BC Children's Hospital Campaign passes $100-million mark

Philanthropist and Chinese-Canadian Community pledge millions to help BC's kids

VANCOUVER , Dec. 3 /CNW/ - Two multi-million dollar gifts boosted BC Children's Hospital Foundation's $200-million Campaign for BC Children past the halfway mark, Campaign Chair Don Lindsay announced December 3 at the foundation's 23rd annual Crystal Ball . Mr. Lindsay , CEO of Teck Resources Limited, added that the estimated revenue from the ball helped push the campaign total over $100 million .

"Campaign momentum is strong," said Mr. Lindsay . "Thousands of British Columbians have made contributions to support the construction of a new BC Children's Hospital and improved access to specialized pediatric care for children across the province. The gifts we're announcing today, from Dr. Djavad Mowafaghian and the Chinese-Canadian community, reflect the nature of support we've received - from concerned individuals and community groups."

Dr. Mowafaghian , already the BC Children's Hospital's single largest individual donor, built on the $6-million gift he made in late 2004 with a $4-million gift to the campaign. The Chinese-Canadian community in BC has supported the hospital for over two decades, and pledged $5 million to the hospital, including $2.6 million to the campaign and $2.4 million to help meet the hospital's urgent needs.

About BC Children's Hospital

BC Children's Hospital is the province's only full-service acute care hospital and serves the 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 72,000 children were treated at Children's Hospital. BC Children's Hospital Foundation received donations from more than 120,000 people last year and had revenues of over $61.3 million . 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.

About the Campaign for BC Children

Priorities of the Campaign for BC Children include construction of a new hospital - including an Emergency Department, Diagnostics and Imaging, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Operating Suites and patient rooms; the relocation of childhood development and rehabilitation services from Sunny Hill Health Centre in East Vancouver to the Oak Street home of BC Children's, and Child Health BC, a BC Children's Hospital initiative that is building pediatric care capacity throughout the province.

BC Children's Hospital Foundation launched the Campaign for BC Children in April 2008 . At that time Premier Gordon Campbell announced provincial government support for the plan to rebuild the hospital and relocate Sunny Hill . To date, BC Children's Hospital Foundation has received campaign donations from thousands of British Columbians in 223 BC communities. The community has contributed in excess of $100 million to date toward the $200-million campaign.

For further information: Debora Sweeney, VP, Communications, Tel. [phone], Cell [phone], 1-888-663-3033, [email protected]; Stephen Forgacs, Director, Communications, Tel. [phone], Cell [phone], 1-888-663-3033, [email protected]