OTTAWA, April 26, 2012 (WAFA) - In the second annual fundraiser, St. John Ambulance helped raise awareness and funds for access to healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territory, a press release by the Palestine Delegation to Canada said Thursday.

With the support of the local community in Ottawa, the Order of St. John and the Palestinian Ambassador to Canada, the event raised more than $10,000 for the East Jerusalem-based eye hospital.

The president of the St. John Ambulance (Federal District), Alan Bird, expressed appreciation for the community’s support noting that the amount raised this year was more than double in the first year.

St. John Hospital has provided care in Jerusalem since 1882 and today has satellite centers in Hebron, Anabta and Gaza – as well as Mobile Outreach Clinics operating throughout the West Bank. Despite operating in one of the world's most difficult environments, in 2011 the hospital treated 107,048 patients (35,986 under the age of 18).

Palestine’s ambassador Hamad expressed thanks on behalf of the Palestinian people to the Order of St. John and to the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians for their dedicated and continuing support for the hospital.

“The Palestinian people deeply appreciate the humanitarian and charitable work of the hospital which transcends politics and delivers professional care despite the challenges of the occupation,” he said.

M.S.