2004 News Releases
For immediate release - March 17, 2004
OVER 800 ATTEND FIRST-TIME FUNDRAISER “HOPE & HEROES”
TO BENEFIT THE REHABILITATION CENTRE
(OTTAWA, ONTARIO) –Over 800 people
packed into the Westin Hotel’s Confederation Ballroom
tonight for the first-ever “HOPE & HEROES”
event, a joint fundraiser held by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
and the Ottawa Senators Alumni, to benefit The Rehabilitation
Centre.
Over the course of the evening, awards were presented by
the Ottawa Senators Alumni and The Rehabilitation Centre.
The Alumni offered scholarships to young promising individuals
and honoured hockey player Wade Redden for his community involvement.
The physical rehabilitation centre also honoured a few individuals
including The Rehabilitation Centre Achievement Award recipient
Jeff Willbond, an outpatient of the centre and a strong advocate
for persons living with disabilities.
Proceeds for tonight’s event will be approximately
$40 000. The Ottawa Senators Alumni also announced a long-term
goal of $250,000 to the centre – the most significant
commitment the Alumni has ever announced. “This fundraiser
marks the beginning of a solid partnership,” said Brad
Marsh, President of the Alumni. “With the help of The
Ottawa Hospital Foundation, we hope to make a real difference
in the lives of people with physical disabilities.”
The funds will go to patient care and the purchase of equipment.
As an example, a wheelchair can cost as much as $20,000 while
other devices like prosthetics can range from $30,000 to $40,000,
the cost of which is only partially covered in most cases.
“The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is thrilled to work
with the Ottawa Senators Alumni in helping raise awareness
and funds for The Rehabilitation Centre,” said Susan
Doyle, President and CEO of the foundation. “This centre
touches the lives of thousands in our community.”
The evening ended with a performance by Ron James (voted
Canadian comedian of the year in 2000 and a star of the Canadian
sitcoms Made in Canada and Blackfly).
“HOPE & HEROES” was made possible thanks
to the generous support of our sponsors, including our Title
sponsor Scotiabank Group.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle St-Aubin
Director, Communications & Marketing, The Ottawa Hospital
Foundation
Tel: (613) 798-5555, ext. 12972
dstaubin@ottawahospital.on.ca
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