For more than a quarter of a century, the Courtenay Legion has committed to building stronger healthcare in the Comox Valley. Ensuring Veterans, their families and the greater community continue to have access to quality healthcare is an important priority for the Legion.

Over the past 25 years, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17 in Courtenay has donated more than $300,000 to enhance healthcare for the people of the Comox Valley and surrounding region. Through the generosity and support of our community members to the Legion Poppy Fund this past November, the Courtenay Legion donated $25,000 to the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation (CVHF) for the purchase of a new Work Station in the MDRD Decontamination Room that will support the nearly 8,000 surgeries that are provided annually at the Comox Valley Hospital (CVH).

“This generous gift will allow for the surgical equipment used in the five operating rooms to be processed – cleaned, disinfected, inspected, and sterilized as soon as it is used, helping to prevent delays for patients needing surgery,” said Sheila Petersen Surgical Services Clinical Coordinator at CVH.

“The MDRD is considered the heart of the hospital and the tremendous heart shown by the community members who donated to the Poppy Trust Fund and in turn by the Courtenay Legion for their continued commitment towards healthcare is truly remarkable,” said Rhonda Stevens, Co-Executive Director of CVHF and a Military Veteran. “Our community continues to do remarkable things to help one another. We live in a great place with incredible people. Thank you Courtenay Legion! We are so grateful for your care.”

Photo (left to right): Bob McDiarmid, President Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17 Courtenay and Rhonda Stevens, Co-Executive Director Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation