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A Summerland couple with a hands-on approach to improving healthcare has donated $30,000 to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to help provide medical equipment for the Penticton Regional Hospital expansion.
Kathy and Gerry Ryan grew up in Ontario and lived in Edmonton for several years before moving to BC in 1989, and eventually the Okanagan in 2001.
Both had rewarding careers before shifting gears in 2010, starting up a vineyard growing grapes for a local winery. Now retired, the pair are travelling and enjoying the Okanagan lifestyle.
Kathy spent her career working as a speech language pathologist, helping nonverbal children to communicate. “These children require alternative ways to talk due to autism, or cognitive and/or physical disabilities,” explained Kathy.
Gerry was active in both Kinsmen and Rotary in the Lower Mainland and served as president of the Evergreen Cultural Centre Society in Coquitlam.
While living in Peachland in 2006, Gerry experienced a health crisis which led him to get involved in supporting our local healthcare system.“I received an exceptional level of care from my family physician and some very professional staff at Penticton Regional Hospital, so I decided to volunteer my time with the medical foundation,” he said. Gerry has served on the board of the SOS Medical Foundation since October 2007 and is currently its chairperson.
Before retirement, Gerry worked in financial planning. He often helped his clients make personal and estate gifts toward their preferred charities. “As a board member, I have seen the huge impact that an estate gift can have for a charity in their fund-raising efforts and therefore I have made similar arrangements through my own will.”
The SOS Medical Foundation says it has seen a steady increase in the number of donors who have left gifts of capital or properties to the Foundation through their will.
