The Delta Hospital Auxiliary handed out eight bursaries to local students and staff this week.
A celebration was held at the hospital Wednesday to announce $11,000 has been awarded to six students and two hospital staffers as part of the auxiliary's bursary program. It's the 20th year the society has given out bursaries to assist students who are entering the health care field and for staff members to upgrade their skills.
It's just the latest example of giving by the nonprofit group, formed in the late 1960s by individuals dedicated to bringing a hospital to Delta. The auxiliary has been vital for the hospital, purchasing many pieces of medical equipment over the years. It also provides for the residential care unit as well as the music therapy program and other areas.
Hundreds of volunteers contribute tens of thousands of hours every year at the auxiliary's gift shop,
Lifeline unit, Ladner thrift store and Courtyard Cafe. They're also involved in such activities as making post-surgical pillows for mastectomy and other patients.
In the last year, the group contributed $125,000 for the purchase of a new bus for Mountain View Manor, the hospital's extended care unit, as well as hundreds of thousands for medical equipment, recreation programs and Music therapy.
The group is also halfway to its goal of raising $2.5 million to contribute to the hospital's lab services and medical imaging expansion project.
Last month, members of the auxiliary and the Delta Hospital Foundation celebrated the opening of a new pre-admission clinic for surgical daycare, a project made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of both groups.
