Media release: April 27, 2026
Inspired by Jimmy Pattison matching gift campaign, $10 million raised to support state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Cowichan Valley
An extraordinary milestone was reached at the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation’s annual Champagne Dinner & Auction in March. The Cowichan Valley community has been inspired to a wave of philanthropy thanks to a donation match challenge from Jimmy Pattison. Launched in January 2025, it’s taken only fifteen months to raise a phenomenal five million dollars for new, essential and lifesaving equipment, for Quw’utsun Valley hospital.
At the Gala event, the completion of five million dollars raised from the community unlocked the five million dollars pledged by Jimmy Pattison, making a total ten-million-dollar contribution to the current campaign. Guests at the event – which included silent and live auctions as well as generous cash donations – witnessed the presentation of two giant donation cheques representing the combined efforts of the Valley to capitalise on Pattison’s incredible match challenge.
The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation has committed to fundraise up to twenty million dollars to support the purchase of equipment that will change the lives of local residents. This includes an MRI scanner, a CT scanner, equipment for the operating rooms, oncology department, maternity department, and emergency room, impacting every area of the hospital.
The new Quw’utsun Valley Hospital is currently under construction and scheduled to open in spring, 2027. Cowichan District Hospital Foundation is proud of the contribution their donors have made to this state-of-the-art, landmark project. “The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation’s steadfast support for essential medical equipment is making a meaningful difference for patients today while helping prepare Quw’utsun Valley Hospital / Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw for the future,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “Island Health is deeply grateful for their leadership and their commitment to ensuring people in Cowichan communities have access to world class care close to home.”
Although five million dollars seemed a lofty goal for this community, the opportunity for donors to double their impact inspired generosity. Hospital Auxiliaries from across the Valley, as well as service clubs, Foundations, businesses, individual donors and community fundraising events, all contributed to the grand total. Over 1,350 donors contributed to the campaign along with the many who donated at fundraising events.
At the hospital construction site, a food truck was set up by the Foundation as a social enterprise. Site workers were able to enjoy freshly cooked breakfasts and lunch, snacks and drinks, and all proceeds were funneled back to the Foundation to support equipment purchases for the hospital. No fundraising opportunity was missed, including the collection of all the returnable bottles and cans on site, which the Return-It depot turned into another sizeable donation to the campaign.
Jimmy Pattison is committed to supporting healthcare across BC. His contribution to the new Quw’utsun Valley Hospital will ensure exceptional equipment that will reduce wait times, provide essential tools to the hard-working medical staff, and contribute to improved health outcomes. “Health care impacts everyone, and this new hospital in the Cowichan Valley will be a welcome addition for the whole community,” said Jim Pattison. “I’m grateful to play a small part in supporting the purchase of medical equipment, and it’s been great to see how quickly the community has come together in support of this new facility.”
The Board of the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation is extremely grateful to Jimmy Pattison for this generous contribution, and continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for the way the Cowichan community supported the ambitious goal. “If the purpose of a matching gift is to inspire as many people as possible to bring their support to the cause, then the magnificent $5 million matching gift from the Jim Pattison Foundation did just that for the Cowichan Valley. We are deeply grateful to Jimmy Pattison and, in turn, to each and every one of the donors who have contributed to our campaign to support the momentous addition of the new hospital to our community” said Foundation Board Chair, David Robertson.
With these confirmed funds, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation has now raised over $17 million of their $20 million goal. Anyone who still wishes to contribute can do so online at cdhfoundation.ca, or by contacting their office at 250.701.0399. Every single dollar will make a difference.