The front line. The people risking their lives for us, protecting and caring for us.

You have been hearing about the front lines for weeks, locally, nationally, and internationally. We know you are eager to help.

You understand the challenges ahead, and you want to help in a way that makes a difference today. And one that lasts well into the future. We believe that now is a critical time to make a lasting impact. To equip our front line heroes and our hospitals with what is needed to deliver the exceptional care that each of us anticipates when we call on our hospitals.

There is nothing more important than the health of our community—the health of your loved ones, and of our front line workers, and this couldn’t be truer right now. Together, our community can ensure that our hospitals are equipped for the many impacts of COVID-19, today and tomorrow.

You may have heard Dr. Bonny Henry and Minister Adrian Dix speak to the vital role of critical care and High Acuity Units (HAUs). High Acuity Units are an intermediary step between Intensive Care and Acute Care.  For us here in Victoria, High Acuity Units are not yet a reality.

“We needed this yesterday,” shares Omar Ahmad, Department Head of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine with Island Health. And with Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) acting as Victoria’s primary site for COVID-19 response, we knew we couldn’t wait any longer.

With your help, we’re launching our largest fundraising campaign in over a decade. Now is the time, and we know our community is behind us. 

“Today we are facing unprecedented times, and all members of the Island Health family are responding with energy, commitment and compassion for those we are privileged to serve,” shared Leah Hollins, Board Chair, Island Health. “While Island Health hospitals are currently treating our initial COVID-19 confirmed patients, we know that number will increase and we will be ready to support their needs. We are so grateful for the support of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s donors to help our care teams on the front line today, and for tomorrow as well. Thank you on behalf of all of us at Island Health.”

It’s Critical is a new $7 million campaign to ensure Victoria gets its first High Acuity Unit (HAU). This is the highest priority need in healthcare right now. It’s Critical not only addresses the immediate needs and pressure that COVID-19 is placing on our hospitals, it also builds critical care capacity in our community for years to come.

We simply cannot achieve this goal without you. Without all of our community coming together.

Today, we are asking you—our generous supporters to help fund $7 million for It’s Critical. 

We’re moving fast—with your help, we will fund $1 million to immediately purchase equipment to respond to COVID-19 and improve the health of local patients.

The remaining $6 million will support construction of a permanent HAU at RJH—a first for any Island Health hospital. This urgently needed HAU will ensure that over 800,000 Vancouver Island patients have access to specialized equipment, care, and attention after transitioning from the Intensive Care Unit.

It’s Critical is an opportunity for you, our incredibly dedicated and caring supporters to be the heroes of our community. To those who have donated to our Hospital Heroes of Victoria initiative, you have allowed us to initiate this vital project and we thank you. As change-makers and leaders of our community, you continue to show up for our neighbours, caregivers, and our community—we see you and we are so grateful.

In Gratitude,

Avery Brohman,
Executive Director
Victoria Hospitals Foundation