Volunteers fundraising buys new Sentinel Node Biopsy machine

Rouge Valley Centenary hospital (RVC) Volunteer Services recently presented a donation of $85,000 to the Surgical and Oncology program at RVC, to purchase a new Sentinel Node Biopsy Machine. 

The Surgical and Oncology teams have one machine currently, but were in dire need of a second for the last two years. The second machine allows for more procedures in a timely manner, instead of scheduling around availability. Multiple physicians can make use of it with a dedicated Operating Room where it will be located.
The primary use of this equipment is for breast cancer patients to determine the progression of the disease. Where the doctor knows the patient has breast cancer, they need to know if it has spread.  Due to the fact sterilization time between cases is long, the second machine also allows more procedures to be done each day.  And, this unit will have more advanced wireless technology than the current machine.

Sentinel Node Biopsy Equipment is cancer staging technology that is crucial for patient care, and utilizes minimally-invasive surgery. Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node before spreading to other lymph nodes and other places in the body.  By mapping the Sentinel Lymph Nodes using dyes and radioactive substances, medical staff can identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from a primary tumor.

Standard lymph node removal involves surgery to remove most of the lymph nodes in the axilla. But by using Sentinel Lymph Node biopsies, only one or a few sentinel nodes are removed. A Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy may be done on an outpatient basis or require only a short stay in the hospital.
 
Dr. Tracey Asano was on hand for the presentation on April 15 from the volunteers and thanked the group as well as described how the equipment is used.
 
These dedicated volunteers in addition to their service duties, also fundraise for Rouge Valley Centenary hospital for priority equipment needs. This past year they have supported the Buy a Bed campaign by being the lead gift, raising funds for 10 beds, and then additional donations to the campaign onve that pledge was completed!

Also, the Volunteers supported the Cardiac Care Program through funding for a portable Echocardiogram machine for the Heart of it All campaign. 

As we near Volunteer Week, we celebrate this group by saying thanks for all their efforts to support their local hospital and the Foundation

Healing Hope Fundraising Brunch draws a big crowd

Cancer survivor's fundraiser supports Centenary Oncology Program

Letna Allen-Rowe held the Healing Hope Fundraising Brunch on April 7 in Scarborough and a great crowd of supporters including local politicians, came out to support the event.

(See all of the pictures here)

The event featured a fantastic lineup of entertainment, with amazing gospel singers, fashion by the talented Stacy-Ann Buchanan Productions, and even a couple of special guest speakers from RVC’s Oncology team, who shared their knowledge on cancer care. 

Ms. Letna, a performer and singer herself, was very excited to bring together talented singers like Rayon & Paulette White, Dave ‘Comfort’ Vassell, Rochelle Robinson, Sharon Dongen and Donett Thompson-Hall for the audience’s listening pleasure.  And Ms. Letna's surprise performance was a highlight of the day.

Thank you to Ms. Letna and all of her friends and supporters who came out to make the event such a great success.

OPG donation brings Starlight Children’s Foundation Fun Center to Ajax and Pickering hospital

OPG recently made a donation to make the purchase of a new Fun Center possible through the Starlight Children's Foundation. The Fun Center includes a Wii with controllers and built in games and a DVD player, hooked up to a TV. The portable unit will be a great benefit to kids who have to wait in hospital for any length of time. It was received in the Emergency Unit March 27 at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital (RVAP), with Don Terry of OPG, Susan Remmer of Starlight and RVAP nurses Kelly Pasnick and Charlotte Beaton receiving it.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Durham partnered with Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada in a unique relationship recently, to help brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families who rely on care at Rouge Valley Ajax Pickering hospital (RVAP).

The donation is another example of how OPG continues its commitment to improved health care in Durham Region. The Fun Centre for RVAP has found a home in the Emergency Department thanks OPG’s generous donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada. The Fun Centre is a mobile entertainment unit that features a flat-screen LCD TV, DVD player and Nintendo WiiTM gaming system with many popular games built into the memory for easy access.

