Campbell River Hospital Foundation

Organization Mission Statement

The Campbell River Hospital Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds to support the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Yucalta Lodge through equipment purchase, staff education and special projects that help enhance the service and treatment of patients and residents.

The organization serves the following population

North Island Hospital Campbell River Campus serves a population of approximately 54,000, including Campbell River, the North Island and Discovery Islands.

The funds donated will be used to

Just Like Home: Together When Families Need It Most

Imagine your loved one needing vital medical care, life-saving surgery, or cancer care. Now imagine driving more than 200km to access that care.  Campbell River Hospital serves 32 communities and is the first point of referral for emergencies and illnesses, including industrial and workplace accidents, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory problems and other diseases. 

Each day, families from North Vancouver Island and the Central Coast of BC travel four hours or more to receive medical care at Campbell River Hospital. During moments of crisis, this travel time, combined with finding appropriate accommodation near the hospital, can contribute to increased emotional and economic stress for both patients and their families.  For these reasons, some will also postpone or forgo medical care.  Unfortunately, when they do visit our hospital, their health is at greater risk.

For Lisa and her family, trips to Campbell River Hospital are all too familiar. Both Lisa’s father and mother-in-law battled cancer in Campbell River, and being able to visit them meant staying in hotels nearby and stocking the hotel room mini-fridge with groceries. In times of crisis, having loved ones nearby can be incredibly healing; however, Lisa’s family knows all too well that the cost of accommodations, food, and parking can quickly add up and put a sizeable strain on a family’s income.

A few years ago, right as COVID-19 was beginning to spread, Lisa suffered what she and doctors thought was a stroke and spent time in Campbell River Hospital. Although her doctors have determined that she did not suffer a stroke, Lisa continues to live with an undiagnosed illness and the subsequent follow-up medical appointments and testing. These trips while vital, have placed an immense financial and emotional strain on Lisa’s family, from the cost of travelling back and forth to finding appropriate accommodations. The Just like Home Lodge would have made all the difference in the world to Lisa and her family. 

The Just like Home Lodge will be a safe haven for patients and loved ones who find themselves having to travel to Campbell River for specialized care or procedures that are not available in their home communities. This 10-bedroom lodge will feature separate sleeping rooms with private washrooms, a communal living space, a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. The plans also include areas for Recreational Vehicles with hook-ups and a walkway with easy access to the hospital.

The organizations current sources of funding are

Campbell River Altrusa and Grieg Seafood.

 

Visit their website for more information: crhospitalfoundation.ca

 

This nomination has been reviewed by the 100 Women Who Care committee and meets all criteria.