A White Rock couple who believes in giving where they live has just given a massive, $5-million donation to Peace Arch Hospital.
Philanthropists Linda Wei and Bruce Buchanan made the donation to support the renovation and modernization of the White Rock hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) and cardiac monitoring unit, a Peace Arch Hospital + Community Health Foundation (PAHCHF) release shared, adding the generous gift supports the foundation’s $35 million Every Second Counts campaign, which is fundraising for a state-of-the-art, integrated ICU and cardiac monitoring unit that will meet the evolving needs of patients, families, medical teams, and the broader community.
As longtime members of the White Rock community, Wei and Buchanan are deeply committed to giving back to the place they have proudly called home.
“For more than 30 years, this community has been our home,” Buchanan said in the release. “It’s where we raised our family, built lifelong friendships, and created a life filled with opportunity and kindness. We feel incredibly blessed, and this gift is our heartfelt way of saying thank you to a community that has given us so much.”
Peace Arch Hospital is more than just a hospital to the couple. They understand the vital role community hospitals play and recognize that as our community continues to grow, supporting local healthcare has never been more important, the release said.
“No family should have to travel farther than necessary to receive life-saving care. We believe our community deserves exceptional healthcare close to home, and we’re honoured to help make that possible. We’ve always believed that when you’re in a position to help, you should. We wanted to contribute to this project today, so others can benefit tomorrow,” Wei shared.
PAHCHF CEP Stephanie Beck noted how much the foundation appreciates the couple’s generosity.
“Extraordinary gifts like this have the power to transform not only our hospital but also inspire others to invest in the future of healthcare,” Beck said. “We are incredibly grateful for Linda and Bruce’s vision and generosity because their leadership will leave a lasting legacy for patients, families, and our community that depend on Peace Arch Hospital.”
Peace Arch Hospital’s ICU and cardiac monitoring unit “are essential departments that provide close monitoring and advanced medical care for critically ill or unstable patients,” the release continued, noting that medical teams give the best care possible, but with a lack of space and outdated equipment, the current units need extensive renovations to provide optimal patient care and comfort.
“We hope this gift reminds people that a strong hospital belongs to all of us. None of us know when we or someone we love will need urgent medical care, and every act of generosity makes a difference. If our gift inspires even one more person to give back, that would be a legacy we would be incredibly proud of,” the couple shared.