“The Starlight Fun Centre encourages sick children to play and allows them to just be kids again. Parents often find comfort simply from seeing the happiness on their child’s face,” said Christopher Barry, Starlight Canada’s President. “Starlight is pleased to facilitate this ’first’. The first Fun Center donated by OPG through Starlight and the first Fun Centre available at RVAP.”

"We try very hard to ensure people don't have to experience a long visit to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, but even a short wait can seem like forever to a child," said Arden Eldridge, Manager of Emergency Services at RVAP. “So having a Fun Centre like this will make a huge difference for a lot of kids when they are here, not to mention their parents. We are really grateful to Starlight and OPG for making this possible."

“We’re committed to strengthening our communities through partnerships,” said Don Terry, Public Affairs Manager, OPG. “Thank you to Starlight and Rouge Valley for this opportunity to help reduce the stress and burden on families during a difficult time.”

Ms. Letna giving back through Healing Hope Brunch

Cancer survivor holding fundraiser to support Centenary Oncology Program, April 7

March 26, 2013 — When it comes to fighting cancer, having hope is a key element to overcoming the odds. So Letna Allen-Rowe is working hard to bring more hope to the staff, doctors and patients of Rouge Valley Centenary hospital’s (RVC) Oncology Unit through a special event next week, The Healing Hope Fundraising Brunch.

“This hospital is my home hospital and they literally saved my life,” says Ms. Letna, who is a survivor of breast cancer, diagnosed in 2011. “I’m passionate about cancer care there because they took good care of me when I was a patient. Now I want to give back, because they need the fundraising support to be able to provide the best care for more patients that rely on their home hospital, like I did.”

The Healing Hope Fundraising Brunch features a fantastic lineup of entertainment, with amazing gospel singers, fashion by talented Stacy-Ann Buchanan Productions, and even a couple of special guest speakers from RVC’s Oncology team, who will share their knowledge on cancer care. Ms. Letna, a performer and singer herself, is very excited to bring together talented singers like Rayon & Paulette White, Dave ‘Comfort’ Vassell, Rochelle Robinson, Sharon Dongen and Donett Thompson-Hall for the audience’s listening pleasure.

The brunch takes place at the St. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Sunday, April 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds support RVC’s Oncology Program. Find out more at www.MsLetna.com. Tickets are available to be purchased online at www.ticketgateway.com, or they can be purchased at the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s RVC office at 2867 Ellesmere Rd. or by calling 416-281-7342.

Date: Sunday, April 7, 2013, Time: 1 to 5 p.m. Location: St. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall, 237 Milner Street, in Scarborough’s north end.

A gift for mental health inpatient recreation therapy

Jim Morrissey visited Rouge Valley Centenary hospital recently to make what has become an annual gift representing the Mental Health Council for Scarborough, to the Mental Health Inpatient Recreation Therapy, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

The generous donation of $4,000 will be used for a TV, craft supplies, horticultural supplies, CDs for karaoke, games for Wii and the Shoniker Clinic Outpatient Clinic will now have a new 50’ TV, while the Margaret Birch Wing will have funds for a 3rd floor tranquility garden.

Pictured, (L-R): Jessica Ng (Mental Health Recreational Therapy program); Jim Morrissey (Mental Health Council for Scarborough); Julie Kish (Manager Mental Health program ); Christine Henry (Margaret Birch Wing Therapy program).

Building a strong team at RVHSF

Rouge Valley Health System Foundation (RVHSF) is proud to have staff dedicated to continuous learning and building their skill sets to help the Foundation grow and succeed.

Jennifer R. Collins, Special Projects Officer for RVHSF, recently completed the Leading Edge Program, a joint effort of RVHS, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Through the course participants learn about leadership, how decisions are made within the organization and how to foster positive relationships.

"We're proud to have talented staff working at the Foundation and by completing the Leading Edge Program, Jennifer has taken the next step in developing solid leadership skills and applying new knowledge to benefit our entire team," says Tracy Paterson, Vice-President of the RVHS Foundation.

