The Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary raises money to help the community, and it is used for two specific purposes.
The first way that our funds are used is for purchasing hospital equipment. The second way is for the comfort of our patients.
From 1950 to 1980, funds raised by the auxiliary were used to purchase hospital equipment.
From 1983 to 1987, the auxiliary raised enough money to donate a hydro-therapy pool in the hospital. This pool helps many of our patients and our residents who have had mobility issues, with programs running Monday through Thursday.
In 1988, the auxiliary donated funds towards a major renovation of the intensive-care unit. These renovations provided the environment for staff to work effectively within the seven-bed unit.
From 2006 to 2008, the auxiliary contributed $1 million towards the purchase of the MRI we now have.
Without the generous support of the community, the auxiliary would not be able to make this type of donation.
The other major donation the auxiliary has made was in the years 2006 to 2010. They donated $1 million towards the total renovation of the maternity floor.
We now have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including private rooms for mothers who come to White Rock to deliver their babies.
The auxiliary also pays for many things for patient comfort.
An example of this is for the people in long-term care at the Weatherby and Dr. Al Hogg pavilions. In 1996, the auxiliary purchased a bus to take these residents to community events, including seeing the Christmas lights.
Many of our residents are not otherwise able to get out, as they may not have family in the community.
One very important program funded by our auxiliary is ‘arts way, ‘ which provides musicians who entertain the residents each month. These events help residents in many ways. People seem to come out of their shells with the sound of familiar music. Each month, there is a birthday party on each floor of the extended-care pavilions. The birthdays of anyone who has had a birthday in the month is celebrated.
At Christmas, the auxiliary purchases Christmas cake for all our patients and residents.
Many thanks to everyone who has been putting aside their pennies for Peach Arch Hospital.
Please come and see our newly reopened Superfluity shop. We have a new co-ordinator, Anna Setter. We have missed all of the customers and we are looking forward to seeing all of them again.