Greater Victoria Canadian Tire store owners and their teams were honoured Friday for raising more than $1 million for cardiac-care equipment at Royal Jubilee Hospital since 2003.
The Hillside, Langford, View Royal, Royal Oak and North Saanich Canadian Tire stores, as well as the Gordon Head Auto Centre, were recognized for their contributions at a ceremony at the hospital’s Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, as they kicked off their annual Fix-A-Heart campaign, which runs until Dec. 24
Store owners said they’re committed to raising an additional $1 million over the next 10 years, with an annual goal of $100,000.
“My peers and I are proud to see the impact our local stores have made on cardiac care for Victoria and we are delighted to be renewing our commitment over the next decade,” said Justin Young, owner of Canadian Tire Hillside.
In the past decade, the campaign has helped fund 89 pieces of equipment for cardiac care, including electrocardiogram machines, critical care beds, a catheterization lab C-arm, telemetry monitors and cardiac ultrasounds.
The Fix-A-Heart campaign was created in 2003 by Peter Spillette, former owner of the Langford Canadian Tire store. When he died in 2008, store owners and staff made commitment to raise $1 million for leading-edge cardiac equipment at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Five current store owners, plus three past owners, have taken part in the annual campaign.
This year, funds raised will support a new $150,000 echocardiography ultrasound machine for the hospital as part of the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s Emerge Stronger campaign.
The machine will perform up to 3,000 procedures every year.
Avery Brohman, executive director of Victoria Hospitals Foundation, said the foundation is “incredibly thankful” for the help from local Canadian Tire owners and their staff. “As our hospitals continue to adapt and respond to this pandemic while under significant stress and demand, this dedication to advancing healthcare for our local communities is truly inspiring,” Brohman said. “Canadian Tire’s Fix-A-Heart renewal is a magnificent display of community spirit.”
The 2021 campaign will run until Dec. 24, with customers donating at the till at their local Canadian Tire stores.
To learn more about the heart health program at Royal Jubilee Hospital, go to victoriahf.ca/cardiac care.
parrais@timescolonist.com
