BC Children's Hospital Foundation announces The Search for a Super Community
winner

VANCOUVER , Oct. 27 /CNW/ - The Eagle Point townhome complex in Port Moody was named a Super Community by BC Children's Hospital Foundation. The Search for a Super Community program was launched on September 21 on Global BC TV.

BC Children's Hospital Foundation asked communities to show their passion, spirit and creativity to help raise funds and awareness for a new BC Children's Hospital. "We are overwhelmed with the inspiring submissions made by all the communities that registered," said Sue Carruthers , president and CEO of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. "It was an exceptionally difficult decision. The Eagle Point community is an extraordinary example of the true meaning of community. The spirit, support and love they have provided each other over the years in the face of great challenge is remarkable."

Super Community judges agreed that Eagle Point exemplified the best of what a community can be: coming together during times of adversity. In the past 10 years, several children from this community have had serious health issues and have been treated at BC Children's Hospital. The most difficult time for this community came in the fall of 2007, when three children, all neighbours, were fighting for their lives at BC Children's Hospital.

"That was a time when the complex really came together like a family, and did whatever they could to help these families get through a crisis," says Colin Wood from Eagle Point. "We felt a need to take care of our friends and neighbours while they put their energy, emotion and life into caring for their children."

This community also comes together annually for Childhood Cancer Soccerfest: Kick for a Cure, a soccer fundraising event started by Eagle Point resident Nuvin Runghen. Runghen's son, Dominic, fought leukemia in 2007, and he, along with six other children who have battled cancer in the complex, was the inspiration for the event.

BC Children's Hospital Foundation's first 'Search for a Super Community' program also recognized a number of other participants.

Alex Suter , age 13, was chosen as the 'Super Kid' for 2009/10. Alex was nominated by Suzanne Dunbar , whose son Quinn passed away after battling cancer in December of 2008. Alex was a great friend to Quinn during his short life and helped to raise funds for the family and their transportation needs. After Quinn passed away she took the initiative to make stuffed bears for oncology patients. Her goal was to make 15-20 bears and she raised enough to make 78 bears. She also wrote a poem about Quinn when her class was learning about heroes and has stayed in touch with the family. Through her actions she has set an example for other young people.

    
    Other Winners:

    Best School Spirit: Muriel Mould Primary School, Burns Lake, BC
    Best Community Picture: The Grade 2/3 class at Errington Elementary
    School, Errington, BC
    Top Fundraising Community: Vernon 10 x 10, Vernon, BC
    

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.

Construction of the new Children's Hospital will provide urgently needed space for critical care. For example, the current operating rooms are antiquated and do not have adequate space to accommodate the high tech equipment required for complex surgical procedures. Patient rooms in the existing hospital were not built to accommodate family members or provide the healing environment children need for quicker recovery.

BC Children's Hospital Foundation launched the Campaign for BC Children exactly one year ago, when 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 $82 million to date toward the $200-million campaign.

For further information: Stephen Forgacs, Communications, Tel. [phone], Cell [phone], 1-888-663-3033, [email protected], www.bcchf.ca; Alex Mitchell, Communications, Tel. [phone] ext. 5458, Cell [phone], 1-888-663-3033, [email protected], www.bcchf.ca