The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is asking the public for help in the final push of its 4th annual Light the Trees Christmas campaign.
The campaign is aiming to raise $1 million to build a new surgical suite for colonoscopies.
Currently the foundation has raised $900,000, according to CEO of the foundation Janice Perrino.
“We will go until we raise every dollar. So it’ll probably be into January - but that’s OK. We love it, we just keep going until every penny is in, because we’re using it to actually build the surgical suite,” said Perrino.
If the hospital builds the suite, they’ll be able to hire two new gastroenterologists, and drastically reduce wait times for colonoscopies.
READ MORE: Nanaimo hospital Christmas fundraiser looks to raise $1 million for new surgical suite
“We have about 3,500 people waiting for up to a year for a colonoscopy. So this third suite… will help to reduce the number. So we can get more people in, and get them checked,” said Perrino.
“If they have a problem we need to get them into treatment right away. So it’s just, the quicker into treatment, the better the outcome.”
Perrino says the campaign has been going amazingly so far.
“It’s been amazing, just fantastic. So we’re thrilled and very very thankful to the public for their support. And please keep sending in the donations!” said Perrino.
Donations can be made online at www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com, or by calling 250-755-7690. The foundation will be closed from Dec. 24 to 30, so donations can be made online during that time.