A room in the new patient care tower at Royal Inland Hospital will be dedicated to the memory of Darrin Yusishen, a Kamloops resident who passed away in 2018 after a brave fight with brain cancer.

“It’s a great honour to recognize and respect Darrin Yusishen and to know his memory will live on at Royal Inland Hospital with our government’s commitment to have a room in the new patient care tower named in his memory,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Darrin cared deeply for his family and friends who were at his side as he battled, and for his wife Tammy, daughter Bella and son Kellen. This room will be a beacon of their love for each other.”

In 2017, Yusishen was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer that starts in the brain. This was followed by a diagnosis of gliomatosis, a rare brain tumour that is inoperable. Darrin passed away Jan. 23, 2018, at the age of 40.

“Patient care is a priority for our government. I have met with Darrin’s sister, Crystal Maloney, and understand the work that needs to continue to be done together to improve the health-care system,” Dix said. “The new tower being built at Royal Inland Hospital is a great step in that direction, offering enhanced care to people with more patient rooms offering privacy as well as more operating rooms, complementing space available at the hospital.” 

Maloney said, “Today is a day to memorialize and pay tribute to a great man, a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We love you, we miss you every minute of every day. But we know that you live on in hope, in inspiration, in change, in dignity and respect. On behalf of Darrin and our family, I thank everyone who has worked to create change and we look forward to the opening of the new patient tower in the years to come.”

Room location will be determined upon opening of the tower, in consultation with the family. The patient care tower is expected to open in 2022.

“We are pleased to be naming a room in honour of Darrin Yusishen, in the new Patient Care Tower being built at Royal Inland Hospital,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “Darrin's commitment to his family and his community is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder of the importance of person and family-centred care.”