Local Family Equips Surgery Programs at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals with $1 Million Donation
Victoria, B.C. — The Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) is celebrating a significant donation from the Wilson Lai (2016) Trust. The trustees made a $1 million donation to fund critical equipment in the Medical Device Reprocessing departments at Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals.
As an immigrant to Canada, the late Mr. Lai was a successful businessman and has left his estate to advance charitable causes here in Canada, as well as overseas. His family’s motto, translated to Received from Society, Giving Back to Society, led many charitable initiatives throughout Mr. Lai’s life, including this transformational gift.
To honour Mr. Lai’s generosity, the 7 North surgical recovery unit in the Patient Care Centre at RJH will be renamed the Wilson S.C. Lai Surgical Unit in the coming months.
“Because of Mr. Lai’s remarkable gift, critical equipment that could no longer be serviced is now being replaced to support every surgery performed in our hospitals,” said Avery Brohman, Executive Director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for Mr. Lai’s ongoing generosity and legacy. What a humbling reminder that we have many heroes to thank for advancing healthcare in our Victoria hospitals, both in the community and on the front line. On behalf of all who are benefitting, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
This donation will fund a new cart washer for the Medical Device Reprocessing Department at RJH and a new sterilizer at VGH. This crucial equipment was identified as a priority need by Island Health, and supports the cleaning and sterilizing of surgical equipment for thousands of surgeries every year. The Lai family viewed this equipment first-hand prior to COVID-19 and saw how their gift was already making a difference.
Mr. Lai and the Lai family have been supporting healthcare in Victoria for over 15 years, funding many pieces of medical equipment and staff education to support care providers throughout Island Health who wish to advance their skills. The generosity of the Lai family has funded scholarships for nurses to help with advanced education for critical work in our Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units. This was recognized by the naming of the Lai Brothers Lecture Theatre at RJH, which is a valuable asset for continuing education, especially during a crisis.
At all times, including in the face of new challenges like the development of COVID-19, donors like Mr. Lai are incredibly important to our healthcare system. In supporting our
hospitals’ greatest need, community members are able to give our care teams the tools they need at the right time. Donors fund 40% of the equipment in our hospitals, and are instrumental in supporting vital equipment, research, and education initiatives happening right here in our community for our patients.
Inspired by frontline caregivers and hospital staff at RJH and VGH, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation has launched Hospital Heroes of Victoria, a fundraising and awareness initiative that celebrates our healthcare professionals. Funds raised through this initiative support our hospitals’ Greatest Need Fund so care teams have access to any immediate support they may require as identified by Island Health, and the newly-launched It’s Critical campaign, VHF’s commitment for $1 million invested in critical care equipment today, and $6 million towards the first High Acuity Unit for Vancouver Island. It’s Critical responds to the needs of today, tomorrow and into the future, and will nearly double critical care capacity at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
To join Mr. Lai’s legacy and give back to our hospitals, donate now or call 250-519-1750.
