Special Announcement - Songs of the Season

Inspirational Gift - CIBC

Some of York region’s smallest patients got a special boost from CIBC as the bank donated $25,000 to York Central Hospital Foundation in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  

The donation was presented by CIBC Wood Gundy employees at 123 Commerce Valley Drive in York Region in celebration of their 10^th anniversary serving clients in the community today.

“We’re honoured CIBC has chosen to invest in the health of people in Southwest York Region, and specifically, York Central Hospital’s smallest patients,” said Mr. Leacy. “Our new, state-of-the-art NICU is the most advanced in the region and this incredible gift will go a long way in ensuring our expert team of Neonatal specialists has the equipment they require to care for our youngest and smallest patients.”

The newly renovated and expanded unit, which opened in December, increased from six to eight care stations with the capacity to accommodate up to 13 babies. The new stations offer more space and added privacy and are equipped with an isolette and physiological monitor, intravenous pumps, bedside computer documentation systems and phototherapy units. There is also direct access from the unit to the existing Neonatal Resuscitation Unit and the Caesarean Section Operating Rooms.

"For the past decade, CIBC Wood Gundy has been delighted to serve as part of this community and we are proud to continue that commitment with this $25,000 donation along with the opening of CIBC’s Private Wealth Management branch,” said Monique Gravel, Managing Director and Head of CIBC Wood Gundy. “In addition to serving the financial needs of our clients, CIBC’s donation today is a testament to our involvement in the health and well-being of our communities, and in particular in helping to provide life-saving equipment for some of the youngest and tiniest patients across York Region.”

Last year, York Central Hospital welcomed over 2,800 babies; on average, 13% or 364 of these infants required specialized care.

“We’re truly thankful to our friends at CIBC. It is through the generosity of donors like them that we are continually able to provide funding to purchase life-saving and state-of-the-art medical equipment to treat all of the patients who walk through York Central’s doors,” said Mr. Leacy.

From L to R: Gary Whitfield, Managing Director and Head, CIBC Private Wealth Management, Monique Gravel, Managing Director and Head CIBC Wood Gundy, Ted Langdon, Vice President & Senior Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy, Dr. Gerald Friedman, Chief, Department of Paediatrics and Medical Director, Woman & Child program, York Central Hospital, Bill Leacy, President & CEO, York Central Hospital Foundation and Mark Roccatani, Associate Vice President, Greater Toronto Private Wealth Management, CIBC.

Strides for Stroke Wrap Up Article

Strides for Stroke record-breaking event for foundation

Record fundraiser. The sixth annual Richview Manor Strides for Stroke raised a record $125,000 for the York Region District Stroke Centre. Mike Cheliak Photo

York Central Hospital Foundation’s sixth annual Richview Manor Strides for Stroke 5K Run/Walk raised an all-time high of $125,000 for the York Region District Stroke Centre, exceeding its original goal of $75,000.
“There were many athletes of all abilities at Strides for Stroke, but the true winners of this event are the patients of the York Region District Stroke Centre,” said Joseph Gulizia, chair of the Strides for Stroke committee and a foundation board member.
More than 700 participants, the largest number in history, attended the May 7 event held at Richmond Green in Richmond Hill. The event included a 1K Scamper for children under 12, 1K Hip Hip Hooray race for York Central Hospital’s orthopaedic patients and 5K run/walk.
Participants enjoyed post-race massages courtesy of Hillsview Massage and Therapy Centre and walked through the health fair, which featured several local businesses and organizations. The event’s proud naming sponsor for the second year in a row was Richview Manor, a 137-bed retirement home located on Eagles Nest Golf Club. The retirement home is scheduled to open November 2011. TD Canada Trust and Freedom 55 Financial also provided outstanding support to the event again by registering corporate teams and raising $27,000 and $12,000 respectively.
“We cannot thank the sponsors, volunteers, donors and participants enough for their outstanding support and commitment to the patients of the York Region District Stroke Centre,” said Mr. Gulizia. “A lot of effort went into planning this event and we couldn’t have asked for a better result.”
Dr. Vince Basile, a neurologist and medical director of the York Region District Stroke Centre at York Central Hospital, said funds raised from the event will have a dramatic impact on patient care.
“We try to go above and beyond the standard quality of care for patients and Strides for Stroke certainly helps us in achieving that goal,” he said.
Funds raised will go towards the purchase of vital equipment and technology including computer software that will help to rapidly identify the extent of damaged brain areas affected by a stroke. Rehabilitation software purchased will help patients regain functions previously lost or damaged from stroke including speech and mobility. The funds will also help to purchase rehabilitation equipment, fund educational opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge and skills as well as increase access to care.
The centre provides the entire spectrum of stroke care from acute stroke reversal to stroke prevention and community reintegration. Last year, more than 750 patients were seen through the centre either as inpatients or outpatients.
“We have physician specialists in neurology, vascular surgery, intensive care, internal medicine and anti-coagulation, as well as speech language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists and a number of other allied health professionals that help to rehabilitate our patients,” said Dr. Basile. “We provide all of the care that is necessary to treat and prevent stroke symptoms right here at York Central Hospital.”
Dr. Basile noted that although the stroke centre often provides life-saving care and support to stroke patients and their families, there is something that patients can do to help themselves or loved ones further.
“If anyone has symptoms of a stroke, we encourage them to get to a hospital as fast as possible,” he said. “There’s a lot we can do to restore patients back to their normal function if they get to us within 4-1/2 hours from the onset of their symptoms. The faster patients get to us, the less potential there is for permanent brain damage. After this crucial time window the focus of care is rehabilitation and prevention.”

