BC Children's Hospital raises over $1 million at 24th Annual Crystal Ball

Scotiabank gift makes it a $2-million night and pushes new hospital campaign past $120 million

VANCOUVER, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - Guests at BC Children's Hospital Foundation's black-tie gala, the 24^th annual Crystal Ball, chaired by Diane Norton, helped raise over $1 million for the Campaign for BC Children December 2. As the gala got underway in Vancouver's Four Seasons Hotel, Scotiabank gave the Foundation another boost, announcing on Global BC TV a $1-million donation (in addition to the gala funds) that pushed the total raised in the $200-million campaign to over $120 million.

"BC's children and our communities have long been a priority for Scotiabank," said Mr. Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank's vice-president, Downtown Vancouver and Northern BC District. "Scotiabank and its employees are keen to do everything we can to see that BC's children and families have access to the best possible pediatric care, today and in the future."

BC Children's Hospital Foundation Chair Kevin Bent, executive vice-president, Western Canada, Postmedia Network Inc., said Scotiabank's gift and the success of the Crystal Ball reflect the high level of community support for BC Children's Hospital. "Our friends in the community know that we are doing more than simply building a new facility," he said. "We're taking this opportunity to raise the bar for the delivery of pediatric care in Canada, and British Columbian's have shown us how much this means to them. We're grateful for this tremendous support."

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 78,000 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 $56.4 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. For more information, visit www.bcchf.ca.

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 $120 million to date toward the $200-million campaign.

For further information: