November 30, 2010 - 7:13am
Fourth-year nursing students at Vancouver Island University went above and beyond course requirements and raised $2,000 for local branches of the ALS Society of BC and the Autism Society of British Columbia.
Alexandria Stuart, Nanaimo Branch Coordinator of the Autism Society of BC, said the donation will make a big difference to Nanaimo-area children and adults with autism and their families.
”We are so very grateful. The Autism Society of BC relies on its membership and private donations for funding. These types of contributions are greatly appreciated and allow us to do additional work in the community to facilitate inclusion for people with autism and much-needed support services for their families,” Stuart said.
Stuart said the Nanaimo Branch is planning to launch a local website about autism and is also working to raise awareness in School District 68 and the broader community about autism. Autism is described in an information pamphlet as a “pervasive development disorder” -- a disability which affects the way people are able to interpret what they see, hear and feel.
Glenda Reynolds, president of the local chapter of the ALS Society of BC, added her thanks to the students who raised the money through bottle drives, burger sales and other volunteer activities. ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease is a fatal motor neuron disease.
The students presented the $1,000 cheques to each of the societies at a “Passing the Baton” event at VIU. Nursing professor Maureen O’Connor said the event showcases the community practice and research projects of fourth-year students.
Teams of students have been involved in a range of projects such as working with First Nations communities, providing referrals and services to students and VIU employees on campus and producing a weekly radio show on health issues.
The event is known as “Passing the Baton” because fourth-year students provide their third-year counterparts with information on what they have learned and community contacts.
“New groups of students can carry on in January. It helps ensure the longevity of the projects,” O’Connor said.
The fundraising initiative was separate from the course projects. O’Connor said a group of students took on the challenge because some had personal experience with family members affected by autism and ALS.
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For more information:
Nursing programs at VIU including a program information session Jan. 19: viu.ca/hhs/bsn/
Autism Society of British Columbia: www.autismbc.ca
ALS Society of British Columbia and Yukon: www.als.ca/_units/british_columbia.aspx
For more photos of the Passing the Baton event visit Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouverislanduniversity/sets/721576253692...
Tags: In the Community
