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Editorial: Thanking our nurses

It’s a chance to recognize nurses from coast-to-coast for their dedication and sacrifice.
Hospital nurses
Say thanks to our nurses this week during National Nurses Week.

This week is National Nursing Week (May 10 to 16).

It’s a chance to recognize nurses from coast-to-coast for their dedication and sacrifice.

The past year and a half has shown all of us how important nurses and medical personnel are. The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the courage and commitment that nurses bring to their jobs every day and has shown all of us just how vital and important they are.

The Canadian Nurses Association has selected We Answer The Call as this year’s theme. It is fitting as it showcases the many roles that nurses play in one’s health-care journey.

In today’s print edition of the Optimist, you will see that several of our advertisers have chosen to use their space to thank nurses in our community for all that they do.

We echo that message and offer our thanks as well. We certainly don’t know where we would be at in this pandemic without you.

Auxiliary volunteers’ step-up

And while we are thanking nurses this week, I’m also sending kudos to other vital folks in our healthcare system here in Delta.

The amazing Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society presented a cheque for $512,000 to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation earlier this week.

The money will be used to purchase several vital pieces of equipment for Delta Hospital.

Delta has one of the most successful hospital auxiliaries in the province. Since 1969 their entrepreneurial spirit and volunteerism has provided patient care, comfort and much-needed funds to support patients and their care at our hospital.

The Auxiliary boasts more than 400 members who donate close to 100,000 hours a year.

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and having to shutter its Dogwood Gift Shop, Courtyard Café, the Delta Auxiliary Thrift Store (which also couldn’t open up in January following a fire), volunteers pressed on and found a way to still give back in a meaningful way.

Over the years, more than $18 million has been raised by the Auxiliary. That is a staggering amount of goodwill, volunteerism and fundraising.