You're Leaving Your Money to Whom???

News from our Planned Giving team

Did you know that 92% of Canadians pay more money to Revenue Canada at death than they have to?  Did you know that only 8% of Canadians take the time to learn that by leaving a charitable bequest in their Will, they will actually leave more money for their loved ones and pay less money to the tax man.

How would you like to be a member of the 8% and leave more money to your loved ones? 

On your final income tax return at death, if your assets are not passing to a surviving spouse,  all of your assets are added up to become your taxable income including all RRSPs, RRIFs, real estate, insurance and marketable securities.  For some people, this will balloon their income resulting in significant capital gains and hence more taxes to be paid.  By leaving a bequest(s) to your favourite charities, you can minimize your capital gains thereby paying less to the tax man.   

Our gratitude to the late Mr. Sheldon Lush who purchased an irrevocable $100,000 life insurance policy which Rouge Valley received in 2012 to benefit high priority needs at Rouge Valley Centenary.  This reduced his estate taxable income by $100,000.
Planned giving is simply the process by which you work with your professional advisor, such as a wealth manager, lawyer, accountant or insurance representative, to determine what type and size of charitable gift (bequest) will minimize your taxes while leaving more money for your loved ones. 

By leaving a bequest to Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, you can help thousands patients at Rouge Valley receive better and faster diagnoses and treatment.  Imagine your family member have their heart scanned with the latest and more accurate 3-D technology; imagine premature babies receiving vital nourishment through advanced incubators; and imagine being back on your feet faster following knee surgery with the latest minimally invasive surgical technology.  All of our dreams and hopes are possible with careful planning.

Rouge Valley is closer to purchasing new state-of-the-art echocardiogram machines thanks to a $5,000 bequest from the Estates of Mrs. Ivy and Mr. Sam Nishida.

A Win-Win for everyone:  Help your loved ones receive more from your estate by making a charitable bequest to Rouge Valley or your favourite charity(s).  The offsetting charitable tax credit will ensure that you pay less of your money to taxes.  After all, you have spent a lifetime building your home, your family, supporting your community and making the world a better place.  Continue to make a difference after you have gone through careful estate planning.

High priority needs of Rouge Valley will be met this year with a major bequest of $325,000 from the Estate of Thelma Gwendolyne Owens.  This reduced her estate taxable income by $325,000.

Once you have decided on a plan with your professional adviser, make sure that you include all of the details in your Last Will and Testament.   A legal Will is probably the most important document you will ever prepare in your life yet only 50% of Canadians prepare one.  No matter how strong your feelings are about the people and charitable organizations you wish to benefit from your estate, your wishes cannot be fulfilled unless you state them in your written Will. Dying without making a proper Will (or with one that is out of date) risks needless taxation, legal challenges, delays, and family upset.

The bottom line is – who do you want to leave your money to.  Presuming you feel that the Revenue Canada has already received enough of your money, you have a chance to leave it to those who can truly benefit from your Estate – your loved ones and your favourite charities.  Don’t forget - speak with your professional adviser to determine the best ways to maximize your lifetime of savings and assets.

If you have already planned for a bequest to Rouge Valley, we would welcome the opportunity to invite you to join the Legacy of Care Society.  Reserved just for our family of planned giving donors, the Society receives special donor recognition, up-to-date information about Rouge Valley as well as opportunity to meet and speak with leading physicians and healthcare practitioners. 
To learn more about Planned Giving, contact Mary Slavik, Director of Planned Giving at Rouge Valley Health System Foundation at 416-281-7462 or by email at mslavik@rougevalley.ca to request “A Guide to Planning Your Will” or “Ways to Give”.  If one of your dreams is to support patient care at Rouge Valley, Mary will be pleased to offer you a tour of the Hospital and explore how to make your dream a reality through planned giving.  We also invite you to visit our website at www.rougevalley.ca/rvhsf/.