The Avril Chevigny playroom that has been at Cariboo Memorial Hospital for 29 years will become part of the new hospital upgrade.
Avril Chevigny died at the age of eight-years-old on May 25, 1996 after battling Lymphoma/Leukemia. During the time she was going for treatments her father, André Chevigny, decided Williams Lake needed a room at the hospital where children would feel comfortable and have things to do. It could be for children waiting to be seen in emergency or there with a family member who was.
“I’m excited about the new playroom and to continue with something that’s been so needed in Williams Lake for another generation or two,” André said as he stood inside the room Wednesday, June 18.
André said he has been working with Interior Health on the design for the new space and without giving too much away said it will have lots of glass windows, and some of the same themes. In the beginning the room had a VCR and TV, but smiling Andre said ‘times have changed.” During the pandemic the room was used for quarantine and most of the furniture was moved out.
Interior Health confirmed in the redevelopment, Avril’s Room will be located within the new child’s playroom located beside the main waiting area just inside the main emergency entrance.
The room will be 15 square metres (160 square feet) with one wall featuring a mural as well as log furniture for children and a TV.
“We are deeply grateful to have partnered with André Chevigny to ensure the memory of his daughter, Avril Chevigny, continues to live on through Avril’s Room in the new emergency department as part of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) Redevelopment," said Heather Hair, Director, Clinical Operations, CMH.
Since the word has been getting out that the room will be continued, André has received offers of support from various businesses and people.
“It was designed to draw children in and we will bring that to the new room,” he said.
When Avril was diagnosed, André fundraised for Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, helped pay for IV poles and couches for Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
He also established the Avril Chevigny Fund which his family has contributed to over the years. Through the fund he continues to meet confidentially with families and helps with costs associated to having to travel with a child for cancer treatments.
“They get the funds instantly, which is a big thing,” he said, adding there are programs to help but normally families have to spend the money first to get reimbursed.
“I speak with the parents one-on-one and can help answer questions about things I had to deal with myself in the past regarding cancer and treatment.”
It also not uncommon for André to visit the room on occasion.
“It’s a healing place for me," he said. "I come up here to be by myself."
