​Last year, we received a record number of donations to our Patient Experience Non-Monetary Donation Program during the height of the pandemic and during the holiday season. Hundreds of donors provided goods and toys to support many programs including the annual Santa's Workshop where inpatient families at both BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre can 'shop' at no cost for anyone in their families, thanks to the generosity of donors across BC.  

The generosity was also shared with patients in our COVID-19 collection centre, any child who came through the Emergency Department, to outpatients, clinics and community partners, including Indigenous Family programs and Christmas Bureaus across the Lower Mainland who were able to replenish their centres and workshops for this holiday and for the following year.

"The pandemic inspired giving that measured three times greater this year from long time and new partners," said Mary MacKillop, Director, Patient Experience. "We were blown away by the extraordinary volume of new gifts and toys that ensured almost 1,000 children, youth, infants and families across programs receiving care at this time of year, had a worry free holiday experience. We sincerely thank every individual donor, teams at BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre who participated in holiday team cheer, organizations and large companies alike- each made a difference!"

Gratitude is extended to the many volunteers that helped bring joy to patients and their families during an especially tough time at BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre.

For information on the program please contact the Patient Experience Team or get more information here.