VANCOUVER, June 5, 2016 /CNW/ - BC Children's Hospital Foundation raised a record $20,018,608 for BC Children's Hospital during the 29th annual Miracle Weekend, hosted by Global BC on June 4-5. Miracle Weekend events have raised $280 million for the hospital since the first Miracle Weekend was held in 1988.
Save-On-Foods was recognized as the largest Miracle Weekend contributor, bringing in over $3.1 million. The retail sector, one of many industry groups participating, made the largest contribution from a business group in the 29-year history of Miracle Weekend: $7.2 million.
"Every single gift made to BC Children's Hospital has an impact on thousands of lives," said Allen Bordeleau, BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend chair. "As donors and volunteers, it is great to see the province of BC come together to support BC Children's Hospital and ensure every child has access to the very best in specialized care"
The 11-hour Miracle Weekend telethon was broadcast on Global BC – ending with the announcement of the total at 5:30 pm on Sunday. The Chinese-Canadian telethon and radiothon, airing on Fairchild TV, CHMB AM1320 and Fairchild Radio AM1470 on June 4, contributed $718,000 to the total.
"People from across the province have given generously because they know how important it is to have access to the care and research that only BC Children's Hospital can provide," said Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. "When a child is sick or injured it affects entire communities and, once again, BC's communities have shown they care."
Miracle Weekend is the culmination of fundraising efforts throughout the year by literally hundreds of diverse groups. Events include everything from school fundraisers to golf tournaments to in-store customer campaigns. The hospital receives support from employee groups in financial services, retail, mining, technology, professional associations, construction and real estate, hospitality and restaurants, and others, and members of Children's Hospital's employee family. Annual events, such as Jeans DayTM, Slo-Pitch, RBC Run for the Kids, and the 98.5 The OCEAN (Victoria) radiothon contributed to the total.
Donations to Miracle Weekend are used to support the purchase of life-saving equipment, research into the treatment, prevention and cure of childhood diseases, recruitment and educational programs for caregivers, and programs in communities throughout the province.
About BC Children's Hospital
BC Children's Hospital is the province's only full-service acute-care hospital dedicated to serving close to one million children living in BC and the Yukon. All children who are seriously ill or injured are referred to Children's Hospital and are either treated at the hospital facility in Vancouver or, with consultation from Children's specialists, in their home community. Last year, more than 84,000 children were treated at Children's Hospital. Funds raised by the foundation are used to support BC Children's Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and the Child & Family Research Institute. For more information visit www.bcchf.ca and follow @BCCHF on Twitter.
SOURCE BC Children's Hospital Foundation
Image with caption: "29th annual Miracle Weekend brings in record setting $20 million for BC Children's Hospital (CNW Group/BC Children's Hospital Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160606_C2324_PHOTO_EN_706435.jpg
Joanne Turner, BC Children's Hospital Foundation, 604.875.2321 Mobile: 604.626.6278, E-mail: [email protected]
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