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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – For more than 30 years, Lynda Rayner was part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s caring team.

She provided quality care as an occupational therapist and regularly witnessed doctors, nurses and other staff offering both personal and professional attention to patients.

So last year, when her husband, Gary, had a stroke, just two months after Lynda retired, she felt certain he would receive top-notch care.

Still, she was impressed with what she saw.

“It was really interesting being on the other side of the coin, for sure,’’ she says.

“I guess what struck me the most was how professional people were but also how respectful and caring. We talk a lot in our work about being client-focused and I really found that to be very, very true (with Gary) here at the QEH. So we were really impressed.’’

Lynda elaborates on the care, noting staff always tried to balance the reality of Gary’s situation with hope for the future.

“I really, really saw the caring here from the QEH,’’ she says.

Gary is also effusive in his praise for the hospital, where he stayed for one month being treated for his stroke, and returned regularly for physiotherapy as well as speech and occupational therapy.

“Everyone has been obviously very, very supportive and very professional in what they do – very much engaged,’’ he says.

“I was in good hands.’’

“I guess what struck me the most was how professional people were but also how respectful and caring. We talk a lot in our work about being client-focused and I really found that to be very, very true (with Gary) here at the QEH. So we were really impressed.’’
-Lynda Rayner

Gary is keen to discuss the good care he received to help promote the 2017-18 annual Friends for Life campaign that was launched by the QEH Foundation Wednesday.

“The foundation is important,’’ he notes.

“The fundraising is non-stop.’’

This year’s campaign will raise funds to support the purchase of priority medical equipment for the hospital’s operating rooms, pharmacy, provincial laboratory, children’s health, stroke care, ICU, cancer and more.

Campaign chairman Doug Newson, the CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority, is confident that Islanders will once again make the fundraiser a success.

“As the Island’s main referral hospital, our gifts to the campaign will impact the lives of over 1,000 people who receive care at the QEH each day,’’ says Newson.

“All contributions, big and small, will positively impact the care of Islanders today and into the future.’’

Queen Elizabeth Hospital CAO Jamie MacDonald says equipment needs continue to grow at the hospital as technology advances.

“We are very grateful to the entire Island community for ensuring QEH is well equipped to deliver quality health care here at home,’’ says MacDonald.

How to donate

• Donations to the QEH Friends for Life Campaign can be made by calling the QEH Foundation office at 902-894-2425, online at www.qehfoundation.pe.ca or by mail to the QEH Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown, P.E.I., C1A 8T5.