This fall, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation embarks on a major fundraising campaign. With the Canada 150 anniversary as the backdrop, the Foundation is planning on a Gala evening Oct. 14 at Church and State Winery in Central Saanich.

The foundation itself has earned tremendous support from the community over the years, raising money for new operating rooms, sterilization facilities and a variety of spaces and programs for people who find themselves in the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Maurice and Doreen Muloin are a local couple who found themselves at the hospital quite often, during a long stretch of time when their son, Denis, was being treated for cancer. They agreed to speak with the Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review about their experience there B次元官网网址� and about what they liked about the hospital, despite their unfortunate circumstances.

Denis died three-and-a-half years ago, leaving behind a family and parents who miss him, but who can talk of their son in much the spirit in which he lived. And despite the circumstances they found themselves in when they had to go to the Saanich Peninsula HospitalB次元官网网址檚 palliative care facility, the Muloins had nothing but praise for hospital staff B次元官网网址� and for the Foundation that ensures people who need to be there, have all that they require.

B次元官网网址淲e spent a lot of time there,B次元官网网址� Maurice said. B次元官网网址淎lso, he spent a lot of time at the other two hospitals B次元官网网址� he was nine years, more or less hospitalized with a brain tumour.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淵ou had to [go to all the hospitals] because the operations were done at the General, and then he was in the Jubilee a lot B次元官网网址� because you had to go to the cancer clinic there,B次元官网网址� added Doreen.

Maurice said what really impressed him was the care Denis during his nearly three months at the Saan Pen HospitalB次元官网网址檚 palliative care facility.

B次元官网网址楾he care that he got was exceptional. Plus, the country atmosphere there that they have. ItB次元官网网址檚 quiet there, itB次元官网网址檚 out of the way of traffic. The whole setup is ideal.B次元官网网址�

Both Maurice and Doreen said the reason they were there was B次元官网网址榥ot comfortableB次元官网网址� but the staff helped a lot.

B次元官网网址淭hey made it as good as it could be,B次元官网网址� Doreen said.

Denis had spent much of his life working for Russ Hays bicycle shop in Greater Victoria, after he came out west from his parentsB次元官网网址� home in Montreal at the time. He was very active in the biking community, which paid tribute to Denis after he died, by having a plaque in his honour installed in the hospitalB次元官网网址檚 Sun Room B次元官网网址� a project that the Muloins have supported as it has taken shape over the last few years.

Shortly after DenisB次元官网网址� death, that community and his parents started an annual ride in his name, raising money for the Foundation and the hospitalB次元官网网址檚 palliative care department. This yearB次元官网网址檚 ride raised close to $3,000, they said.

Doreen added while the Saan Pen Hospital is a smaller hospital, it is needed.

B次元官网网址淚t is our hospital,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e live here.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 realize it until we came here (26 years ago) there were rumours that they were doing away with it by the government,B次元官网网址� Maurice said.

B次元官网网址淲e wonB次元官网网址檛 lose it now,B次元官网网址� Doreen added and they said thatB次元官网网址檚 because there are too many people involved in the hospital today, to let that happen.

The Foundation plays a big role in keeping it that way. In 2016 and B次元官网网址�17, they raised more than $4.4 million in donations and events B次元官网网址� investing more than $3.3 million back into the hospital.

In recent years, they also contributed to the renovation of the hospitalB次元官网网址檚 two palliative care rooms, making them brighter spaces for residents who are at the end of their lives.

The Oct. 14 Gala event will feature a red and white theme among the guests and Canadian entertainment, in recognition of the countryB次元官网网址檚 150th anniversary of Confederation.

To find out more, or to get tickets, visit www.sphf.ca.

editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
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