A fundraising campaign far exceeded expectations for the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation in their quest to build a senior-friendly ER at NRGH. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Potent campaign

‘It just took off like wildfire:’ health foundation fundraiser shatters expectations

Jan 22, 2026 | 6:08 AM

NANAIMO  — Despite a languishing economy and competing winter holiday season priorities, mid Islanders stepped up to the plate.

Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) recently capped its two-month long Annual Winter Campaign to fund primary health initiatives, which generated $2.9 million, far beyond the $1.25 million goal.

The campaign funds three causes, including the province’s first Senior Friendly Emergency Unit, to be located adjacent to Nanaimo hospital’s emergency department.

NDHF executive director Barney Ellis-Perry said he was “blown away” by how successful the campaign was.

“It just took off like wildfire” Ellis-Perry said. “We are in the highest density of seniors in Canada and people really decided to get behind, which we’re really honoured by.”

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Ellis-Perry said a pair of substantial donations paced the campaign, including $1 million from an anonymous Nanaimo cancer patient to support cancer care equipment at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH).

In December, Ellis-Perry said the Nanaimo-based Rogers Foundation provided $250,000 in matching donations to boost the campaign.

Over $1 million is earmarked to fully fund the pending Senior Friendly Emergency Unit, which will involve repurposing existing space into a new senior care and waiting area.

The unit will include more comfortable beds, stretchers, and equipment geared toward seniors in a visually and audibly calmed setting, Ellis-Perry said.

He noted a top gerontologist is designing the unit, who worked with hospital and emergency room leadership to design the unit.

Focus groups involving local seniors also guided the process, Ellis Perry said.

He believes many positive spin-off effects will result from the seniors’ emergency unit.

“A better patient experience when they come, and also hopefully reducing some of the burden on the emergency area, enabling hopefully faster flow-through for some of the other patients as well.”

Ellis-Perry said the seniors’ ER will be geared to patients 75-years-old and up.

With the required funds in hand, Ellis-Perry said hospital administration can now move forward on refining plans and reorganizing the space.

“And then order the equipment, we really hope to have this up and running by late fall, early winter.”

The NDHF Winter Campaign also resulted in $60,000 raised by Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary to purchase new fetal monitors, as well as improving primary infrastructure at Parksville’s Oceanside Urgent Care and Health Centre.

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