Honour your angel — a doctor, nurse, family member or friend — with a donation this holiday season.
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Chris’s Story
“I didn’t know if I would ride again. I didn’t know I would walk again.”
On January 7, 2022, Chris Pennimpede was struck by a semi-truck while on his way to Tofino as part of a trip to Vancouver Island. His injuries were devastating. Broken legs and ribs. A punctured lung. Several cracked vertebrae. Worst of all, both carotid arteries — the main vessels supplying blood to his brain — were torn, triggering multiple strokes. It was too complex to treat locally.
His only hope was VGH.
There, Dr. Manraj Heran reconstructed Chris’s left internal carotid artery using an innovative technique pioneered at VGH, restoring blood flow to his swelling brain. Eventually, Chris was transferred to G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, where his long road to recovery began. Today, Chris credits the world-class health care teams at VGH for saving his life — and G.F. Strong for helping him reclaim it.
“I owe everything to them,” Chris says. “They’re certainly my angels.”
Honour your angel with a gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s 25th annual Angel Campaign, supporting VGH, G.F. Strong and numerous specialized sites across Vancouver Coastal Health.
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“Without VGH, I’d be dead“
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Your generosity funds groundbreaking research, world-class health care teams and life-saving treatments for the most complex cases across BC.
Chris’s Angels
About the Angel Campaign
From November to January, the holiday trees at VGH, UBC Hospital and G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre will be filled with hundreds of angels carrying messages of love and gratitude to friends and family, medical teams and hospital staff.
Thanks to generous donors, the Angel Campaign has raised more than $5 million since 2001. Please make a donation to the 25th annual Angel Campaign this holiday season, and ensure patients like Chris get the best care when they need it most.
25 Years of Angels
This year, we celebrate 25 years of the Angel Campaign. That’s 25 years of hope, healing and powerful stories made possible by your support.
+ Vancouver General Hospital
The largest, most specialized hospital in BC
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) cares for the most complex patient needs across BC. It is the number one adult health care referral centre, with nearly half of all patients coming from outside Metro Vancouver for advanced treatments only available here.
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+ G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre
There for you when life changes in an instant
G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre is the largest, most specialized rehabilitation centre for people in BC and the Yukon with spinal cord and brain injuries. At G.F. Strong, a multidisciplinary team delivers individually tailored care and treatment, helping people restore independence and rebuild their lives.
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See where your support fuels innovation and better care for BC.
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Your generosity funds groundbreaking research, world-class health care teams and life-saving treatments for the most complex cases across the province.
The leading charity investing in health care innovation in BC.
Charity Number 132173063RR0001
