It was just couple of weeks after his dad died at Royal Jubilee Hospital that Anders Yee broke his elbow and landed in a hospital emergency department — the last place the grieving seven-year-old boy and his mom wanted to be.
“I was so traumatized, but the doctors, the nurses were so understanding; they bent over backward for us,” said Susanna Yee, 53.
“They knew the situation and said they’d get him in as soon as possible, which they did,” Yee said of the staff at Victoria General Hospital. “They bumped him up. … He was in second for surgery the next morning.”
It’s that kind of compassionate care that motivated Anders, now nine and a student at Torquay Elementary School in Saanich, to run a lemonade stand in honour of his dad and in support of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, which raises money for hospital equipment and research.
Kevin Yee, 55, who worked in the hospitality industry, died Aug. 17, 2022, after a brief time on life support following a brain aneurysm.
The lemonade stand is “in memory of his dad and to celebrate his life,” said Yee, who said her son is very much like his dad in terms of his desire to help others and socialize.
“Coming up to the anniversary, it’s very difficult for Anders — it’s been a rough couple of weeks,” she said.
But Anders said it helps to be focused on running his lemonade stand and raising money for hospitals that not only tried to help his dad, but also helped repair his broken elbow and cared for him as a 33-week preemie in the neonatal ICU.
“My dad would just be really proud how I’m able to fundraise a lot of money,” Anders said.
Last year, Anders’ lemonade stand raised $1,000 and inspired another $2,000 in donations in his name.
Monday’s venture — there were also frozen treats — had raised $782 by the end of the day.
Neighbour Jim Hoskins was among those who dropped by Monday to make a donation. He said the idea was such a good one that his family did it Sunday in another area of town to help out.
Anders advises other kids and adults to try raising money for good causes.
“Giving is so good to the community and it can help a lot of people in the community, including you,” he said.
Danielle Mulligan, the foundation’s manager of annual giving and events, said Anders is a great example of how one can apply their passion.
“The way he’s inspired other people to give and inspired other people to get involved is just absolutely heartwarming to the entire foundation and to the caregivers we work with,” Mulligan said.
Victoria Hospitals Foundation just wrapped up an $11-million campaign for imaging equipment and is planning its next fundraiser. About 40 per cent of equipment at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals comes from donations to the foundation.
Royal Jubilee is the Island’s referral site for burn, cancer, cardiac, mental health, renal, respiratory, and vascular care. Victoria General is the Island’s referral site for trauma, neuroscience, stroke, pediatric, and maternity care.
To donate, go to victoriahf.ca/donatenow, call 250-519-1750 or email [email protected]
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