Oct. 7 was a good day to be born at Royal Columbian Hospital.
That was the hospital's 150th birthday, and to celebrate, all babies born that day - 11, including two sets of twins - received a commemorative tile that will be displayed in the maternity ward, announcing their name, birth date and weight.
The tiles are part of a new commemorative wall at the hospital that will raise funds for the maternity ward and neonatal intensive care unit and the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
Launched Oct. 1, the campaign allows people to choose from six different tiles designed by illustrator Issie Heikkila, to be on display for any baby born at the hospital this year or in years past.
"It is amazing the number of people from across B.C. who tell us that they were born here at RCH," said Julie Coghlan, director of marketing and communications for the foundation, in a recent release. "There is nothing more special than the birth of a child.
Creating a wall where they can be honoured is as important to the RCH staff who see themselves as part of every family that is born here as it is to the baby's own family members."
For the Reid family, who welcomed baby Ian just after 4 a.m. on Oct. 7, his birth was a surprise as well as a celebration.
"It was a tremendous sur-N prise for us to find out he was the first baby born on RCH's 150th anniversary, as he wasn't supposed to arrive until Oct. 23," said his mother, Colleen.
More than 3,000 babies are born at the hospital each year, and approximately 800 ill or premature babies are cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The tiles come in three sizes, ranging from four by four inches to eight by eight inches, and cost between $100 and $250.
Funds raised from the sale of the tiles will go towards priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research and education at the hospital.
For more information, visit www. rchfoundation.com.
mreid@ royalcityrecord.com
