Scale of Impact
$5,000,000+
Money Raised
30+
Projects Founded
Success Stories
We measure our success in actual lives changed. These stories are a testament to the difference that communities can make when we come together to create lasting change. To date, the Whistler Health Care Foundation has supported the Whistler Health Centre, Whistler Community Services, Sea to Sky Hospice, The Hope Centre, Squamish General Hospital, the Pemberton Health Centre, Lions Gate Hospital and more.
Hike for Health Raises over $86K!
Thank you to everyone who supported the 2nd annual Hike for Health. Together, we raised more than $86,000! We are very grateful to everyone who came out on a cool (snow-dusted!) day to hike the Ascent Trail. All proceeds will go to the Dr. Rob Burgess Primary Care Fund and support the amazing efforts of Whistler 360 Health to improve access to primary care services in Whistler.
The event would not have been possible without the support of our Event Sponsor; The Touchet Family and Event Partner: Whistler Blackcomb. Thank you, Thank you!
New this year was the TRAILBLAZER donor program. A huge thanks to everyone who donated between $500 to $10,000 to help improve access to primary care in Whistler. We are very grateful for your support!
2023 TRAILBLAZERS:
Buffie & Nigel Woods, Andrew & Jen Lord, Jen & Jeremy Black, Julia & Justin Smith, Bob Cowan, Liz & Dave Brownlie, Peter & Deb Armistead, Robert McKenzie, Brian Scudamore & Lara Osen, Dave & Lindsay Burch, Richard & Tracy Tory, Carol Leacy & Jon Dietrich, Ian & Jenny Banks, Heidi & Mike Groot, Kate Bayne, Briar Sexton, Ailsa & Don Forsgren, Todd & Jodi Carter, Robert Mongeau, Precision Painting, John Nadeau & Mary Scott, Diana De Man, Whistler Real Estate Company, Lee Ann & Gord Ahrens, Gibbons Hospitality, Kimberly & Mick Gannon, Double Diamond Real Estate, Jane Finlayson, Earlston Investments, Howard Goldsmid (in memory), Karen Wedding, Theresa Walterhouse, Margot & Brent Murdoch, Robert (Jim) Longden, Philip & Margaret King, Brian Scholfield, Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
Mark your calendars - Next year's hike is Sunday June 16, 2024.
Medical Equipment at the WHCC
Thanks to our generous donors, the foundation was able to purchase new medical equipment for the Whistler Health Care Centre. The new equipment provides advancements in technology and replaces outdated and end of life equipment.
Since the completion of the trauma room upgrades, the foundation has funded over $80,000 in equipment purchases including; Hand-held Butterfly ultrasound unit, ATS Tourniquet System, ECG Rolling Cart, Broselow Pediatric Cart and Glidescope.
Grant Funding Program
In 2021 we launched our first Community Grant Funding Program to support local non-profits with health-care-related initiatives. The first year was so successful that it has become an annual program. The program is funded thanks to the generous support of the Goudge Family Foundation and community members like you.
To date recipients include:
- Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department - life saving equipment, first aid supplies and gear
- Spring Creek Community School – student first aid training
- Spearhead Huts Society – Automated External Defibrillator AED for the Kees and Claire Hut
- Whistler Search & Rescue – rescue equipment and first aid supplies for new MIT’s
- Whistler Community Services Society – supplies and services for the Summer and Winter Extreme Weather Shelters
- Helping Hands Society – Support for the “Open Door Health” Project for low barrier primary care clinic at Under One Roof
- Options for Sexual Health – funding for increased PAP and STI clinics and services
Hike for Health
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our first annual, Hike for Health! Together we raised over $75,000
for the Whistler Health Care Foundation!
Kudos to the Touchet Family and Whistler Blackcomb for their support from Day 1!
T1 Ventilator
Thanks to a generous donation from the Tull Family Foundation, the 20 year old ventilator at the Whistler Healthcare Clinic has been replaced with brand new Hamilton T1 Ventilator. The new ventilator will have the capacity to provide Bipap support to patients which is an important alternative to intubation and mechanical ventilation.
With additional support from the community, additional respiratory equipment can be purchased to ensure the Whistler Health Care Centre has all the latest tools to address respiratory illness.
Thank you again to the Tull Family Foundation!
Trauma Room Upgrade
The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) has announced that it has surpassed its $1.5 million fundraising goal to upgrade the trauma rooms at the Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC).
The campaign to raise funds for the trauma rooms at the 25-year-old Whistler Health Care Centre began at the end of 2019 and is the largest single campaign undertaken by the WHCF. The project, 100% funded by this campaign, will increase the size and functionality of the current trauma rooms allowing easy access to all available equipment, improve medical staff access and technical upgrades. This will allow critical patients to continue to receive the highest quality of care.
*As of February 2022, the trauma room upgrades are now complete!
No Show Ball
On July 25th we hosted our first ever, No Show Ball! Thank you to all for your support of our event of this kind. We are thrilled to announce that we surpassed our fundraising goal of $50,000. This event was the kick-off to our fundraising campaign for the Trauma Room upgrade for our Whistler Health Care Centre. Keep your eyes out for more exciting fundraisers!
