More than 100 candy stripers came to the Coast recently for a first class junior volunteer conference that featured hands-on training in various medical fields, inspiring speakers and a concert by talented Coast youth.
"This event went above and beyond our expectations," said Karen Archer of the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary.
She said the idea for hosting the bi-annual conference on the Coast came from local candy stripers.
"We took six kids to Kelowna for a candy striper convention set up in a room with various speakers in a lecture style presentation. On the way home the kids were saying 'we could do better,' and we ended up designing our whole conference based on the input we received from the kids," said Archer.
Candy stripers are volunteers between the ages of 12 and 18 who help out in various medical institutions by reading to residents, playing games with them, writing letters for them, walking with them, feeding them and helping care staff in any way they can.
"It's an amazing experience and an opportunity to see all different sides of the health care profession. These kids are working alongside nurses and doctors, hearing their diagnosis and learning what to do," said Archer.
The six local candy stripers met up with 116 other candy stripers from across the province at Camp Elphinstone during the Candy Striper Conference held April 29 to May 1.
The youth heard a presentation from local occupational therapist Sarah Doherty who is the only disabled climber to scale Mt. McKinley. She spoke of her experience with a candy striper and how important the visits were to her when she was in the hospital.
Young candy stripers also took part in a number of workshops on the Coast put on by St. Mary's Hospital's X-ray, pharmacy and rehab services, as well as the local RCMP, Dr. Linda Ward, who practices traditional Chinese medicine, community health services, Sunshine Coast infant development program, ambulance services and mental health services.
"Everyone I talked to was willing to help out. All the people at the conference were bowled over by the calibre of workshops, and so were we," said Archer.
Upon leaving Camp Elphinstone people were already talking about having another conference on the Coast.
"The kids loved it and want to do it again. This is something these teens will never forget, but we're not going to volunteer to do it again right away. It's important the conference moves around so we can visit other areas and see what they're doing," said Archer.
She notes she is always looking for more volunteer candy stripers and says the experience is useful in determining whether or not a job in healthcare is appropriate. To volunteer or for more information, call Suzanne Larocque at 604-886-4633.
