Digestive health conditions touch many lives, cause incredible discomfort and pain, and contribute to Canadians taking more than 18 million sick days a year. 

We often don’t talk about them, because there’s a stigma (and usually some embarrassment) attached to a lot of digestive symptoms. 

Right now, highly specialized teams at St. Paul’s Hospital are saving and improving the lives of patients who need sophisticated digestive health care. This may include IBD, colorectal surgery, liver disease, endoscopy, colon cancer screening and management, diabetes, and alternative nutrition.

We are breaking down barriers to digestive health care by combining compassionate care with world-leading expertise.

And we need your help to achieve our vision. Together, we can help thousands of British Columbians living with digestive health concerns. 

Of the 15 fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons in BC, five are based at St. Paul’s – and this number is likely to grow at the new St. Paul’s Hospital. As the provincial centre of excellence in this field, we see patients from around BC – and the Yukon – for surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, IBD, and all other colorectal disorders.

With a remarkable growth in complexity over the last two decades, rectal cancer care has become a particular focus at St. Paul’s, which is a hub of multidisciplinary care and management for the province. Our surgeons have strong ties to oncologists at BC Cancer centres across the province, and are well known for a collaborative approach to patient care.

Patients with digestive health disorders have complex needs that are best managed by allied health care workers before and after surgery. At the new DHC, patients will have access to the full gamut of specialists, all located under one roof.

Your gift to St. Paul’s Foundation will ensure our experts have the best tools, technology, training, and equipment they need for life-saving care.