Families in northwest B.C. are a step closer to accessing specialized newborn care in their own region following a $70,500 contribution from Cedar LNG to the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation’s “Closer to Home” NICU campaign.
The funding will support the creation of the area’s first Tier 3 neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery at Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace, reducing the need for expectant mothers and critically ill newborns to travel far from their communities for treatment.
For many families in the region, that travel can mean emergency medical evacuations to larger centres, separating parents from support networks during high-risk pregnancies or medical emergencies. The new unit is expected to serve more than 100,000 people across northwest B.C.
Cedar LNG said the investment reflects ongoing efforts to support local communities. Through its Community Investment Program, the company has contributed more than $500,000 to Indigenous and non-Indigenous initiatives across the region.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation in bringing this transformative healthcare service to the region and Cedar LNG is proud to be part of helping to make it a reality,” said Maureen Nyce, elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation.
“We’d like to thank Cedar LNG for their generous donation towards the building of a first-ever Neonatal ICU in Northern B.C. Located at the newly built Kysen Regional Hospital, Cedar LNG’s contribution goes a long way to keeping families ‘Closer to Home’,” said Chris Mallett, CEO of the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation.
“At Cedar LNG, we believe strong communities begin with healthy families. Our contribution toward the first Tier 3 NICU in Northwestern B.C. reflects our commitment to ensuring mothers and newborns from local communities can receive critical care close to home,” said Craig Day, project director of Cedar LNG.
