Press Release: Ken Shaw To Emcee Sold-Out Gala Tonight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2011

KEN SHAW TO EMCEE SOLD-OUT GALA

Richmond Hill, ON – York Central Hospital Foundation’s 24^th annual gala is being emceed by Ken Shaw, one of Canada’s most recognized news anchors. More than 1,000 guests and volunteers are expected to attend the sold-out Moonlight & Magic themed event tonight.

“Over the past 12 months, the gala volunteers have dedicated hundreds of hours to planning this event and we’re thrilled the hard work has paid off,” said Julia Fuda, Chair of the Moonlight & Magic Gala. “We’re sincerely appreciative to everyone who has helped make the Moonlight & Magic Gala possible and we’re looking forward to our most successful event yet!”

The event is being held at Le Parc Markham tonight. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 8 p.m. Violinist Greenville Pinto will entertain guests during the cocktail hour, followed by the George St. Kitts Band. The gala features a live and silent auction and raffle with a top prize of a diamond necklace and earring set at an appraised value of $22,750. For the second consecutive year, the event’s Presenting Sponsor is Bell.

This year’s goal is to raise $600,000 towards the purchase of a standardized, state-of-the-art infusion pump system for York Central Hospital. This investment in a new pump system will increase patient safety by auto-programming medications, which in turn ensures the accurate dispensing of the right medications.  Since the pumps are programmed to dispense the correct dosages, nurses and other staff caregivers will have more time to spend with their patients allowing for increased bedside attention and education.  This extra one on-one time will help improve the overall care and patient experience at York Central Hospital.

The first Gala was held in 1988 and, since that time, the annual event has raised over $5.5 million for capital improvements and life-saving medical equipment in virtually every area of York Central Hospital. This includes a new Digital Mammography Unit for Breast Health, leading-edge surgical equipment, construction to triple the size of our Emergency Department, a state-of-the-art surgical sterilization unit and a Nuclear Medicine Camera with enhanced CT scanning abilities for York Central Hospital.   

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Media Contacts:

           

Margo Sage-Arnold                              

Manager, Special Events                      

York Central Hospital Foundation          

(905) 883-1212 ext. 7803                       

msagearnold@yorkcentral.on.ca           

Alyshia Higgins

Coordinator, Stewardship & Communications

York Central Hospital Foundation

(905) 883-1212 ext. 7810

ahiggins@yorkcentral.on.ca