She's been a nurse for the better part of the last half-century and today Delysia Goff was honored with an award only one other Belizean can boast of receiving. Nurse Goff was bestowed with the Florence Nightingale Award by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The award is given for excellence but more so a commitment to the nursing profession. And perhaps no one no one fits that bill quite like Nurse Goff. She's been with the Red Cross almost Full time since she retired from the Belize City hospital in May of 1988. The award was presented by the Governor General Sir Colville Young. Afterwards we spoke to a humbled and modest Nurse Delysia Goff.
Delysia Goff, Award Recipient
"I have Red Cross in my heart. I sleep and when I wake I think of Red Cross and if an emergency should arise, I will find the strength to go out and still serve. So this honor that I am receiving today was not really one of my goals. My goal was to work for the people in Belize. I never anticipated I would have received this level of award from the International Committee of the Red Cross."
Karen Diaz, Red Cross President
"It is exceptionally a privilege for Belize to receive this award not only once but twice, very unusual. Of course the two ladies that have received the award are both exceptional themselves so yes it is the highest award that nurses or nurses' aids can get internationally."
The other Belizean to be awarded the Florence Nightingale award is Audrey Courtenay in 1997. At this afternoon's ceremony, students from the Red Cross' home care givers programs graduated.
