They didn’t tell me her name and I couldn’t speak to her, but I could tell she’s a fighter.
She clenched her impossibly tiny fist and stretched twig-like legs that were wrapped in a sort of splint so her bones wouldn’t break.
Her chest moved up and down at a rapid rate as she fought for each breath.
This is what happens when you’re born at 22 weeks.
I met this fighter during a tour of Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, which has a neonatal intensive care unit that has some of the best survival rates in the country. Since starting the editor’s job a few weeks ago, I’ve been slowly meeting people from different local organizations to introduce myself and discover new story ideas.
I doubt any of my tours will be as emotional as visiting the NICU. Nothing makes you forget about petty problems quite like watching a premature baby cling to life. Thankfully, the RCH Foundation has been there to raise money.
Premature babies at RCH benefit from the latest in climate-controlled incubators, which is where they live as they slowly grow stronger.
The foundation, however, doesn’t stop there. The money it raises purchases equipment for other hospital areas that is often several steps above what the province is willing to fund.
That technology is one of the reasons why RCH’s cardiac care centre is one of the busiest in the province, and the fourth busiest in Canada – because it’s known to be one of the best. For example, the cardiac centre is one of only two in Canada with a significantly lower than average 30-day in-hospital mortality rate after angioplasty.
I already knew how special RCH was because when my daughter’s mom was pregnant, we had to travel from Maple Ridge for regular visits to the gestational diabetes clinic.
I’m not sure how many people realize this, but RCH isn’t just for New Westminster residents. In fact, only 19 per cent of its patients are from its home community. A whopping 35 per cent come from the Tri-Cities, 14 per cent from Surrey and 13 per cent from Burnaby. RCH serves 1.8 million people in total, from Burnaby to Boston Bar. It’s also the city’s largest employer, with 3,300 staff and 450 physicians.
Last year, the province announced a $1.35-billion, three-phase expansion, with the 75-bed mental health and substance use wellness centre already under construction. This expansion is a catalyst for a City of New Westminster economic strategy called IDEA Centre that will transform the surrounding area.
So big things are happening for this regional hospital now and in the future. You can be a part of it by donating to the foundation. And if you need a little extra motivation to do so, just think of the little fighter. I know I will.
Follow Editor Chris Campbell on Twitter and Instagram @shinebox44
