Foundation spotlight series: Lillooet District Hospital Foundation

October 3, 2025

From L to R: Michelle Harder, Lori McCabe, Jessica McLellan, LDFH chair, Marla King, Crystal Warren, Taylor Ferron, Nicole Hochleitner, Stacey Austinson and Jan McIvor (retired RN from LIH).

Foundations in the Interior region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in Interior Health. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, we all have a stronger health system.

In this next story of our series on the incredible health-care and hospital foundations throughout our region, we interviewed Jessica McLellan, chair of Lillooet District Hospital Foundation.

How long have you been with the Foundation?

Jessica: I joined the Lillooet District Hospital Foundation as a board member in August 2013, and I’ve been serving as chair since 2018.

Tell us about the focus of your Foundation and why what you do is important.

Jessica: Lillooet Hospital holds a special place in my heart—not only was I born there, but my grandmother came to Lillooet from Sudbury, Ontario in the 1950s as a Red Cross nurse. She met my grandfather here and eventually worked at the hospital herself.

I’ve worked at Lillooet Hospital since 2006, first as an employed student nurse and care aide, then as a registered nurse (RN) starting in 2009. My sister Crystal is also a RN, and we work side by side.

For me, the hospital is more than just a workplace—it's deeply personal. I joined the Foundation to help ensure that donated funds are directed toward equipment and resources that directly improve patient care and outcomes. Our work helps increase job satisfaction for staff, supports better outcomes for patients and families and makes a real difference in our community.

Thanks to generous donations, we’ve been able to purchase vital items, such as ventilators, glide scope, acute care bed frames with built-in alarms, a LUCAS CPR chest compression machine and updated Spacelabs monitors.

Why did you want to work with the Foundation?

Jessica: After years of working at the hospital, I saw how long essential items could remain on the wish list. I wanted to help speed up the process of getting crucial equipment to our staff and patients.

Being involved with the Foundation gives us the opportunity to prioritize what's most needed—items that will have the greatest impact on patient care and staff efficiency. It’s incredibly rewarding to help ensure that every dollar raised is spent thoughtfully and responsibly.

Two people both with long brown hair stand on either side of an elderly person wearing glasses and a purple blouse. — Jessica, left, her late grandmother and sister Crystal share the same interest in nursing.

Do you have any favourite fundraising campaigns, current or past?

One of our favourite events is the annual Harvest Dinner and Auction. Planning it felt like organizing a 125-person wedding with games, prizes and a fantastic community spirit.

We were so impressed by the support from our local donors who helped us secure truly amazing auction prizes. The event was always a big success and really highlighted the generosity of our community.

Is there a particular donation over the years that stands out?

We’ve been fortunate to receive a multitude of generous donations over the years, each making a meaningful impact. It’s hard to pick just one, every contribution helps move us closer to our goals.

What are your words to live by?

Be kind. That means being kind to others and remembering to be kind to yourself.

What are the Foundation’s total donations to IH to date?

Despite being a small foundation, we’ve been able to achieve some incredible goals over the years. To date, millions have been donated to support Lillooet Hospital.

Every donation—no matter the size—is deeply appreciated, and we are truly grateful for every cent.