BC GOVERNMENT GIVES GO-AHEAD TO CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

VANCOUVER, Sept. 13 /CNW/ - The first phase in the construction of a new BC Children's Hospital is about to get underway, benefiting children and their families across British Columbia, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

"Nobody wants to see their child get sick or hurt, but further enhancing this world-class facility means families will have the best care possible right in our home province," said Premier Campbell. "Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children, and this project ensures these resources will be around for our children and grandchildren for decades to come."

BC Children's Hospital Foundation is raising $200 million through the Campaign for BC Children, with $150 million going towards the new Children's Hospital and $50 million towards Child Health BC, a BC Children's Hospital initiative that is building pediatric care capacity throughout the province.

"Thanks to the outpouring of support we've seen from thousands of British Columbians, we are making steady progress towards the Campaign for BC Children's $200-million goal," said Don Lindsay, BC Children's Hospital Foundation's campaign chair, and president and CEO of Teck Resources Limited. "Building a new BC Children's Hospital is a major undertaking and couldn't be accomplished without strong partnerships with communities and organizations across BC."

To date, BC Children's Hospital Foundation has received campaign donations from thousands of British Columbians in over 220 BC communities. The community has contributed $115 million to date toward the campaign goal. Lead benefactors include Teck Resources Limited, which has pledged $25 million, and the Overwaitea Food Group, which has pledged $20 million to Child Health BC.

The construction of the new BC Children's Hospital will be accompanied by an expansion of BC Women's Hospital and will be completed in three phases, with phase one beginning immediately.

First phase work at BC Children's Hospital and the Shaughnessy building on site also includes:

• site preparations for the new hospital;
• construction of a brand new clinical support building and free-standing child day care centre;
• additional space for the UBC medical school;
• addition of three new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit beds.

Phase One is expected to cost $90.5 million.

The second and third phases of the project will include the building of the new BC Children's Hospital and renovations and expansion of BC Women's Hospital. The total project cost for all phases, including the new space for UBC's medical school and the Women's Hospital expansion, must still be finalized, but is estimated to be approximately $682 million.

The Campaign for BC Children is calling on British Columbians to "Be a Superhero" for BC's children by making a donation to the campaign. Donations can be made online at www.beasuperhero.ca. More information on the campaign and its priorities is available at www.beasuperhero.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 area, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, operating suite 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.

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.

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.

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