‘The health of our community is worth fighting for’

Marc Vanden Bussche of Vanden Bussche Irrigation, presenting sponsor at the 2nd Annual Heart of Healthcare Gala, speaks at NGH Foundation’s May 3rd gala fundraiser. 

By Chris Abbott

Editor

There are many reasons to support Norfolk General Hospital and the NGH Foundation in its quest to raise funds for hospital equipment.

Marc Vanden Bussche of Vanden Bussche Irrigation, presenting sponsor at the 2nd Annual Heart of Healthcare Gala, identified many of them at the May 3rd gala fundraiser.

“Whether you are a donor or caregiver, a volunteer, a board member, a proud member of this incredible community, I am grateful for you.”

Vanden Bussche said he wanted to talk about one simple word - the word that drives us, drives what we do. A word that children ask with eyes wide and open hearts. A word that people ask when faced with big decisions. 

Why.

“Why are we here? We are here because we believe in something bigger than ourselves. We are here because we believe that the health of our community is worth fighting for. We are here because we know that every person, no matter their age, background or circumstances, deserves access to excellent care close to home.

“We’re not just building a hospital, we’re building hope.”

It’s a place where mothers meet their newborns for the first time, he said. It’s a place where broken bones are mended, where hearts are healed, where lives will be saved.

“Why do we need a new hospital?” he asked, touching upon the 100-year-old hospital’s future. “Because things have changed and so have the needs of our patients. Our community is growing. Our technology is advancing. It’s not about luxury. This is about necessity. This is about ensuring that care of our patients, our children, is right here, when they need it the most.”

Every dollar raised by the Foundation serves one goal, he said, to provide compassionate, cutting edge, dignified care.

“Why am I here tonight as a donor? Because I am seeing what happens when someone you love needs care, and the right people, the right equipment, the right environment is there. Because I want my children – and yours – to grow up in a community where health and well-being is a priority.

“Because for me, this is personal,” he said, noting his father was born at Norfolk General Hospital five years after NGH was established.

“Eighty-nine years later my grandson was born there too, each generation was born under the same roof. That’s a legacy… and I am here because I want that story to continue. I want the next baby born here to have the very best care. I want the next grandparents who walk through those doors to be met with compassion, comfort and confidence in what the hospital can offer.”Vanden Bussche said he wants to know he played a part in making sure NGH isn’t remembered just for it was, but for what it becomes.

“That is why I am here,” he told the 250 gala participants. “And I know that many of you are here for the same reason.

“Let’s be honest, it won’t be easy. Big dreams rarely are.”

Vanden Bussche went on to ask the question ‘why not now?’

“We are the ones who can shape the future of healthcare in this community. We are the ones who can step forward and say ‘we will build this together.’”

Why give?

“Because it isn’t just a hospital, it’s your hospital. It’s where your neighbours, your friends, your family will find comfort in their most vulnerable moments. Your generosity plants a seed of healing that will bloom for generations.

“So let us remember our why. Let’s echo in every decision we make, let’s inspire every gift, every hour of volunteer, every conversation we share. Because when we know our why, anything is possible.”

chris@granthaven.com