Save The Date! The seventh annual Strides for Stroke 5K Run/Walk has been booked for Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Richmond Green.

Originally published in The Liberal. Visit http://www.yorkregion.com/community/health/article/1017451--strides-for-stroke-record-breaking-event-for-foundation

Zack's Dream Room Is In The Liberal!

In addition to being featured in the Toronto Star and on CBC, Zack's Dream Room has also been showcased in our local media. Take a peek at the article below, published in the Liberal. The original link is at the bottom of the page.

• By Kim Zarzour
• Jun 06, 2011 - 11:20 AM

Boy’s spirit inspires room in pediatric ward

Fundraiser for Zack. Zack Hamilton at his favourite place, Lionel’s Farm, that will host a special event June 25 in memory of the young boy and to fundraise for hospital comforts for parents.

Whenever little Zackie Hamilton developed the hacking cough and spiking fever, his mother knew just what to do. She had it down to a routine.
First, Heather Hamilton would pack the tote bags with her essentials and his: cuddly clothes for Zack, skin creams that would bring familiar smells and his usual toddler comforters, flip flops for her so she wouldn’t have to tromp around the hospital for days in her boots, her contact lenses, toothbrushes, body spray, a journal to write in, books, magazines and her laptop.
Then she’d fill a grocery bag with Zack’s favourite toys. Next came the cooler bag with ice pack for his medications.
All this she could do in 10 minutes or less before zipping down Bathurst Street to York Central Hospital.
That’s what happens when you’re bound for hospital four times a winter for the first three years of your son’s life.
Sometimes she wished she’d never have to pack another bag for hospital again.
Now, she says, she’d give anything to pack, give anything “to stay in a crappy bed with beeping machines all night” if only it meant more time with him.
Zack passed away March 10 at the age of three-and-a-half, but his spirit lives on in the pediatric floor in the hospital where he spent so many of his days. Soon, Zack’s name will live on in a more tangible way.
The Hamilton family is planning to create a special place for families when sickness or injury brings them to the Richmond Hill hospital.
Zack’s Dream Room will be a cozy spot in the pediatric unit, a room with the comforts of home for mom or dad and the familiarity of Sesame Street’s Elmo, Zack’s favourite, for young patients.
“Nothing could mean more to us than to give back to the place that cared so much for Zack and myself during those stays in hospital,” Ms Hamilton says.
The Richmond Hill mom became a bit of a reluctant expert in hospital stays, something she never expected when she gave birth to Zack and his twin brother Jayden on Sept. 21, 2007.
As he tumbled out into the world on the heels of his slightly older twin, his parents noticed he looked a little different. His eyes were abnormal, his ears slightly slanted, fists clenched tight and body covered in bruises. Within half an hour after birth, doctors had assessed he had a heart defect and he was whisked away for special care.
They eventually learned Zack had been born with a genetic disorder causing serious health and developmental issues including a congenital heart defect and blocked pulmonary vein, seizures, global developmental delay, facial anomalies, hydrocephalus (fluid and a cyst in his brain), low muscle tone, reflux, bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss and an inability to drink liquids.
They were told their son would likely not walk, might not talk, might not ever eat without feeding tubes. They were told he might never survive.
Zack’s life became one hurdle, and miracle, after the next as he fought to maintain his precarious hold on life, but when he got his G-tube, a medical device used to provide nutrition, he seemed to turn the corner.
Suddenly his eyes lit with energy, he was mobile, alert, and last November he learned to walk.
All day long he toddled back and forth through the house, humming, babbling and giggling, climbing on furniture, pulling books off shelves, playing his drums and raiding the Fruit Loops box in the kitchen cupboard.
Sure, he was sick a lot and spent much of every winter on antibiotics in York Central’s pediatric unit, (the staff in the Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic loved visiting their favorite “frequent flyer”), but in between, times were good.
He even managed, one day, to feed himself “real” food — a cheesie. Heather remembers sitting on the kitchen floor with him, watching him bring the orange crumbliness to his mouth and the tears pouring down her face in gratitude.
Last summer, she watched him turn into a “real big boy” at Lionel’s Farm in Stouffville, climbing out of his stroller to stand on his own, gripping the wire fence as he pet the animals alongside his brothers. The family returned to the farm weekly after that, celebrating Zack’s growing independence with photographs and smiles.
However, pneumonia and flu brought Zack to the hospital again in March, where he died of lack of oxygen to the brain during cardiac arrest.
Lionel’s Farm provided the horse-and-buggy hearse to carry Zack’s body to his final resting place. The farm will also be the venue this month for a big fundraising event to help raise money in his name for York Central Hospital.
“The farm was such an important part of their family and his life, as short as it was,” says manager Blair Purcell who has donated the facility for the day.
“When you’ve given pleasure to someone it can be so gratifying and meaningful. It is humbling and you want to help back.”
Zack’s Family Dream Day, set for Saturday, June 25, was to be the major fundraiser for the Hamiltons’ drive to make a comfortable home-away-from-home for families at York Central, but within two months of setting up the charity they’d already met their $25,000 goal. Now, they’re aiming higher, hoping to renovate several rooms on the fifth floor as well.
There will be sleeper chairs for parents, a coffee maker, CDs and DVDs, child’s potty and an arts and crafts table with colouring books and puzzles, comfy footware for parents, snacks, books and magazines — the kinds of things most parents, frantically rushing out the door with a sick child, forget to pack.
The rooms will be redecorated and equipped with new cribs less “clattery and scary” than the current metal ones, she says.
She also hopes to organize volunteer meal-tray delivery to worried parents “because it’s a long way from the fifth floor to the cafeteria and you really don’t want to leave your child alone”.
These are all lessons her time with Zack taught her. But Heather Hamilton says her son taught her much more in his short life. With all the medical turmoil and bad news doctors heaped on him, Zack never let his troubles become who he was.
“He was a happy, happy kid in spite of everything. He showed me obstacles don’t have to be a way of life. When tragedy strikes, you can move on.”
Each new challenge was a stepping stone for Zack and until the last moment he was fighting.  “That was the big lesson to me. You don’t have to live in those bad moments. You can focus on today and it can be beautiful.”

Inspirational Gifts - NICU Donors

Today York Central Hospital Foundation hosted the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Recognition Celebration in honour of our fantastic donors.

The event took place in the Berwick Family Auditorium at York Central. Donors enjoyed presentations by Hospital President & CEO Altaf Stationwala, Woman & Child Program Operations Director Sally Rogers, Neonatologist Dr. David Gryn, Patient Family Member Rina Lamba, Foundation President & CEO Bill Leacy and Foundation Chair Dr. Nicholas Voudouris.

Rina Lamba shared the heartwarming story of her newest addition's health concerns and demonstrated how the NICU was there for her and her family when they needed it the most. She also spoke of her experiences with her first child who required the services of York Central's old NICU four years ago.

"We are blessed with another child, JAIAN, our first, who is now 4 years.  He was also born in this hospital and because he was two months premature, he spent 6 weeks in the old NICU.  JAIAN got great care there too, but to see the new facility that is more spacious, brighter and with all the most up to date technology --- the rocking chairs are fabulous – all of this inspires a comfortable and confident environment for any new mother."