Special congratulations to Alistair Barbour to taking home the Kahuna Paddleboard Package door prize!
COVID-19 Support
Thank you to the entire Whistler community for supporting one another during the COVID-19 Health Crisis. From sewing face masks to supporting the meal program - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Together we have delivered over 1,500 meals for Doctors, nurses and staff at the Whistler Health Care Centre.
Special thank you to the Tull Family Foundation for committing $100,000 to support the community of Whistler during the COVID-19 health crisis.
“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and the Whistler Health Care Foundation are incredibly important to us and crucial during this unprecedented time. We are grateful for the work they are doing to prioritize the care of the Whistler community now and always, a place that is our home away from home and holds so many memories dear to our family,” said Alba and Thomas Tull.
EverFlo Oxygen Concentrators
We are excited to share that we have funded two EverFlo oxygen concentrators for our community.
The EverFlo Concentrators will provide our community with a much better solution to managing their oxygen needs. Until now, the Whistler home health team has had limited use to a bulky, heavy oxygen concentrator, that has required ongoing maintenance.
These new 5-liter per minute EverFlo stationary concentrators are much quieter and will be well received by our clients who are managing chronic disease conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Sea-to-Sky Community Hospice
Sea to Sky families can now receive dignified, supportive end-of-life care for their loved one in the comfort of their own community with the new Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Sea-to-Sky Community Hospice.
We're very proud to be able to be a Gold-Level sponsor of the new Sea-to-Sky Hospice Centre. It's going to make a big difference for patients and families going through a very difficult time.
25th Anniversary Fundraiser
On Nov 27th, 2019 the Foundation celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary by holding a fundraiser at the Bearfoot Bistro. The event, with the theme “A touch of silver” and entertainment by The Hair Farmers, was a great success. Over 215 people attended, and together we raised over $125,000
towards the Trauma Room Upgrade project.
Check out the event photos here!
Thank you, Whistler!
Whistler Heli Pad
The Helipad at the Whistler Health Care Centre plays a vital role in ensuring emergency transport is available for critically injured or ill patients. The Ministry of Transportation required upgrades to the existing helipad located directly adjacent to the Whistler Medical Clinic in order for it to remain operational.
WHCF contributed $160,000 to make up “a shortfall” in the required $608,000 funding provided by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in order for the work to be complete to allow the helipad to return to fully operational status.
Mental Health Initiative
The WHCF supported youth mental health with a donation of $25,000 to support the opening of British Columbia’s first ever dedicated Youth Concurrent Disorders Unit at Lions Gate Hospital’s HOpe Clinic. This facility addresses both mental health and substance misuse in youth – two conditions that often exist together. The HOpe Centre is recognized as the provincial leader in providing the “gold standard” of care to mental health patients. The new Youth Concurrent Disorders unit will address a critical gap in mental health and addictions treatments for youth ages 13-18.
Orthopedic Care
The Foundation has invested $84,000 towards Orthopedic care at the Squamish Hospital.
State of the Art Diagnostics
Because the WHCC treats an exceptionally large number of clients with high- level trauma it has been a top priority to provide state of the art diagnostic equipment to enable the very competent health care professionals make timely and accurate diagnosis that can often save a life.
- Ultrasound unit and a C-arm
- Financial support for the installation of teleradiology (computerized imaging), bringing networked access to images from any health care site, reduction of staff exposure to harmful x-ray processing, better environmental practices and reduction of patient transfers.
- A bedside ultrasound, allowing the diagnosis of abdominal trauma.
- The WHCF along with Pemberton and Squamish Health Care Foundations and the Sea to Sky Regional Health District provided funding for the construction required to house the addition of a GE 64 slice CT scanner.
Whistler
Orthopedic Rehab Program
The Whistler Orthopedic Rehab Program (WORP) was lead by Dr. Alex Brooks-Hill, Orthopedic Surgeon and Jackie Dickinson, executive Director of WCSS. The goal of WORP was to create a program that would benefit those who do not hurt themselves at work and who cannot afford the necessary rehab. Participants had to be referred by a doctor and have met the WCSS economic necessity assessment.
After a 6-week assessment, it was clear that the pilot program was a great success - not only for those who completed the 6-week rehab but also in improving awareness of available social services and connecting people in need to these services who would probably not have been aware. The program has also helped increase the connection between physicians, Whistler community health, Meadow Park and individuals in need in the community - bringing a more holistic approach to aid and healing. Chronic injury and illness is the #1 reason for food bank use – offering subsidized physiotherapy adds another way that WCSS can support these people and change their lives.
The WHCF donated $20,000 toward the WORP pilot project.
As a result of the success of the WORP pilot program, WCSS will offer subsidized physiotherapy for qualified people moving forward at a cost of $25 per session for 6 week session. They can also combine this service with clinical counselling or other necessary services in order to ensure people rehabbing from injury are getting all the help they need.
Additional Projects Funded
- Thermal Camera for RMOW Fire Department
- New Ultrasound for WHCC
- Spider Arm for Squamish General Hospital