QEH Auxiliary Surpasses $6 Million in Donations and Celebrates 40th Anniversary
July 4, 2022
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I – At a recent ceremony at Government House, hosted by the Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Auxiliary was recognized for surpassing $6 million in charitable giving to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in their 40th anniversary year.
During her remarks, Her Honour acknowledged the recent celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and connected the QEH Auxiliary members’ years of service to Her Majesty’s reign, noting that both share a similar sense of duty and devotion to one’s community.
QEH Foundation board chair and event emcee, Patsy MacLean, highlighted the many advancements in Island health care made possible through QEH Auxiliary donations.
“On behalf of the QEH Foundation Board, I extend our sincere thanks to all Auxiliary members and volunteers, past and present, for having achieved this $6 million milestone over their forty year history,” said MacLean. “Now that pandemic restrictions are lifting, we can at last acknowledge one of our lead donors, the QEH Auxiliary, in reaching this incredible milestone.”
The QEH Auxiliary began in 1981 before the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It is a volunteer organization that provides funds, services, education and fellowship to staff and volunteers of the QEH. The Auxiliary raises a majority of its funds through operation of Lillibet’s Gift Shop, Royal Pantry Eatery and Auxiliary Coffee, all located in the main lobby of the hospital.
QEH Auxiliary President, Laura-Lee Lewis says the Auxiliary has over 30 dedicated members as well as shop volunteers and staff who are grateful for the opportunity to support the QEH while offering nutritious food, snacks and quality gift items to the thousands of health care workers, physicians, patients and their families who are in and around the hospital every day.
“Achieving the $6 million milestone is significant for our Auxiliary,” said Lewis. “Like many other organizations, the past few years were challenging and we truly want to salute our volunteers who have helped operate our shops during this difficult time.”
Honourable Ernie Hudson, PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, attended the ceremony to congratulate the Auxiliary members on their incredible achievements.
“On behalf of Islanders, we thank you for 40 years of dedication to helping all those who access the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” said Minister Hudson. “The $6 million donated since the QEH opened in 1982 to support the purchase of new medical equipment, has impacted almost every department. The caring and welcoming hearts of the volunteers who work both for the Auxiliary, and in the QEH, certainly play an important role in the healing process for all who use the hospital and its services. In recognition of the Auxilliary’s exemplary service, the Province was pleased to provide a $50,000 gift in February 2021, to help the Auxiliary continue its good work throughout the pandemic.”
Recently, the QEH Auxiliary donated $145,000 to fund a new Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) system for the Provincial Laboratory at the QEH.
QEH Laboratory Manager, Shane Buchanan, attended the event to thank the QEH Auxiliary for this innovative equipment and highlighted its potential impact on the provincial laboratory.
“The LBC system will be an integral piece in supporting new testing initiatives and allow the lab to streamline and standardize the making of slides that will be read by pathologists to determine the presence or absence of cancerous cells,” says Buchanan. “The LBC system will also support the new HPV testing initiative and more information on this is expected in the coming months.”
QEH Auxiliary President, Laura-Lee Lewis, noted that the Auxiliary is always looking to welcome new volunteers and invites anyone interested in volunteering to call the QEH Auxiliary office at(902) 894-2197 or email QEHAuxiliary@gmail.com
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For more information:
Kathleen Murphy, Director of Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956