Chemainus Health Care Foundation reveals ambitious plans for year ahead

The Chemainus Health Care Foundation is charting a bold course for the year ahead, with renewed commitments to urgent care, long-term care and local health education following its annual general meeting on May 12.

Now in its 37th year, the foundation is fully volunteer-run and funded entirely through public donations. Since its inception in 1988, the foundation has contributed more than $2 million to local health initiatives, from building Steeples Assisted Living to supporting end-of-life care, patient comfort and community health programming.

In 2024 alone, the foundation funded vital equipment purchases and programs to support residents from Chemainus and the surrounding area.

Among these was a new electrocardiogram (ECG) machine for Chemainus Urgent Care, an essential diagnostic tool that records the heart’s electrical activity and can help detect irregular rhythms, coronary artery disease and heart attacks. It’s a key addition to a facility where case loads have more than doubled in recent years.

The foundation also supports the Adult Day Program through Island Health, which provides personal care, recreation, social connection and respite services to elderly and disabled clients. A 20-seat bus, purchased and maintained by the foundation, is in daily use transporting program participants to the centre and on day trips. 

In addition, a major renovation to the Adult Day Program space was funded by the foundation, costing approximately $250,000. This greatly expanded and improved the available space and extended seasonal use of the outdoor patio and gardens. Such improvements and initiatives help clients enjoy meaningful, enriching time at the Chemainus Health Care Centre.

Elsewhere, the foundation funded training support for local service organizations. One example is providing funding for volunteers at the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank to receive first aid and de-escalation training to improve safety for everyone involved.

Foundation president Paul Edwards said they aren’t stopping there.

“The foundation has to be ready to meet the growing demands on the health care system and needs volunteers, donors and anyone interested in health care to get involved,” said Edwards.

That will require increased efforts to raise awareness and much-needed funding.

This year, the foundation was asked to help fund a replacement for the aging X-ray machine at the Chemainus Health Care Centre. The cost was beyond the foundation’s current capacity, but plans are now in place to build fundraising infrastructure and financial reserves for future major equipment needs.

In the meantime, the board has contributed $44,000 to the centre for 2025 to purchase a glidescope monitor for safer intubation in urgent care, specialized mattresses and beds for long-term care, and a new pergola for the garden area at the centre.

Community organizations such as Cowichan Hospice and the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society will also continue to receive support.

New board member Wanda Smith said it’s about giving back to a system that gave her so much.

“I’m honoured to be a part of this organization, and want to give back to my community,” said Smith. “I had my own personal medical crisis just over seven years ago, and I wouldn’t be here without the 30-plus medical professionals who helped me — it’s now my turn to pay it forward.”

Smith hopes she can inspire other Chemainus residents to do the same. 

Membership in the Chemainus Health Care Foundation is free and open to all. Joining gives members a voice in foundation decision-making.

To make a donation — whether one-time, recurring, in memoriam or through estate planning — visit chemainushealthcarefoundation.ca. 

CHCF also plans to grow its visibility and fundraising capacity by increasing its online presence, participating in community events, and strengthening relationships with other foundations and health-care advocates.

Board members will be on hand at the Giant Street Market in downtown Chemainus on Saturday, July 5, to share information and speak with residents about the foundation’s work. Attendees can sign up for free to become a member and find out how to get involved and make a difference for health care in Chemainus. 

Donations to the Chemainus Health Care Foundation can also be made at the event. Every dollar goes directly to supporting local health care.