A new SPECT-CT scanner will be up and running at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital by the end of the year, further supporting local care on the mid-Island instead of having patients travel for a diagnosis. (submitted photo/NDHF)

By Alex Rawnsley

group effort

‘Really amazing:’ community donations secure new SPECT/CT scanner at Nanaimo hospital

Jul 15, 2025 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — The largest ever single-item campaign in the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation’s history has come to an end on the best possible note.

Through more than 1,400 individual and group donations, the Foundation managed to raise $2.9 million for a new SPECT/CT scanner at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), including $1.8 million for specific room renovations to accommodate the specialized diagnostic machine.

Foundation CEO Barney Ellis-Perry told NanaimoNewsNOW the new machine replaces severely outdated equipment and will aid in diagnosing severe health issues close to home, instead of sending patients to Victoria or Vancouver.

“A regular CT scanner is amazing, but it is a certain level. A SPECT/CT takes it to the next level, because it brings to it nuclear imaging. When [patients] are told by the doctor to get this scan, this image, it’s because the doctor suspects something really serious. It’s a very stressful time for people.”

Unlike some past donation campaigns, which were aided by larger contributions through corporate or legacy gifts, a vast majority of this fundraiser came from smaller contributions.

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It also came in record time, around eight months.

Highlights included $100,000 from the Tom Harris Community Classic golf tournament, and over $115,000 from a viral online campaign through local Realtor Carly Carey.

Nearly $50,000 was also raised through the most recent Smile Cookie campaign with Tim Hortons.

But it was the more than 1,000 individual donors who gave to the cause, including many community groups, smaller corporate contributions and private events.

The scanner will join one added to NRGH around 18 months ago, providing better resolution and dianostic capabilities. (submitted photo/NDHF)

Ellis-Perry said they’re having conversations with people on a daily basis about ways they can contribute.

“That is really amazing when that happens, and that opens doors to conversations that we may not otherwise get to have. The community is really sort of wrapping their heads around the need to advocate for healthcare and for their own healthcare in a really powerful way.”

Procurement and installation of the new scanner is eyed to be complete by the end of the year, however rapidly changing global economic conditions could disrupt timelines.

Varying tariffs and trade partnerships will affect how quickly, and at what cost, the Foundation and Island Health can secure the new machine.

“The previous machine that was put in 18 months ago was from a German supplier, so if I were a betting person, I would imagine that it’ll be European, because the provincial government has said that ‘thou shalt not buy American equipment’ unless you have an exception…so we are very impacted by tariffs and that affects a lot of the funding we do.”

Last year, according to Ellis-Perry, the Foundation funded $3.7 million in equipment with many of the items purchased coming from American suppliers.

He said the changing global landscape is causing “a scramble” at Island Health’s purchasing department to seek out non-U.S. vendors.

The next major milestone for the Foundation will be officially opening a new 12-bed High Acuity Unit at NRGH, which is weeks away from completion.

Originally scheduled for a spring opening, delays occurred in part due to the global economic situation and strains on supply chains.

Donors are scheduled for a walk-through of the facility in mid-August and Ellis-Perry expects patients will be using the new space by September.

It will work in tandem with a 12-bed intensive care unit which opened in 2023.

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