Almost everyone in Regina and across southern Saskatchewan knows someone who has benefited from the great care provided at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina. It is also the place where a dedicated group of committed volunteers give their time to help make the lives of patients and their families better.

“Volunteering boosts your confidence and makes you feel that even as a senior you are still capable of doing important things in life,” says Alice Johnson, Pasqua Hospital Auxiliary volunteer.

With a history that dates back to 1907, the Pasqua Hospital Auxiliary plays a key role by raising funds and helping patients to be more comfortable, including lending a kind and sympathetic ear to patients and their families. The Auxiliary operates a gift shop just inside the hospital’s main doors, staffed by a team of approximately 40 volunteers. However, the gift shop is not the only way the volunteers raise funds to support the Pasqua Hospital. They also hold raffles and sell gently used books throughout the year. The proceeds support the purchase of new equipment and technology for the hospital, through the Auxiliary’s decades long partnership with Hospitals of Regina Foundation.

The Pasqua Hospital Auxiliary has been a tremendous supporter of the Foundation. Since 1984, they have contributed over $5.3 million to make the lives of countless patients better. This includes their most recent commitment of $612,900 in support of palliative care and a new medical imaging suite planned for Pasqua Hospital. The state of the art imaging technology in this suite will provide critical information physicians need to diagnose, treat and monitor injuries and disease.

Alice Johnson first volunteered at the Pasqua Hospital in 1982. She joined the Auxiliary in 1983 and has been co-managing the gift shop with Joy Strong since 2001. She shares that there are many reasons she loves being a volunteer.

“Volunteering gives you a sense of doing something good and contributing something to your community. You see many patients who come into the hospital, many with serious medical problems, and you realize that your problems aren’t nearly as bad as you think,” Alice declares.

“Volunteering boosts your confidence and makes you feel that even as a senior you are still capable of doing important things in life,” she adds with a smile.

“The generosity of our community is exemplified by the work of the Pasqua Hospital Auxiliary volunteers,” says Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “They are among our most dedicated partners, with a deep passion for helping patients at the Pasqua Hospital. We are blessed to have them as our partners and friends.”