Inspirational Gift - Andrea Tang

For the second year in a year, Andrea Tang has shown she has a heart of gold.

The 17-year-old recently celebrated her birthday and in lieu of gifts, asked friends and family to help her raise money for the John & Josie Watson Breast Health Centre at York Central Hospital.

Andrea started donating her birthday proceeds to YCH last year to show her support for the care her mother received at the hospital.

This year, Andrea donated $800 to the hospital. This, combined with last year's donation totals $1,500. Happy birthday Andrea, and thank you for Caring to make a difference!

(PHOTO: left to right - Wendy McInnis, Technical Specialist – Mammography, Andrea Tang, 17 and Cindy Draycott, Operations Director Diagnostic Services & Clinical Support. )

Media Release - Fundraising Event Exceeds Goal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2011

Biennial Event Exceeds Fundraising Goal

Richmond Hill, ON– York Central Hospital Foundation’s second r.a.p.t. in health luncheon raised $150,000 net, exceeding its original fundraising goal.

“The event completely exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Margo Sage-Arnold, Manager, Special Events at the foundation. “Our first luncheon in 2009 raised $50,000, and we were hoping to double it with this event, so we’re incredibly pleased.”

More than 400 guests, mainly women, attended the event held on March 4 at Le Parc Concord. Guests participated in raffle draws, received door prizes and were entertained by Yani and the Clave Kings who got the crowd up and dancing. Guests also enjoyed a delicious healthy lunch, followed by a chocolate pairing demonstration for dessert.  In appreciation for attending the event, each guest received a gift bag with numerous products donated by generous companies and individuals.

Keynote speakers included Honorary Chair Beverly Thomson. Ms. Thomson is Co-host of CTV Canada AM. Dr. Bryce Wylde, one of Canada’s leading alternative health experts, also spoke about nutrition and healthy eating.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of the community, donors, generous sponsors and of course, our r.a.p.t. in health committee members,” said Ms. Sage-Arnold. “Co-chairs Vilma Cortellucci-Fiuza and Lee Zanetti provided incredible leadership and helped make this event a tremendous success.”

The funds raised will go towards equipping York Central Hospital’s newly renovated and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The state-of-the-art unit was opened on December 14 and will eventually have the capacity to care for twice as many patients as the old unit.

The first r.a.p.t. in health luncheon was held in 2009 and since than, has raised over $200,000 for priority projects including the John and Josie Watson Breast Health Centre and the NICU.

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Contact:            Margo Sage-Arnold

Manager, Special Events

York Central Hospital Foundation

(905) 883-2032

msagearnold@yorkcentral.on.ca

President's Corner - RHCOC Awards

Last night was an evening of accomplishments, celebrations and recognition.

The 20^th Annual Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards were held at the Sheraton Convention Centre and eight local businesses received recognition for their hard work, dedication and commitment over the past year.

Being recognized by your peers for your hard work, dedication and service excellence is an outstanding accomplishment and I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to attend.

Winners of the prestigious awards were as follows:

General Award:
Gordon Wood Optical
Mister Transmission (International) Limited
Reggio Kids
Richmond Hill Toyota
Costco Wholesale Richmond Hill

Non Profit Award
Yellow Brick House

PowerStream Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Award
Toronto Recycling Inc.   

Mayor’s Award
PCI Geomatics Enterprises Inc.

It was inspiring to see the awards given out and to hear speeches from the CEOs, owners and employees of each company. In Richmond Hill, our economy is thriving and prosperous and it is because of business owners and employees like the ones who attended last night.

Congratulations to all of the award winners!

Wishing you the best of health,

Bill Leacy
President & CEO

President's Corner - Board Retreat

An organization is only as strong as its weakest link, or so the old adage goes. If this is the case, York Central Hospital Foundation’s future has never looked stronger or brighter.

Recently, we hosted a Board Retreat in the Berwick Family Auditorium. The event’s title was “Becoming a High Performance Board” and focused on how to improve upon past successes while obtaining future goals.

The evening opened with a presentation from York Central Hospital President & CEO Altaf Stationwala about the future of health care in Southwest York Region.

Board Members then enjoyed a presentation focusing on fundraising trends as well as comparables for local organizations. A discussion was initiated about moving forward as a collective, accountable group and how each Board Member can become increasingly involved in the Foundation.

The questions raised by Board Members were thought-provoking and their feedback will be invaluable in helping us reach our goals both now and in the future.

Having an engaged and dedicated Board of Directors is crucial to our success. As members of our growing community, you can rest assured each and every Board Member is committed to raising funds for medical technology that will improve health care for you and your family.

