The Nome Nugget

$7,500 Donation Big Boost To Orthopedic Fund

The building fund of the Children's Orthopedic Hospital, Seattle, was given a handsome boost recently with the gift of $7,500 by the Pacific American Fisheries, Inc., of Bellingham, bringing the over-all total of the $2,000,000 campaign goal to $903,102.

Mr. Archie W. Shiels, chairman of the executive committee and former president of the company, in presenting the check commented, 'This gift of money will be earmarked for the construction of a room in the new hospital in appreciation for all the Orthopedic Hospital has given to and done for the hundreds of Alaskan patients who have been sent to the Orthopedic over a period of many years."

"The willingness with which the Orthopedic in Seattle has accepted the children from the north and the special services children have received is known throughout Alaska from the farthest north American community on the continent. Point Barrow, to the southern tip of Alaska, the Prince of Wales Island.

"Many of these children are walking today for the first time in their lives and only due to their trip or trips to the Orthopedic Hospital. Yes, the hospital is very close to the hearts of Alaskans and the Orthopedic's plans for the building of a new and larger hospital is a need that should be supported by all."

In the forty-two years of the Orthopedic Hospital 437 patients have come from Alaska. From 1947 through 1948 there were 29 patients. Many of these have been long time patients, some of them remaining for a number of years.

Among the many cities and towns in Alaska which have sent patients the Juneau, Valdez, Kodiak, Ketchikan, St. Paul Island, Fairbanks, Petersburg, Karluk, Teller, Point Barrow and others.