William Osler Health System reaches historic fundraising goal; surpasses $122
million mark

BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - William Osler Health System's largest and most comprehensive fundraising campaign concluded on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Embassy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton. The success of the Here for you... caring for you Community Campaign was officially announced during William Osler Health System Foundation's annual Somewhere in Time Benefit Evening.

The campaign was publicly launched in June 2006 . With a goal of raising $120 million for capital and equipment needs at Osler's hospitals, the campaign set the most ambitious target for any community hospital in Canada and was the largest ever for the Region of Peel.

A total of $122,864,964 was raised, made possible by over 187,000 gifts from almost 40,000 generous donors from within the community. In Brampton alone, 13.5% of all households made a gift to the campaign.

The campaign was initiated by significant contributions from the Region of Peel and the Chinguacousy Health Services Board. Lois and the late Maxwell Rice made the first transformational $1 million gift, inspiring a series of key donations to help reach the goal, including commitments from Borealis, Carillion and EllisDon Construction, CIBC, Graham Munro Charitable Foundation, RBC Foundation, the Troost family, and Osler's Volunteer Association. A $10 million gift from Metrus Development Inc. made headlines when the DeGasperis and Muzzo families celebrated the donation at Brampton Civic Hospital in November 2008 .

"We are grateful for the combination of support from individuals, volunteers, foundations, businesses, corporations, and local community groups," Anne Randell , Osler Foundation President & CEO says. "Every donation from $10 to $10 million has and will improve community health care in substantial and important ways."

Ken White , Supervisor, William Osler Health System, is elated with the results of the campaign, stating, "On behalf of our Board of Directors, I offer my deepest gratitude to the people of our communities for supporting this campaign and our health care system."

Truly a community effort, the campaign featured 324 community fundraising events. Of tremendous significance, Mayor Susan Fennell 's $1 million commitment through her annual golf tournament inspired parallel giving from Ken Cheung who stepped up to the "Match the Mayor" challenge. The Foundation's Signature Events, which include galas, golf tournaments and walks, were well attended and supported throughout the run of the campaign.

Hon. Deborah Matthews , Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, attended the Benefit Evening and congratulated the hospital in terms of both fundraising and the care that it provides to a growing community. "It is extraordinary to see this kind of financial support for the largest ever community hospital campaign in Ontario history," the MPP for London North Centre noted.

    
    Here for you... caring for you Community Campaign at a glance:

    -   Launched in June 2006
    -   Total of $122,864,964 raised
    -   Over 187,000 donations received
    -   Nearly 40,000 donors to campaign
    -   13.5% of Brampton households contributed
    -   Largest ever fundraising campaign by a community hospital in Canada
    

ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM:

William Osler Health System is home to Canada's premier community hospitals - Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General and Peel Memorial (under redevelopment) - and serves nearly one million residents of the communities of Brampton, Etobicoke, Malton, Caledon and surrounding areas. Osler's emergency departments are among the busiest in Ontario and its labour and delivery program is one of the largest in Canada . Visit www.williamoslerhs.ca.

ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION:

William Osler Health System Foundation fosters relationships in order to raise funds to support William Osler Health System's capital, education and research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and Peel Memorial Hospital. The Foundation seeks to create a healthier community through philanthropy. Visit www.oslerfoundation.org.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: Photos accompanying this release are available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Jody Belford, Manager, Marketing & Communications, William Osler Health System Foundation, [phone], [email protected]