Health Care Foundation - Give from the Heart

Give from the Heart Campaign Officially Launched

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 15:11

NEWS RELEASE

Heart Patients will Benefit from a new $10 Million Fundraising Campaign

June 29, 2009 – St. John’s, NL. - Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are being urged to “Give from the Heart” to support a $10 million fundraising campaign launched today by the Health Care Foundation to support cardiac care equipment.

The Give from the Heart Capital Campaign will purchase leading-edge equipment and technology for Eastern Health’s Cardiac Care Program, which is the provincial referral centre for all cardiac surgery, and invasive cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures.

Janet Peddigrew, campaign chair, says, “Today is a milestone day for cardiac care in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Give from the Heart campaign, with the support of the people of our province, will raise $10 million over the next two years to replace existing cardiac equipment with new, advanced technology, and to add additional equipment to meet the increased demand for cardiac services. Our province has the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease in Canada, so it is critical that we have the best tools available to diagnose and treat this disease.”

The highlight of today’s launch was an announcement from the Honourable Ross Wiseman, minister of the Department of Health and Community Services, that his Government would kick-off the campaign with a $4.5 million contribution. Peddigrew says, “I am thrilled with government’s support of this essential need. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are known for their generosity and kind hearts. I feel certain that the people of our province will rise to the challenge to raise the remaining $5.5 million to ensure the best care available for the hearts of their loved ones and neighbours.”

Eastern Health’s Cardiac Care Program is one of the most utilized services in our province’s health care system. In an average year, it will perform approximately 600 surgeries, conduct more than 6,000 stress tests and 60,000 ECGs, and do more than 4,000 procedures in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (such as pacemaker implants and balloon angioplasties). It is truly a provincial program as more than 60% of its patients originate from outside the City of St. John’s.

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Media Contact

Lisa Gushue

Development Officer, Communications and Donor Stewardship

Health Care Foundation

t. 709.777.5926

email: lisa.gushue@healthcarefoundation.ca

Husky Energy Donates $500,000 to the Give from the Heart Campaign

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 15:13

MEDIA RELEASE

Husky Energy donates $500,000 to the

Give from the Heart campaign

July 14, 2009, St. John’s, NL - Mrs. Janet Peddigrew, Chair of the Give from the Heart campaign, and Vice-president BMO Newfoundland & Labrador, is pleased to announce a generous gift of $500,000 from Husky Energy to the campaign.

“Husky Energy is taking a significant leadership role in announcing a major corporate gift to the Give from the Heart campaign, said Mrs. Peddigrew. “We are delighted to have Husky Energy respond with such a considerable gift.” “Our goal is to purchase leading-edge equipment and technology for Eastern Health’s Cardiac Care Program, and Husky’s gift will help make a difference to cardiac care patients.”

Husky’s gift of $500,000 will be designated to the purchase of a new state-of-the-art electrophysiology suite.

“Health care is a key focus area for Husky’s community giving and we recognized the great demands on the cardiac care program in this province,” said John C.S. Lau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Husky Energy. “Heart health is something that touches all families, and we are pleased to play a role in improving cardiac care for people across Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease in Canada, making Eastern Health’s Cardiac Care Program one of the most utilized services in our province’s health care system. The Cardiac Catheterization Lab will, in an average year, perform more than 4000 procedures, including 2700 Cardiac Catheterizations, 800 Coronary Angioplasties, 280 Pacemaker Implants, and 100 Cardiac Defibrillators and 150 Electrophysiology Procedures.

The Give from the Heart campaign was officially launched on June 29, 2009, with a goal of raising $10 million to purchase equipment and technology for Eastern Health’s Cardiac Care Program, which is the provincial referral centre for all cardiac surgery, and invasive cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures. Husky Energy’s contribution of $500,000 is the largest major corporate gift to be received under the campaign to date.

Husky Energy is a Canadian-based integrated energy and energy-related company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Husky Energy is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol HSE.

The Health Care Foundation, formed in 2002, is the official fundraising body for the adult acute care hospitals in the greater St. John’s area. A registered charitable organization, governed by a volunteer board of directors, the Health Care Foundation raises funds to purchase vital medical equipment and technology, and funds health research and education.

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Media Contact:

Lisa Gushue

Development Officer, Communications and Donor Stewardship

Health Care Foundation

T: (709) 777.5926

E: lisa.gushue@healthcarefoundation.ca

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