On the 12-year anniversary of Vinnie Gill’s first cardiac surgery, his family returned to Royal Jubilee Hospital to give back to the care facility where their late son spent so much time.
Vinnie died in May 2012 from complications during open-heart surgery when he was 35.
The diagnostic treatment centre waiting room and the cardiovascular unit, where Vinnie received care, will be renamed in his honour thanks to a significant donation from his parents, Amarjeet and Suman Gill.
“It’s an extraordinary gesture when a family takes their grief and demonstrates such grace and compassion for the care providers, recognizing that in spite of the outcome, they did their very best work,” said Melanie Mahlman, executive director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
The Gill family’s gift, announced Tuesday, will support the purchase of new cardiac care equipment and technology.
The hospital would not reveal the donation amount at the family’s request. However, Leslee Farrell, co-chair of the Building Care Together campaign, said it is within the top five per cent of donations received by the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
“It’s a very significant leadership gift and it will leave a legacy in our community, benefitting thousands of patients receiving cardiac care at Royal Jubilee,” Farrell said.
“We are so deeply grateful. It’s a testament to them and what special parents they are. It’s such a heartfelt tribute to their son.”
Vinnie was born at the same hospital in 1977. He graduated from St. Michaels University School in 1995 and followed his father into a real estate career at Re/Max Camosun. He was serious about his work and involved with several charitable foundations, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s hypertension and nutrition campaign, as well as B.C. Children’s Hospital.
“He had a terrific personality, outgoing and smiley,” said Farrell, who is also a real estate agent.
Vinnie underwent his first heart surgery on Christmas Eve 2001 at the age of 24.
“He’s an example for all of us that heart disease affects all of us, young and old,” Mahlman said.
The Gill family’s gift will be matched by businessman Jim Pattison as part of the Community matching Gift Challenge, bringing the campaign total to $21.15 million. Farrell said they are on track to reach the three-year fundraising goal of $25 million in February.