The retreat renewed my optimism and belief for the future, and I hope it did the same for you. With your support and our Board of Directors committed to achieving our goals, we’re well on our way to helping York Central Hospital “become the finest community hospital in Canada.”

Wishing you the best of health,

Bill Leacy

President & CEO

Media Advisory - r.a.p.t. in health luncheon

 For Immediate Release:

Media Advisory

BEVERLY THOMSON AND DR. BRYCE WYLDE TO SPEAK AT YORK CENTRAL FUNDRAISER

Richmond Hill, ON – The second r.a.p.t in health luncheon, to be held March 4, 2011, will include guest speakers Beverly Thomson, co-host Canada AM and honorary co-chair of the event and Dr. Bryce Wylde, a leading Canadian alternative health expert and a recent guest on the Dr. Oz show. The event will also feature entertainment by Yani and The Clave King, gift bags, raffles and door prizes.

All proceeds from the r.a.p.t in health luncheon will go towards equipping York Central Hospital’s newly renovated and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The state-of-the-art unit was opened on December 14 and has increased the hospital’s capacity to provide specialized care for those babies that require extra attention after birth. Last year, the Hospital welcomed over 2,800 babies; on average, 13% or 364 of these infants required specialized care.

Who:                Ms. Beverly Thomson and Dr. Bryce Wylde

What:               Second biennial r.a.p.t in health luncheon for York Central’s NICU

Where:              Le Parc Concord

20 North Rivermede Road

Concord, ON L4K 2H2

When:               Friday, March 4, 2011

Time:                Registration: 9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Keynote Speakers: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Lunch and entertainment: 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Photo opportunities will be available during and after the event.

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Media contacts:

Margo Sage-Arnold                                         Jaimie Shen

Manager, Special Events                                    Special Events Coordinator

York Central Hospital Foundation                        York Central Hospital Foundation

Tel: (905) 883-1212 ext. 7803                              Tel: (905) 883-1212 ext. 7807

E-mail: msagearnold@yorkcentral.on.ca              E-mail: jshen@yorkcentral.on.ca

Inspirational Gift - Richmond Hill Christian Community Church

The Richmond Hill Christian Community Church recently chose York Central Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as the beneficiary of their holiday charity drive. Over the course of the holidays, members of the congregation generously gave more than $19,000 towards this priority project.

The NICU was opened on December 14, 2010 and will eventually have the capacity to care for twice as many of our tiniest and most vulnerable babies as the old unit. Each spacious care station is designed and equipped specifically for infants needing special care and includes an isolette and physiological monitor, intravenous pumps, a bedside computer documentation system and phototherapy units.

The new NICU has the appropriate space and design to more easily accommodate life-saving equipment and greater flexibility to deal with emergency situations. Ultimately, this leads to improved development for babies with challenges at birth and allows families in our community to take their babies home sooner.

Their donation is the largest the Foundation has ever received from a church and we are incredibly honoured for their generous gift.

Thank you to everyone at the Richmond Hill Christian Community Church for inspiring us this past holiday season!

York Central – YOUR Community Hospital

For more than 47 years, York Central Hospital has been a provider of increasingly progressive and innovative health care services to you, our community. 

Last year, our Emergency Department saw 80,000 patient visits – for reference, that’s more than Mount Sinai and Toronto General’s Emergency Department visits combined!

The hospital is home to several specialized services including the York Region District Stroke Centre, York Region Chronic Kidney Disease Program, York Region and Simcoe County Behaviour Management Services, Central East Autism Services for York Region as well as the York Region Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Care Centre.

Staff help welcome 2,800 babies into the community each year – your nieces, nephews, neighbours, daughters, sons and grandchildren.

When your child requires stitches after a playground fall, it’s our Emergency Department you’ll visit. When your mother or father requires knee or hip replacement surgery, the hospital’s dedicated surgeons and staff will provide the expert and compassionate care they need to recover and get back home.

Patient scores in the Palliative Care and Chronic Kidney Disease Program are exceptional. We’re a provincial leader in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for colon cancer, and are positioning to become an MIS Centre of Excellence.

Through your incredible generosity and dedication, we completed the largest redevelopment and expansion in our history. At York Central Hospital Foundation, we’ve been proud to partner with you to enhance health care in our community.  

York Central isn’t just any community hospital, it’s YOUR community hospital. Email me today to find out how you can become involved and help us ensure our future is as bright as our history.

Sincerely yours,

Alyshia

Stewardship & Communications Coordinator