Professional Firefighters of Greater Victoria Community Foundation’s (PFFGV) donated part two of their 10-part pledge to Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) in support of pediatric care at Victoria General Hospital (VGH) on Tuesday, June 25.
After completing a $250,000 over 10 years donation in 2021, PFFGV decided to continue by committing to the same donation over the same time-frame.
Because of that, they donated $25,000 as part of their 10-year plan to donate $250,000. Tuesday's donation will help fund a a high-frequency ventilator for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is used daily as a frontline of life-support for children.
“We are grateful for the genuine generosity the Professional Firefighters of Greater Victoria continue to show every year, going above and beyond the call of duty to support our community in greater ways,” said VHF director of marketing and communications Gaëlle van Erp. "What a true gift to our littlest patients and their families.”
After the cheque presentation, firefighters stayed to speak with patients in the pediatric unit.
“Our family has come to rely on the pediatric unit at VGH. I can’t find the words to describe how it feels to come to a place where I can completely trust the care providers. I know they will provide my son Logan with the best care possible, each and every time,” said Jessica Truong, local mother of two children who have received care within the pediatric unit. “Thank you to the firefighters for taking time to visit our children and devote their donations towards helping so many pediatric patients on the Island.”
Since 2011, PFFGV has donated $300,000, which has helped VGH be able to get equipment like a pediatric cardiac ultrasound system, a pediatric ventilator, and patient monitors.
