A Master Carver from the Squamish Nation is gifting a personal memorial totem pole to Lions Gate Hospital to raise money for cancer care.
Darren Yelton, whose ancestral name is Knakweltn, created the pole in honor of his mother, Dolores Yelton, who died of colon cancer in February 2022 at age 86. He was moved by the care she received despite overwhelmed staff. "One doctor literally crying with tears coming down his eyes," Yelton recalled.
The six-foot base of old-growth red cedar will hold at least 2,000 memorial name plaques. The public can purchase a plaque for $250, with 80 percent donated to the hospital's cancer clinic. Yelton hopes to raise $500,000. The pole will be stood on June 15, with a ceremony on June 27 in front of the Paul Myers acute care tower.