Members from the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare are actively fundraising for equipment at the Nanaimo Cancer Centre, due to the facility's benefit to those living on the north Island. (Image Credit: BC Cancer Foundation)

By Alex Rawnsley

north island healthcare

Comox group conducting first-of-its-kind fundraiser for Nanaimo Cancer Centre

May 18, 2026 | 5:54 AM

NANAIMO — For the first time ever, a Comox Valley-based organization is chipping in for a much-needed healthcare project down Island.

Members of the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare are matching donations up to $100,000 from Valley residents towards a new cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Auxiliary president Marie Skinner said it’s the first time in their history they’ve raised money for a project outside their immediate area, but the impacts of a Nanaimo-based centre will be huge for local residents.

“I was talking at one of the care homes earlier this month, and they said one of the biggest challenges they have is getting to appointments, and so with them being able to go to Nanaimo instead of having to go all the way to Victoria or Vancouver, it will make a big difference in the cost and in the time to stay for treatment.”

In support of the campaign, the Auxiliary presented a $100,000 cheque to the BC Cancer Foundation at the end of March and is running a campaign locally to collect $100,000 more.

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Money will go towards the Foundation’s purchase of equipment for the site, due to be completed in 2028.

“If you have family members that need to go to Victoria or Vancouver for treatment, the fact they can go just as far as Nanaimo makes a huge difference. To have it supporting people in the Valley in the way that it will is why we’re going beyond the boundary of the Comox Valley.”

Members of the Auxiliary are regularly set up at local malls and community events, soliciting donations.

Money can also be contributed online through the BC Cancer Foundation website.

Around half of all cancer cases diagnosed on Vancouver Island each year are from people living north of the Malahat.

The Nanaimo Cancer Centre is expected to provide treatment for as many as 1,600 patients at any one time.

Construction is well underway on the facility, with ground broken on the NRGH complex in late October.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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by Alex Rawnsley

Comox group conducting first-of-its-kind fundraiser for Nanaimo Cancer Centre

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