The local health care community and supporters gathered for a picnic celebration Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of 91原创 Memorial Hospital.
Candy and Lanson Foster of Lanstone Homes attended as longtime supporters of local health care. They were both born at 91原创 Memorial Hospital, with their birth certificates marked Murrayville, instead of 91原创.
鈥淎ll three of our children were born here,鈥� she added.
Candy explained that their family has had the typical hospital visits over the years, but she credits the local health care community for her survival from two types of cancer.
鈥淭he treatment and care and compassion I鈥檝e received here is incredible,鈥� Candy said.
The gratitude was echoed by other speakers that day, including Township Councillor Kim Richter, serving as acting mayor, and 91原创 City Mayor Nathan Pachal.
鈥淲e have a lot, as a family, to thank the hospital for,鈥� Richter said.
She voiced her appreciation for not only the medical staff but all the volunteers and others involved in the local hospital and health care sector.
Pachal was joined at the event by City councillors Rosemary Wallace and Leith White.
鈥淭hanks to all the folks, both past and present, who鈥檝e kept our community safe,鈥� Pachal commented.
Dr. Elaine Mah looked around before deciding to practice medicine in 91原创. She started more than 30 years ago.
鈥淚 chose to come here. I did locums at hospitals across the Lower Mainland,鈥� she said.
People enjoyed lunch on the lawns near the stone wall, the last vestige of the 91原创 Cottage Hospital. That was the first hospital in the community, replaced by the current building 75 years ago.
As part of the lunch, people could have Wagonwheel biscuits. Emcee Jim McGregor, who was born at 91原创 Memorial and served for many years as the City fire chief, explained the desserts were served on what was also the Wagonwheel鈥檚 75th anniversary.
After speeches, it was time for those attending to enjoy cakes created by Bria Communities, and entertainment by the 91原创 Ukulele Association, 91原创 Memorial Hospital Auxiliary VolunTEEN members who performed music, the Folk Star Arts Academy Society with its bhangra dancing, and a pianist.
.
鈥� READ MORE: 91原创鈥檚 first doctor
鈥� READ MORE: She was told she wasn鈥檛 smart enough to be a doctor
鈥� READ MORE: He鈥檚 74. 91原创 Memorial is 75
鈥� READ MORE: Local health care, past, present and future
.
Have a story tip? Email: heather.colpitts@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .
