A group of North Delta students hosted a fundraiser to benefit two new cardiac catheterization labs set to come online at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
On Sunday (Dec. 17), youths from Seaquam Secondary under the banner of a new non-profit group called Hope4Hearts hosted “Heartwarming Festival,” a cash-only holiday-themed event at the North Delta Recreation Centre from noon to 6 p.m.
The festival supported Surrey Hospitals Foundation’s “Keep Hearts Beating Close to Home” campaign to build and equip two “cath labs” at Surrey Memorial Hospital — the facility’s first.
Five students; Jeewanreet Tathgur, Livleen Manani, Mahek Toor, Harsimran Lakhian and Simerleen Khurana collected $3,000 at the most recent update.
“The successful event gave the students great motivation and recognition to do more events for social causes”, said one of the parents.
The two new cardiac catheterization labs are among 30 “promised health care actions” announced by Health Minister Adrian Dix in June aimed at improving and expanding care at Surrey’s bustling and oft-embattled hospital.
Other actions include improving and increasing capacity for orientation and adaptation care, surgeries and clinical care; introducing an interdisciplinary team for child and youth mental health for emergency care and increased staffing for the pediatric emergency department; building out internal medicine teaching units to support recruitment; increasing capacity to discharge patients; funding for clinical associates, associate physicians and nurse practitioners; a refreshed clinical service plan for the Surrey-Delta region focusing on renal services within 18 months; adding a second radiology suite at the hospital; adding net new MRI/CT machines with cardiac capabilities and access to diagnostic services; completing renovations of operation rooms; and expanding outpatient, home health, clinical social work, physiotherapy and respiratory services.
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— with files from Anna Burns and James Smith