$1 Million Matching Gift
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation is pleased to share a profound act of generosity: local philanthropist Craig Mearns is matching all donations up to $1 million made to the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign for greater impact at Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals.
Mearns has been a proud supporter of the Foundation since its inception in 1989, which he shared in a letter he penned to announce his gift.
“With deep thanks to the care provided here locally, I am committing to match all gifts to the Foundation’s It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign up to $1 million, because I believe this is a landmark campaign for our community. There has been nothing like it and I am proud to be investing in a suite of equipment that is innovative, transformative, and best in class,” shares local philanthropist and match donor, Craig Mearns. “Healthcare is the most vital and deserving cause we can support in our community. Every contribution counts toward change, and raising the bar in our community and for our community.”
It’s Time for Surgical Innovation launched on October 30, 2024, with the goal of raising
$17 million to bring best-in-class equipment to RJH and VGH operating rooms and introduce new minimally invasive surgical procedures to Vancouver Island. To date, the community has responded in unparalleled ways, helping the Foundation reach the $11 million milestone in the campaign’s $17 million endeavor. Mearns’ matching gift will provide further momentum for the surgical campaign.
“There is a great sense of pride for the work we are leading to redefine the surgical landscape here in Victoria, and this tremendous gift is a testament to a community that works together to achieve what is possible for local healthcare,” shares Avery Brohman, Victoria Hospitals Foundation CEO. “Craig’s commitment to our vision of bringing best-in-class services found only in the country’s largest health centres is evident through his ongoing philanthropic support. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership.”
It’s Time for Surgical Innovation introduced robotics to Vancouver Island earlier this month. On February 3, 2025, history was made when the first robotic-assisted surgeries took place at RJH. Within the first week, ten surgeries were performed by the surgical team of Dr. Jeff McCracken, Dr. Michael Metcalfe, Dr. Gregory Hosier, Dr. Iain McAuley, and Dr. John Kinahan. The urologists reported that the first patients were able to go home within 24 hours of their surgeries, instead of three-to-five days post-op, “smiling, pain-free, and with no nausea.”
In addition to robotics, the campaign is also introducing a suite of over 50 innovative equipment and technology pieces across five surgical specialities including general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT) and urology, further advancing minimally invasive local surgical procedures.
“The donor community is truly unique in Victoria and has helped the hospitals here keep pace with the largest and most advanced hospitals in the world. Along with the da Vinci surgical robot, there are a number of key pieces of surgical equipment being supported through the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign that will allow us to transform care for the patients of Vancouver Island,” shares urologist Dr. Greg Hosier in a letter to donors.
Contributions to It’s Time for Surgical Innovation can be made at www.victoriahf.ca/match, by calling 250-519-1750, or by visiting the Foundation office on the RJH campus at 1952 Bay Street in the Wilson Block. All contributions will be matched until the match is complete.
To learn more about the campaign, visit www.victoriahf.ca/itstime.
