Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation gratefully received a $25,000 donation from RBC Foundation to support two projects focused on enhancing mental health supports in our community.

“In recent years, we have seen an increased need for mental health supports in our community. This donation enables our frontline staff to pursue further education related to mental health, helping us to provide better, more informed care, to those accessing resources through our Emergency Department,” explained Sarah Trockstad, Clinical Coordinator.

The donation will help fund tailored training for frontline staff in areas such as Suicide Response to build understanding of how to support people who have thoughts of suicide and Trauma Informed Practice to increase understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma in the lives of the people requiring care.

This generous grant from RBC Foundation will also help launch a virtual support group for women across the North Island facing postpartum adjustments. One in five women will experience symptoms of post-partum depression – if unsupported, can pose a risk to the health and safety of the mother and their baby.

Annette Sabourin, Regional Vice-President, Vancouver Island for RBC and Rick Eigler, Branch Manager, RBC Comox Valley presented the donation to the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation. Rick shared how “RBC Foundation is proud to support these important mental well-being initiatives for youth and families through the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation.”

“Throughout the years, RBC Royal Bank and RBC Foundation have contributed over $600,000 to our Foundation to fund healthcare in our community. On behalf of the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation Board, I would like to thank them for their continued, generous support,” stated Bill Anglin, President of the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation.

The Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation works to raise funds to enhance quality healthcare in our community, focusing on three interconnected areas of healthcare delivery: acute care at the Comox Valley Hospital, Island Health delivered community healthcare, and non-profit long-term care homes in our region. Since 1993, they have actively worked with donors and the broader community to secure support for healthcare priorities in our community, including vital hospital equipment, staff training, and community healthcare initiatives.

Photo left to right:

Annette Sabourin, Regional Vice-President, Vancouver Island, RBC Royal Bank
Jessica Aldred, Executive Director, Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation
Darryl Race, Manager, Comox Valley Hospital
Sarah Trockstad, Clinical Coordinator, Comox Valley Hospital Emergency Department
Rick Eigler, Branch Manager, RBC
Bill Anglin, President Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors