In the new year, the 100 Mile District General Hospital’s oncology department is receiving an upgrade thanks to the generosity of the Morrison family.
The Morrisons, along with two other anonymous donors, donated a combined $125,000 to the South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF) to facilitate the relocation and upgrade of the unit. When completed, the oncology department will nearly triple in size from its current 500 square foot location to a new, more accessible 1,500 square foot location. Interior Health said that this renovation will offer more privacy, more comfort and is a timely addition to the hospital.
“It has taken the better part of this past year to finalize plans for this upgraded oncology space, as the project also requires the relocation of the rehabilitation centre,” Richard Bullen, president of the SCHF, said. “But the South Cariboo Health Foundation is very excited to see this project proceed, with completion expected to be in 2026.”
The initial donation that inspired this upgrade was made after Neil Morrison, a longtime rancher and pioneer of the South Cariboo area, was able to receive treatment for his cancer in the community he loved. While Neil ultimately lost his battle with cancer, his daughter Angela said the family wanted to make the donation in his memory and to allow others to access a similar level of care.
“We are incredibly thankful that my dad didn’t have to travel often for his cancer treatment. Having access to care right here in 100 Mile made a world of difference—not just for him, but for our whole family. The convenience, comfort and support of being close to home during such a challenging time meant everything,” Angela said.
Angela said her father spent most of his life in the South Cariboo, ranching at several different ranches in the area before eventually running the 112 Mile Ranch for most of her childhood. Neil was also involved in coaching several sports teams while she and her siblings were growing up, and was a member of the 100 Mile and District Outriders, helping organize 100 Mile House’s Little Britches Rodeo.
In 2019, Neil was diagnosed with prostate cancer, with the family having to see different doctors and specialists while he received his treatment. Angela recalled how her father was able to really connect with the healthcare professionals who cared for him, including Dr Montgomery.
While he did have to go to Kelowna for some of the treatments, thanks to the local oncology department, he was able to get most of them right here in 100 Mile House. Not having to travel as far for treatment meant that Angela and the rest of the Morrison family were able to spend some quality time with him.
While Neil was battling cancer, Angela said the staff of 100 Mile House’s oncology department were amazing and made the best of a difficult situation. Neil being able to receive his treatment close to home was a “true blessing” for the entire family, she added.
“My dad passed away in April of 2024. He was 83 when he passed,” Angela said.
After her father passed away, Angela said it became really important to the family to ensure that the option they were lucky enough to have locally remained available to future families. When the SCHF and hospital presented the upgrade to them, she said they were thrilled to help fund it.
“We hope these upgrades will bring the same comfort to others,” Angela said. “We just feel really lucky to be in this community and be able to support it in this way.”
Kathy Munroe, manager of acute care at 100 Mile District General Hospital, got emotional when discussing the Morrison donation and what it means to staff.
“It makes me really proud of the work we are doing and that we have such a caring community,” Munroe said, adding the donation speaks to the dedicated care staff provide in the oncology unit and also to the generosity of the Morrison family.
“It really touches me that in their time of grief, they are still thinking of others. This donation is really going to allow us to expand on the level of treatment and care we already provide to the community.”
She noted that some treatments patients receive at the oncology department can take up to five hours, so having a comfortable space is important. Munroe said that anything that can be done to avoid extra stress and cost for patients and their families during treatment, such as close-to-home cancer care, is important to facilitate.
Munroe explained that in recent years, the oncology department has outgrown its current space, noting that in addition to cancer treatments, it offers almost any kind of ambulatory outpatient services. The benefits of the new space will include the ability to create private treatment rooms, additional oncology treatment chairs, and make space for clients who wish to bring a loved one for support.
“It will also provide room for privacy during sensitive conversations. Another benefit of the location of the new space is that it will provide direct access from the parking lot. Currently, we’re housed within the inpatient ward, so clients will no longer have to walk through the ward; they can come directly to the clinic,” Munroe said. “With oncology treatments, it often creates a lot of anxiety in the clients, so comfort and access play a huge role in how the treatment goes.”
As for Angela, she said she thinks her father would be happy that his family is making this donation in his memory. She noted that Neil loved the community and its people. She also encourages the community to support the hospital in any way they can.
“100 Mile is really lucky to have the hospital, and we can all help keep it a strong part of our community. It’s a big deal for a community of our size to have a hospital and the facilities they are able to offer,” Angela said. “Everyone can help keep that going.”