Life in BC is better because of VGH. Together with UBC Hospital and GF Strong Rehab Centre it is – as our dedicated supporters well know, the largest, most specialized hospital
in the province.

The simple truth is,
if you are seriously ill or injured, our hospitals are your best chance. They are acclaimed for breakthrough treatments, and exceptional care.

And, all of it is available to every adult in British Columbia.		 A New Year's message from Ron Dumouchelle, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation



At VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, we strive every year to raise the essential funds over and above public funding that our medical teams need to save lives and deliver excellent care. On behalf of the more than 600,000 patients who benefit directly each year, I sincerely thank you for your support.

For most of our donors, giving is a result of an experience that opened their eyes to what it really means to have access to hospital and health care of such high calibre.


They discovered in a very personal way, that donating to ensure good health care for those you love can trump all other causes.

And as we look forward to the year ahead, I hope you'll take a few minutes to browse through some of these inspiring stories.

As we head into 2013, the foundation is stepping up efforts to help our hospitals and ommunity health services keep pace with the growing demand. We will continue to work hard to ensure that the best care is always there when you need it.


Ron Dumouchelle, President & CEO

Stroke Care - When every second counts
VGH is proud to have BC's first and only stroke hotline

Stroke care at VGH

Approximately 1,500 people are hospitalized for stroke at VGH
every year.

VGH is home to BC's first and only stroke hotline, with specially-trained stroke neurologists on-call 24/7/365.

Their life-saving expertise
is available – day or night – to every emergency room doctor, family practitioner, or neurologist across the province.

VGH is the training ground for the future generation of neurologists in BC and beyond.
The Stroke Centre's mission is to aggressively reduce impacts of a stroke. It can strip you of your intellect, your independence, your speech, your dignity and in the end your life.


 Every year, more than 6,000 British Columbians suffer a stroke. And another 45,000 are living with its devastating effects. VGH is BC's stroke hospital. Officially called the BC Centre for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease at VGH, it is recognized nationally for our exceptional clinical expertise and experience.

Stroke is a disease where every second counts – a disease that can strip you of your ability to speak, to see, to walk, to read and write, all in a matter of minutes. Donations to the stroke program at VGH are critically important to help ensure that the right equipment is available to save lives.

Dr. Philip Teal, head of the Stroke Program at VGH


Donor support makes 2012 Angel Campaign a resounding success Heartfelt messages from our supporters

To Dr Yee - thank you for saving my life
— Christine

Thanks to the wonderfully caring staff at VGH and GF Strong, our daughter is making an incredible recovery.

To the Burn Unit for saving my life & being so kind ­— Mr. Wood

To the Emergency Staff - Thank you for all the times my family and
I have visited and been helped. It's always been better than the stories say!

Christine Stathers gives her angel to Dr. John Yee

 

Thank you to all our donors who supported the 'Angels at VGH' campaign this year.

For 11 years running, a special holiday tradition has taken place at VGH - the Angel campaign - sponsored by CBC again in 2012.

Paper angels, which hang on trees in the atrium at VGH, are a way for grateful patients and hospital supporters to honour special guardian angels in their lives - a loved one, or a special doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

Thousands of angels were received from donors just like you and placed in our "Winter Wonderland" at our Angel celebration on December 12th.

It was a special day for all involved with grateful patient and double lung transplant recipient Christine Stathers honouring all of her angels including Dr. John Yee.

The angel ornaments with messages of thanks, hope and healing were a cheerful sight, lifting the spirits of patients during the holiday season.

This outpouring of support funds equipment, patient care and research benefitting people from across our province. All of which is absolutely essential to providing BC's best care for adults.


Doctor's cross-Canada run generates almost $560,000 for Vancouver Prostate Centre

Dr. Riley Senft's cross-Canada 'Step Into Action' run, benefitting the Vancouver Prostate Centre, detoured past VGH, and concluded at Jack Poole Plaza.
Why, you might wonder, would an Ireland-trained, Manitoba-based doctor run across Canada raising awareness and money for a prostate centre in Vancouver?

For BC-raised anesthesiologist Dr. Riley Senft, the answer is very personal. He lost a grandfather to prostate cancer—and the outcome might have been different if he'd been tested in a timely manner. Now, Dr. Senft's father, Rod Senft is also suffering from the disease. Dr. Senft's message is clear: a simple exam can determine your prostate health and could save your life.

"Too many men hide from an unpleasant test, and are left to face serious consequences," he said during his grueling journey from Newfoundland to Vancouver.

Along the way, Dr. Senft dispensed prostate facts—and raised more than $560,000 for the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH, where doctors have led the way in improving life and longevity for prostate cancer patients in Canada.
 
Ian Denison - Changing lives, One wheelchair at a time
  At GF Strong, the largest rehabilitation centre in BC, it takes many experts to deliver its renowned treatment and counseling for patients. One of them is physiotherapist Ian Denison, a specialist in equipment – which most often means wheelchairs.

It takes many experts including doctors, rehab nurses, physical & occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists to deliver its world-renowned treatment and counseling for patients who have suffered spinal cord or brain injuries. One of them is physiotherapist Ian Denison. A specialist in equipment—Ian is an expert when it comes to wheelchairs. In fact, he's the only person in BC with this expertise.

It might surprise you to learn that wheelchair selection is a complex business. Ian explains there are more than 3.5 quadrillion configurations and adjustments that can be made to wheelchairs!

Choosing the best one means navigating many variables and nuances, and preventing serious dangers. For GF Strong Rehab Centre doctors and patients, Ian has had that big challenge covered for 18 years.

His work is a shining example of how GF Strong teams—with essential support from you—ensure the best of rehabilitative care, and help people move forward with their lives.
Seniors Support Cardiology Care at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital
Long time Vancouverites, Jack and Elly Senior want the best for the future of our hospitals. In fact, Jack was born four blocks away from VGH and has always considered it his hospital.

As part of their estate plan, they have made a gift in support of cardiology care at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital. Back in 2007 Jack had surgery at VGH to repair a heart valve and has been thankful ever since.

"It's good to know you have an excellent hospital to depend on when you need it. Donor support goes beyond what the government can provide."		 Just like you, Jack & Elly know their gift will help create a better future in health care.

Cardiology leaders, Dr. Kenneth Gin, Dr. Saul Isserow, and their teams, along with VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, are grateful for the gift which will help ensure that all patients receive high-calibre heart care well into the future.