The cheque presentation of a record-breaking $27,500 raised by local Tim Hortons for the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation's push to purchase equipment for NRGH's new ICU. (Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SMILE

Record-breaking cookie campaign pushes NRGH closer to new ICU

Nov 14, 2021 | 6:01 AM

NANAIMO — Locals clearly have a sweet tooth and a passion for fundraising.

The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation said a record $27,500 was raised in 2021 during the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign in September.

Janice Krall, chief development officer of the foundation, told NanaimoNewsNOW the money will go towards supporting a major healthcare project at NRGH.

“All of the proceeds are going towards our intensive care unit and all of the state of the art medical equipment required for our hospital’s new ICU. It’s very important we get this ICU up and running for patients and patient care as soon as possible.

The Foundation needs to raise $5 million in order to furnish the unit with new equipment to raise the level of urgent care at the hospital.

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Nanaimo’s ICU is among the oldest facilities of its kind in B.C. however routinely ranks high in national lists for positive patient outcomes, according to the foundation.

Construction on the new facility broke ground in February, 2021. The facility will serve critically ill patients on Vancouver Island from areas north of the Malahat highway.

The Smile Cookie campaign began 25 years ago in Ontario as a way to help the Hamilton Children’s Hospital.

Campaigns in Nanaimo since have helped raise over $200,000.

Krall said the local Tim Horton’s restaurants get excited about this event and are always phenomenal to work with. She added the local restaurants went above and beyond at NRGH throughout the pandemic.

“They donated treats and special things to the NRGH staff. They brought their vehicle to Dufferin Place and shared treats, coffee, and donuts for the residents.”

She said the community always goes the extra mile for this campaign as well.

This year a number of local car dealerships challenged each other to see who could raise the most with 156 dozen cookies purchased, raising $1,872.

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