World Class Event Shows off Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY – An amazing week at the PGA TOUR Canada Staal Foundation Open has ended. The Staal Family Foundation donated $112,000.00 to three charities with funds raised from the inaugural Staal Foundation Open PGA TOUR Canada event. Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario, Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Exceptional Cancer Care Campaign all received a donation as part of the Staal Family commitment to supporting children and families in northwestern Ontario.
Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario is a non-profit volunteer organization that, in addition to its signature week-long camping experience, provides year-round support for children with cancer (receiving treatment or in remission) and their families. Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario was established in 2001. It is dedicated to providing uplifting experiences for kids with cancer.
The Northwestern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC) is a not-for-profit organization that serves families cross northern Ontario. Founded in 1998 by a group of parents who wanted to support families, the NOFCC serves families on treatment, in follow up care as well as bereaved families. The organization helps families meet some of their immediate financial needs associated with traveling for treatment by offering reimbursement programs for parking, accommodations, taxi’s and a per diem program for days spent away from home. NOFCC offers 13 programs and services to families including palliative support care through meals and house cleaning, emergency funding, a bursary program for post-secondary education, computers to accommodate distance education, as well as tutoring.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation raises funds to support programs, equipment and services in Thunder Bay and throughout northwestern Ontario that improve patient care. 100% of the money raised stays in northwestern Ontario. The $5.9 million Exceptional Cancer Care campaign has been developed to support Regional Cancer Care Northwest to become the best Centre in the province for exceptional Cancercare. The campaign is raising funds to put state-of-the art equipment in the hands of local cancer care professionals so they can provide exceptional cancer diagnosis, treatment and research right here at home.
The Staal Family Foundation mission statement is “motivated by the desire to give back to communities where we live and work by providing support and opportunities for children and families fighting cancer.”
Eric Staal, eldest brother and spokesperson for the Staal Family Foundation indicated that it has been some time in the making but they are now happy to have the Foundation in place. “The three charities we have identified as recipients today are all exceptional in the delivery of services to those persons and families suffering from cancer. This is what we envisioned when we put this Foundation in place and we can’t be more pleased with the first charitable organizations and making this announcement today.”
Scott Smith, Executive Director of the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel concurred with Eric’s comments citing a history of community contributions associated with PGA TOUR Canada events. “We are extremely pleased that as an additional outcome of our event, we are able to support so many worthwhile charitable organizations. Ticket sale revenues were directed to the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and the United Way and parking revenues to St. Josephs Care Group. Today the Staal Foundation is able to make additional contributions. This event will truly make a significant impact in the lives of the people of Thunder Bay.”