Dr. Voudouris thanked the donors who attended and presented them with cards. Peter Miller and Stephen Forman, owners of several McDonald's restaurants in the area, presented a cheque to Foundation staff for the proceeds from McHappy Day 2011 which were designated to the NICU.

After the presentations and speeches, Dr. David Gryn toured donors through the new unit so they could see firsthand the remarkable impact their gifts are having on patient care. Donors also had their photos taken by the NICU sign and were served refreshments in the Berwick.

Thank you to each and every one of our donors for your incredible support and generosity in funding this vital project:

Casino and Hold’em Poker Event 2009

Casino and Hold’em Poker Event 2010

CIBC Wood Gundy

Fabrizio and Nicole Cortellucci Family

Nancy Coxford

Fieldgate Developments

Manuel Fiuza and Vilma Cortellucci-Fiuza Family

G & L Group – Joe and Lucy Lamanna

Great-West Life Assurance Company

Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat Of Toronto

J.P. Bickell Foundation

Rose Mary Tomei-Kehren and Bill Kehren
Carl George Klees

Francis Verena Klees

Shirley Eleanor Klees

William John Klees

Wm. J. Klees & Son Ltd.

The Marin/Alves Family

McDonalds Restaurants - Stephen Forman

McDonalds Restaurants - Peter Miller

Elson and Joyce Miles

Montesano Family/Primont Homes

Fausto and Silvana Palombo and Family

Proud Partners Golf Classic 2010

Vincenzo Pulla’s 80th Birthday

r.a.p.t. in health luncheon 2011

Richmond Hill Christian Community Church

Ross and Nicole Ferrier and Family

The Schad Foundation

Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life Campaign

Marita Simbul-Lezon

TACC Construction Co. Ltd.

The Volunteer Association of York Central Hospital

ZZEN Group of Companies Limited

Your gifts are helping to ensure York Region’s smallest patients have the equipment and facilities they require to receive expert and compassionate care close to their homes.  

For more photos from the event, check out our Facebook page.

Press Release - Strides for Stroke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stroke Patients "Win" At Record-Breaking Annual Run

Richmond Hill, ON

"There were many athletes of all abilities at this event, but the patients of the York Region District Stroke Centre are the true winners. Because the run/walk was so successful, the Stroke Centre will be able to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology that will ultimately help to improve patient care," said Joseph Gulizia, Chair of the Strides for Stroke committee and a Foundation Board Member.

More than 700 participants of all ages, including York Central Hospital President & CEO Altaf Stationwala, Board of Trustees Chair Dina Palozzi, Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow and MPP Reza Moridi attended the May 7 event held at Richmond Green in Richmond Hill. The event included a 1K Scamper/Hip Hip Hooray race and 5K run/walk. Each participant who completed the races received a finisher’s medal, courtesy of Pizzaville.

Prizes were also awarded in several categories including top male and female runners and top pledge earners for both teams and individuals. Participants enjoyed post-race massages courtesy of Hillsview Massage and Therapy Centre and walked through the Health Fair, which featured several local businesses and organizations. Special thanks to the Naming Sponsor Richview Manor, a 137-bed Retirement Home, located on Eagles Nest Golf Club.

"We cannot thank the sponsors, volunteers, donors and participants enough for their outstanding support and commitment to the patients of the York Region District Stroke Centre," said Mr. Gulizia. "A lot of effort went into planning this event and we couldn’t have asked for a better result."

Since 2006, York Central Hospital Foundation’s annual run/walk has raised over $470,000, for York Central Hospital. This includes a new Digital Mammography Unit for the Breast Health Centre, leading-edge surgical equipment and construction to triple the size of our Emergency Department.

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Contact:
Margo Sage-Arnold
Manager, Special Events
York Central Hospital Foundation
(905) 883-1212 ext. 7803
msagearnold@yorkcentral.on.ca

Jaimie Shen
Special Events Coordinator
York Central Hospital Foundation
(905) 883-1212 ext. 7807
jshen@yorkcentral.on.ca– York Central Hospital Foundation’s 6th annual Richview Manor Strides for Stroke 5K Run/Walk event has raised a record $125,000 for the York Region District Stroke Centre, exceeding its original goal of $75,000.

May 13, 2011

Nat'l Nursing Week - Thank You To All of YCH's Dedicated Nursing Staff!