift card from PIVA. Not your usual zoom meeting, this event allows opportunity for networking with community leaders, plus a live magic show with Rod Boss. This event is part of New Westminster Chamber of Commerce's Community Gratitude Challenge, presented by Douglas College. ... newwestchamber.com/event-4002733 See more

Happy 10th anniversary to Royal Columbian’s Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Function Clinics, which first opened on this day in 2010. Starting back then with a single patient, the team now manages almost 1,400 patients for irregular heart rhythms or heart failure from throughout the health region. Fraser Health

Happy birthday to Royal Columbian Hospital! Royal Columbian first opened on October 7, 1862.

Congratulations to our friends at Southern Railway of British Columbia for being nominated for an AFP Greater Vancouver Giving Hearts Award in the category of Outstanding Corporation!

I chose to support Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation because both of my children were born at Royal Columbian and the healthcare team there took such good care of me and my family. My Front Steps Project was born from a desire to give back and help the hospital during such a difficult time. My goal was to put a smile on the faces of the families I worked with, to spread love and joy through my photography, and to bring the community together. I am grateful to all of the fa...milies who took part in my Front Steps Project. Gina Spanos, photographer Gina started the Front Steps project as a unique way to support Royal Columbian Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the project, Gina photographed families at their homes from a safe distance, donating her time in return for a gift to the Foundation. Our thanks to Gina, who raised over $5,000 through her initiative! Learn how you can support Royal Columbian through your own fundraiser at rchfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/fundraise.

Thank you for everyone who followed along as we celebrated the impact of our 2020 Champions of Philanthropy! For more information about Champions of Philanthropy or to find out how you can become more involved with the Foundation, please contact [email protected].

"We are incredibly inspired by the outstanding work that the health care teams and staff do at Royal Columbian Hospital. It's so important to each of us personally to invite our friends and family to support critical care and save lives - thanks to all of them for their support of us." - Salima Mawji, Sofia Janmohamed, and Feroza Jamal, Ismaili Friends and Family Fundraiser planning committee The Ismaili Friends and Family Fundraiser began as a way for three Royal Columbia...n Hospital Foundation employees to give back to their community. Today, it has grown into a beloved annual event that has raised over $14,000 since its inception. Learn more about this year’s virtual fundraiser at rchfoundation.akaraisin.com/fundraise/FFF20. Give back, your way, by starting your own fundraiser. Build a fundraising page at rchfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/fundraise.

Congratulations to Dr. Albert Chan a 2020 Champion of Philanthropy! Today the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is celebrating his profound commitment to philanthropy of RCH. As a key connection for the Foundation to the hospital’s interventional cardiology program, Dr. Albert Chan has regularly assisted the Foundation in developing donor support for the cardiac cath lab. Dr. Chan has facilitated introductions to grateful patients who have then made substantial donations, and he has helped the Foundation share numerous remarkable patient stories that have raised awareness about the exceptional work of the cardiac team. Learn more about Canada’s top performing Cath Lab at RCH at https://rchfoundation.com/royal-columbian-remains-tops-in-/

RCH Staff Lottery

Every year we have a walk to raise funds and honour our father and husband who died from esophageal cancer. Education and prevention of esophageal cancer is very important to us. The Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has supported us by helping to get the message out that esophageal cancer can be managed with early diagnosis. Our funds have helped to purchase scopes for this diagnosis. The Foundation has been a wonderful organization to work with and they have enabled us to help others with their online donation page. Nicola Smith, organizer of Gary’s Walk By organizing your own fundraiser, you can support Royal Columbian in a way that is meaningful to you. Get started by building your own fundraising page at rchfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/fundraise.