Health Sciences Foundation Report – Dave Knutson
THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – October was an exceptional month for the Health Sciences Foundation. On October 10, 2013 the Health Sciences Foundation launched the Exceptional Cancer Care Campaign with a media event during the day and a gala reception in the evening. Our goal is to make the Regional Cancer Care the best centre in the province by providing Exceptional Cancer Care, all close to home. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is committed to helping our community raise $5.9 million for this goal in three distinct areas: Exceptional Diagnoses, Exceptional Treatments, and Exceptional Research. Currently we have raised $3.0M and have $2.9M to go!
We also held our 21st Annual Tbaytel Luncheon of HOPE on October 18 with over 500 guests in attendance, celebrating 21 years of HOPE for breast cancer patients and their families in Northwestern Ontario. The room was enlightened by the guest speaker Maureen Holloway and over $20,000 was raised to better the care received by patients here and throughout our region.
On that very same day was the deadline for our 4th Annual Volunteer Association and Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grant Program. 73 applications were received. The review committee, including members of the Volunteer Association, Foundation, previous recipients and community members look forward to awarding $60,000 in grants of up to $2,500 each. With over $157,000 in applications, they will have many tough decisions to make. This program has celebrated care improvements throughout the Health Sciences Centre including Endoscopy (a wall-mount arm for a monitor so that procedures may be explained visually, reducing anxiety), Adolescent Mental Health (a mural depicting all communities in Northern Ontario), Rehab (an adjustable height table to accommodate seated and standing patients) and many other areas.
A few weeks ago, on October 26, the Balmoral Park Acura Save a Heart Ball gala event was held at the Victoria Inn. A champagne reception, followed by a gourmet meal, enticing live and silent auctions and fantastic entertainment was enjoyed by all. This great event supports excellence in cardiac care here at the Health Sciences Centre. Congratulations to the organizing committee for an excellent event!
The Foundation is also very pleased to be hosting the Intercity Shopping Centre 50/50 Cash Draw again this year. Please stop by, visit our volunteers, and buy a ticket while you are out and about during this busy holiday season. The raffle will continue to support the Exceptional Cancer Care Campaign. The winning ticket, with a prize of up to $10,000, will be drawn on December 23, just in time for Christmas.
Thank you to all of our supporters in the community. The Health Sciences Foundation is the proud recipient of funds raised by many events in our community. These ‘Third Party Events’ are organized and executed by individuals and groups and range from golf tournaments to wine tastings and comedy shows.
Dave Knutson
Board Chair
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