2001 News Releases
For immediate release - March 15, 2001
Volunteers Give Brain Research Gift That Keeps
On Giving. The Friends of the Hospital fulfill pledge of $1.5 million
for neurosciences
OTTAWA - Officials from the Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI)
and The
Ottawa Hospital had a million and a half reasons to celebrate today.
At a reception held in their honour, The Friends of The Ottawa Hospital
– General Campus handed over the last cheque that capped off
a four-year campaign that has raised $1.5 million for neuroscience
research.
Jacques LaRivière, President of the hospital-based volunteer
organization The Friends, was proud of his group's accomplishment.
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to make a gift
that keeps on giving," said LaRivière. "This endowment
fund will ensure that the efforts of our volunteers continue to
have an impact on neuroscience research for many years to come.
This gift to the Institute is a result of a team effort, from the
hundreds of summer students who've served with us over the last
four summers, to all of our full and part-time volunteers who give
their time and effort year round. Everyone has pitched in."
Dr. Antoine Hakim, Director of the NRI, was equally enthusiastic
about the Friends reaching their goal, and knows their gift will
go to good use. "Every ten minutes, someone in Canada suffers
a stroke – it is a widespread problem that touches us all,"
said Dr. Hakim, who was recently named Scientific Director of
the national Canadian Stroke Network. "The Friends' are a dedicated
group of volunteers who have taken a leadership role in our community
in the fight against devastating conditions such as stroke. This
is a fine example of how a community can directly contribute to
advancements in neurosciences.
"Proceeds from the interest earned by the Friends' Chair in
Neuroscience Research will help the NRI recruit world-class investigators,
and support leading edge research into mechanisms that help the
brain recover from illness and injury. The NRI is a member of the
new Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, which is affiliated with The
Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa.
The Friends announced their pledge of $1.5 million to neuroscience
research during Volunteer Week in 1997. Since 1980, the Friends
have given over one million hours of service, and have raised more
than $6.5 million for the Hospital to fund equipment purchases,
research and other projects related to the wellbeing of patients.
The Friends of the Hospital is an association that is over 350
members strong. Volunteers donate anywhere from a half-day up to
five days a week of their time. It brings together people from many
different personal and professional backgrounds, but they all share
a common goal, helping others.
Contact:
Ron Vezina,
Media Relations Officer,
613-737-8460
Heather McDiarmid
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
798-5555, ext. 12972
hmcdiarmid@ottawahospital.on.ca
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