It took three years, thousands of volunteer hours and more than 3,500 donors, but the Victoria Hospitals Foundation made history this week by reaching its $25-million goal for the Building Care Together campaign.
Campaign chair Leslie Farrell was unable to contain her beaming smile as she stepped towards the podium at the Royal Jubilee Patient Care Centre to make the announcement official on Friday.
"We were challenged many times in many ways on this goal, but I always knew as a community we'd achieve it," Farrell said.
More than 100 donors and supporters were on hand, including Victoria Hospitals Foundation board chair Alan Lowe, Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO and president of Island Health, and B.C. philanthropist Jim Pattison, who pledged earlier this year to match donations up to $5 million for the remainder of the campaign.
"You are one of Canada's finest business leaders and philanthropists, and we're glad you picked us," Farrell told Pattison.
The hospital renamed the Patient Care Centre's atrium and concourse in honour of Pattison for his gift earlier this year.
Highlights of the celebration included a performance by world renowned harpist Julia Cunningham and multi-talented Victoria musician Daniel Lapp. Outside, Victoria Firefighters rappelled down the eight-storey Patient Care Centre to unfurl a 30-foot banner thanking the community for their donations. Singer Georgia Murray wrapped up the event with a special performance for the community.
The $25.2 million in funds will be used to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment for the hospital. The foundation has already helped pay for smart beds, vital signs monitoring equipment, medication dispensing cabinets and rehabilitation equipment at the hospital.
Farrell and Lowe expressed their deep gratitude on behalf of the foundation and Building Care Together Campaign committee.
“This is a wonderful day for our community, and the patients and their families who rely on the world class care delivered in this hospital," Farrell said. "Thank you to each and every donor for helping us not only achieve, but surpass, this monumental goal.”
See a list of known donors and find out more at buildingcare.ca.
The Foundation also released a lipdub video that features Island Health employees lip-syncing and dancing to celebrate the completion of the $25 million campaign (see below):
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