As we welcome in a New Year we look back on what the auxiliary to the Cowichan District Hospital has accomplished in 2014. With the generous support of the Valley community we have funded over $220,000 in projects.
The larger projects include the Arctic Sun, which is medical equipment used to place a seriously ill patient into a hyperthermic state while transferring the patient to a medical facility for more intensive care, a birthing bed for our very busy maternity ward, a transport incubator to transfer high risk newborns for more complicated care at a bigger health facility, and an extensive renovation of gardens at Cairnsmore Place.
We have also bought equipment for specialized eye surgery, respirology and laboratory as well as mattresses, bed alarms, refrigerators and an extensive renovation to the Cairnsmore beauty salon. The auxiliary is always receptive to the ongoing needs and requests of CDH and Cairnsmore Place as we strive to meet our mandate to assist in the care and comfort of patients and residents.
We would like to acknowledge that these funds have been raised primarily through HATS, our thrift shop, and our hospital gift shop, which are staffed by dedicated auxiliary volunteers who also work tirelessly in tea and visiting services at both sites as well as other service initiatives.
We also continue to receive support from the Sikh community who generously donate time in material and preparation of East Indian food that generates funds to our income.
As well, we have a group of dedicated knitters who tirelessly create beautiful articles which are sold in our gift shop, Christmas Chaos and Deck the Hall Christmas Craft Fair.
We are always happy to invite new members to join and bring fresh ideas n. The number of volunteers at present are 199 and come from as far as Mill Bay, Cobble Hill and Lake Cowichan.
Check out our new website www.cowichanhospitalauxiliary.com or email us at info@cowichanhositalauxiliary.com Claire Wessan is the president of the Cowichan District Hospital Auxiliary.
