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Thousands donated for seniors’ health at Ridge Meadows Hospital

The Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society raised more than $10,000 at their annual gala
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Dr. Biju Mathew at the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society’s 10th annual gala. (Contributed)

More than $10,000 will be going towards seniors’ health issues thanks to fundraising efforts by the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society.

The society’s 10th annual gala was attended by as many as 250 people at the end of February and money raised at the event will be donated to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation to put towards seniors’ health care.

Since 2008 the society has donated more than $71,000 to the hospital foundation in addition to other charities in the community.

Every year they choose a different issue to raise money for.

Dr. Biju Mathew, president of Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society, believes the issue of seniors’ health is an emerging problem and he is hoping this money will help raise awareness in the community.

One major factor that Dr. Mathew believes contributes to a decline in the health of seniors is loneliness. And, he says, loneliness is only increasing within that demographic.

”Technology is not helping people come together. They might talk on the phone but the person to person contact is getting decreased,” said Dr. Mathew.

“It’s a global problem,” he said explaining that in the United Kingdom a government ministry has been created to combat lonliness and in India seniors regularly register with the police in case they have an emergency at home.

Dr. Mathew is hoping to form a committee in Maple Ridge to bring awareness to this issue as well.

However, the society’s most recent donation may be used to purchase wheelchairs or walkers.

Or it could even go towards programming, explained Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation development officer Michelle Boileau.

“We won’t receive the funds until our new fiscal year and our new fiscal year list of equipment needs is coming out next month,” said Boileau.

Dr. Mathew was also instrumental in initiating the Youth Wellness Centre through the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services.

The Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society’s mission is to create compassionate communities, support Canadian diversity and uplift the needy.

Dr. Mathew has full-confidence that the hospital foundation’s leadership and board will put the money towards what is most needed.



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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