After 77 years of fundraising and providing services throughout the hospital, and raising almost $8 million, the Auxiliary of the Montreal Children’s Hospital will cease to exist. Auxiliary members held their last annual general meeting on Wednesday October 21, to review the final items of business and to make their last donation of $400,000. Over the years, the Auxiliary was faced with tough choices about which departments to support.  The needs were many. From preemie pillows to cutting-edge equipment, their guiding vision was to choose equipment or projects that provided the most direct benefit for patients and families. They also supported programs that were desperately underfunded like eating disorders, which ultimately led to educating the patients and families on how to address this deadly disease. Dr. Julius Erdstein credits donor support like the Auxiliary’s and new therapies for making a real difference. “Anorexia is no longer the no.1 killer in pediatric mental health.” Another recipient of Auxiliary funding, Dr. Pablo Ingelmo, Director of Chronic Pain Service, says his clinic would “not exist without this kind of funding.” The camaraderie of the members and their dedication to the Children’s made the Auxiliary an important donor and partner, and their support will be missed.  They came from boroughs across the entire city, no matter the weather. As this venerable and long standing organization closes its doors, their message to the new generation of fundraisers is clear: there is an even greater need for volunteerism in this age of research and technological advances. Carolyn Bélec, co-president of the Auxiliary, says their goal now is to encourage their members to join the new Friends of the MUHC, a new organization committed to raising funds, raising awareness and raising spirit for our new, state of the art hospital. Since there is no better form of appreciation than emulation, let’s pick up where they left off, with our families and networks of friends, and keep making a difference for those who need it most. [caption id="attachment_7273" align="aligncenter" width="680" caption="Members of the Auxiliary of the Montreal Children's Hospital and their final donation of $400,000!"][/caption]

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