The crash
But one summer ride ended abruptly when a crash left him with cracked ribs, a swollen hip, and serious injuries to his hand. “I knew right away it was bad,” Chris recalls. “My hand was a mess, my ribs hurt to breathe, both shoulders were screaming. It wasn’t just a tumble—it was a full stop.”
At Comox Valley Hospital, the emergency team and medical imaging technologists quickly assessed the damage. “The scans showed the extent of my injuries,” says Chris. “Two fingers needed stitching, one knuckle had to be replaced, and another finger was dislocated. I’m still in awe of the skill and precision of the doctors who put me back together.”
The road to recovery
After surgery and recovery, Chris did something remarkable—he got back on the bike. Competing at the BMX Canada Nationals in Nanaimo, he placed second in all three races, despite lingering soreness.
Chris is sharing his story to highlight the importance of diagnostic imaging in our community.
“Having this level of care close to home makes all the difference,” Chris says. “It’s not just about fixing broken bones—it’s about restoring our spirits and helping us return to the things we love.”
Why diagnostic imaging matters
For patients, every diagnosis comes with some uncertainty. The path to clarity, and hopefully recovery, begins with timely access to the right equipment and compassionate, close-to-home care.
With more than 104,000 diagnostic procedures performed each year at Comox Valley Hospital, medical imaging plays a vital role in nearly every stage of care, from prenatal ultrasound and early cancer detection to injury assessment and surgical recovery. But much of the hospital’s imaging equipment is aging and urgently needs replacement.
That’s why the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation and the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare are committed to funding new ultrasound machines and investing in a state-of-the-art mammography unit.
“Newer machines mean sharper images, faster results, and greater comfort for patients. This translates into more accurate diagnoses, less time waiting, and better overall care. It also supports our staff by giving them the best tools to do their job well,” explains Alex Melanson, Medical Imaging Manager for North Vancouver Island (seen in centre photo).
See how you can help at cvhealthcarefoundation.com
