Launch of the "Wings of Courage" program with Air Canada pilots
MONTREAL, May 17, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Canada and the Air Canada Foundation are proud to inaugurate the Air Canada Foundation's Patient Lounge today and to announce the launch of the Air Canada Foundation's "Wings of Courage" program. Starting in September, Air Canada pilots will participate in activities with children and present them with certificates and medals in recognition of their bravery in their fight against illness.
In addition to putting a smile on youngsters' faces, the Air Canada Foundation's Patient Lounge was designed to reduce stress during waiting time before, during or after a medical appointment. Equipped with two Starlight Foundation gaming consoles, this lounge is a family-oriented space. With a variety of toys, games and activities geared to different ages, this playroom, supervised by our child care specialists and our volunteers, will provide a safe and fun environment for ambulatory patients. Located next to the main waiting room, this space will also help ease the pressure on parents who often have to travel with the patient's brothers and sisters for an appointment.
"We are very fortunate to be able to count on the Air Canada Foundation as a partner. They made a generous $250,000 donation for the construction of the hospital and for the brand-new patient lounge during the Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids campaign," says Bill Miller, Chair of the hospital's Board of Governors. "This donation enhances and supports Shriners' efforts to bring patients from all communities of Canada to the hospital, with Shriners ensuring the logistics with the hospital team and driving patients to and from airports. It's great to be able to count on all these partners working in unison to help families in need."
Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation, said "As the heath and well-being of children is the cause closest to our hearts, the Air Canada Foundation has had a proud and longstanding partnership with the Shriners Hospital for Children. The Hospital's impeccable reputation for transforming children's lives by providing exceptional healthcare in a patient and family centered environment aligns perfectly with our Foundation's goal of helping connect sick children to the medical care they need. On the occasion of today's inauguration of the Air Canada Foundation Patient Lounge we salute the team at Shriners Hospital for Children for their dedication and care of exceptional children."
At the inauguration, young patients, who took advantage of the Air Canada Foundation's hospital transportation program, took a few moments to express their gratitude. Every year the Air Canada Foundation's hospital transportation program allows our young patients to receive medical care not available in their community. The absence of transportation costs for some of these trips provides families with peace of mind while allowing them to focus on the health and well-being of the child.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children ─ Canada
Established in Montreal in 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada is the only Canadian establishment within the network of 22 Shriners hospitals. This bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital provides ultra-specialized orthopaedic care to children from coast to coast in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The mission of the hospital is to promote health and provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), club feet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy.
The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education and to ensuring patients and their families are treated in a caring, family-friendly environment. Affiliated with McGill University, the hospital provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals within its outstanding new facility on the Glen site. The hospital is present in communities across Canada, thanks to telemedicine, outreach clinics and satellite clinics. Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada has been helping kids reach their full potential for 90 years and counting.
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About the Air Canada Foundation
Established in 2012, the Air Canada Foundation is a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth. It provides financial support and in-kind assistance, including airline tickets, to registered Canadian charities. The Foundation developed and manages a number of programs and initiatives including the Hospital Transportation Program, which allows 15 Canadian pediatric hospitals to cover the cost of transporting children who need medical treatment that is not available in their communities. For more information on the Air Canada Foundation visit www.aircanada.com/foundation or visit the Corporate Sustainability Report 2015: Citizens of the world on-line at www.aircanada.com/Foundation/Citizensoftheworld.
SOURCE Shriners Hospitals For Children
Source : Laure Moureaux, Communications Officer, 514-282-7222, [email protected]; Information : Emmanuelle Rondeau, Communications and Marketing Manager, 514-282-6990, [email protected]; Isabelle Arthur, Manager, Media Relations; Manager, Air Canada Foundation, 514.422.5788, [email protected]
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