It was a million-dollar moment as the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary handed over to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital the single largest cheque in the 125-year history of the partnership.
The auxiliary presented a $1-million cheque as its annual donation at an event Monday, March 31, at the Beban Park Social Centre.
"We had an amazing year last year financially, which seemed to be the icing on the cake for this year," said Pat Sweeney, the auxiliary's interim president. "So we can give two big donations, $1 million to the hospital and $250,000 to the new Nanaimo Cancer Centre."
Not only did the money raised for the hospital increase from $800,000 raised in 2023 to $1 million in 2024, volunteer hours also experienced a boost from about 42,000 hours in 2023 to 52,500 in 2024.
"I've never signed a million-dollar cheque before, so we're really pleased that we can do this," Sweeney said.
The donation is made up of money raised from the auxiliary's hospital gift store, thrift store and craft sales, as well as individual contributions, 50/50 tickets and other initiatives.
Sweeney said she believed it was a combination of several factors that led to such a successful year including economic pressures bringing more people to the thrift store and some new business ideas put into fruition from members.
"I think the economy is pretty slow for a lot of people, and so if they can shop on an economical basis that's very important."
The auxiliary thrift store held its first Christmas in July sale in 2024, selling a large amount of Christmas items received outside the yule season. Another initiative was the store's fall coat and jacket extravaganza, as well as providing used books for purchase at the hospital gift store.
"When they first brought this up I thought, 'nobody is going to buy used books at a gift shop' but it's a huge success. Sometimes we've got to try things a little bit differently…" Sweeney said. "If it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world."
Suzie Vinden, NRGH's operations director for perioperative, ambulatory care and the medical device re-processing department, told the News Bulletin that the $1 million will go toward equipment including rapid infusers to treat blood loss, a carbon dioxide laser for cancer treatments, and a transthoracic echocardiogram used to diagnose patients.
The carbon dioxide laser alone she estimated to cost about $350,000.
"We limp along, we have equipment we can't repair anymore or we duct tape it, literally, or superglue it, or buy parts on eBay," Vinden said. "A lot of this equipment is worth $500,000-$750,000. Waiting for the ministry to supply us with the funds is often difficult because there's so many competing priorities."
She added that the money may also be used for comfort items for emergency care packs, and families receiving perinatal care.
Sweeney said there are many ways to support the auxiliary through volunteering, donating or shopping.
"One hundred and twenty-five years ago a group of ladies decided they would start an auxiliary to help the hospital," she said. "Nanaimo had 6,000 people. I wonder what they would think if they could see us now."
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/p/Nanaimo-Hospital-Auxiliary-Thrift-Store-100063634147299.
