2004 News Releases
For immediate release - March 5, 2004
JOHN MANLEY TO CHAMPION NATIONAL CAPITAL RACE WEEKEND’S
30 FOR 30 FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE IN SUPPORT OF THE OTTAWA HOSPITAL
(OTTAWA, ONTARIO) –The 2004 National
Capital Race Weekend and The Ottawa Hospital Foundation today
announced that the Hon. John Manley will champion the 30 for
30 Fundraising Challenge in support of much-needed healthcare
improvements and research at The Ottawa Hospital. The Race
Weekend takes place on a new date this year, from May 28 to
30.
As part of the “30 for 30” campaign, Race Weekend
participants and members of the community are asked to make
a minimum $30 donation in celebration of the special 30 year
relationship between the race organizers and the hospital.
Upon giving, supporters will receive a unique flashing button
that will boldly distinguish them from the tens of thousands
of participants and spectators attending the Race Weekend.
“I am thrilled to be involved in the 30 for 30 Fundraising
Challenge because it combines two of my deepest passions –
running and supporting our community,” said Mr. Manley,
who is training to run the half marathon on May 30. “Whether
you’re a seasoned marathoner or out for the two kilometre
family walk, the Race Weekend offers activities for everyone.
I am honoured this year to support The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
and I urge all Race Weekend participants to support this important
cause.”
Mr. Manley will lead the 30 for 30 Fundraising Challenge
with a series of public appearances scheduled to begin in
late March. His training results and fundraising progress
will be tracked online at www.ohfoundation.ca
. Pledges in support of Mr. Manley can be made at the same
Web address or by calling The Ottawa Hospital Foundation at
(613) 798-5555, ext. 19821.
Susan Doyle, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
added this: “Mr. Manley fully understands the need for
improved healthcare facilities and research at The Ottawa
Hospital, having lived in this city all of his life. What’s
more, he’s an experienced runner and veteran of several
marathons, including the National Capital Race Weekend marathon.
How perfect is that?”
“We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Manley leading
the 30 for 30 Fundraising Challenge,” said Susan Longbottom,
President of the National Capital Race Weekend and a nurse
at The Ottawa Hospital. “He has always been a big supporter
of the Race Weekend. His involvement will mean great things
for the event and for fundraising.”
Fundraising by Race Weekend participants has already raised
$2.5 million for the Women’s Breast Health Centre, as
well as prostate, colorectal and lung cancer assessment centres
at the Ottawa Hospital. Proceeds from this year’s 30
for 30 Fundraising Challenge will help fund a number of improvements
in patient care at the Civic, General and Riverside campuses
of The Ottawa Hospital, including:
• Doubling the size of the emergency departments and
converting them into state-of-the-art facilities
• Doubling the number of beds in the intensive care
units of the Civic and General Campuses
• Adding 17 new, state-of-the-art operating rooms
• Purchasing vital diagnostic equipment such as a CT
scanner to be located in the emergency department of the Civic
Campus
• Developing new, specialized out-patient care centers
for diabetes and lipids care
The 30 year relationship between The Ottawa Hospital and
the National Capital Race Weekend began back in 1975 at the
first National Capital Marathon when a small group of nurses
and doctors from the former Civic Hospital Emergency Department
volunteered to form a medical team. Their mission was to ensure
the safety of all runners as they strove to reach their personal
goals. That mission remains. In fact, the medical team is
credited with saving the life of more than one race participant
over the years.
There are a number of ways to support the 30 for 30 Fundraising
Challenge:
Become a fundraiser – Race Weekend
participants can raise funds by collecting pledges from friends,
family and co-workers online through The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
and National Capital Race Weekend Web sites. To celebrate
the 30th anniversary of the Race Weekend, fundraisers are
encouraged to seek $30 pledges from at least 30 of their friends,
family and co-workers. For more information, visit www.ohfoundation.ca
or call (613) 798-5555. ext. 19821.
Support a fundraiser – Support a fundraiser
by making a donation in person or online at www.ohfoundation.ca
and searching for your fundraiser’s personalized Web
page.
Donate online or by mail – You can
make donations online at www.ohfoundation.ca
or send them by mail at “30 for 30” c/o The Ottawa
Hospital Foundation, 737 Parkdale Avenue, 1st Floor, Ottawa,
ON, K1Y 1J8
Purchase a Button – You can make a
minimum $30 donation by purchasing a button at any campus
of The Ottawa Hospital or at any of the Running Room locations
in Ottawa.
With its 1,130 beds, The Ottawa Hospital
is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Canada and one
of the Ottawa area’s largest employers. It provides
comprehensive, high quality, patient-focused health care services,
in English and French, to over 1.5 million residents of Eastern
Ontario, and specialized and complex services for residents
of Northeastern Ontario. For more information, visit The Ottawa
Hospital Web site at www.ottawahospital.on.ca.
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s
mission is to inspire and enable people to support the highest
quality healthcare at The Ottawa Hospital and world-class
research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. For more information, visit The Ottawa Hospital
Foundation Web site at www.ohfoundation.ca.
The National Capital Race Weekend,
Canada's premier running festival, combines competition, participation
and fundraising to make a distinctive contribution to the
health of the community. The Race Weekend has over 20,000
participants in 9 races, including the ING Ottawa Marathon.
It is run by a volunteer board of directors. This year, the
Race Weekend is scheduled for the May 28-30 weekend and the
ING Ottawa Marathon will feature a one-loop course for the
first time in over 10 years.
For more information please contact:
Carl Martin
Vice-President, Communications & Marketing
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
Tel: (613) 798-5555, ext. 17840
Cell: (613) 762-3432
camartin@ottawahospital.on.ca
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