Foundation Chat

A guest blog from our newest staff member

2012-01-31T13:17:00.001-05:00

Katie Yigitoz with some of the items
she's received from across Canada in recent days.

Have you ever wondered why everyone loves Canada?

Nope! Why would you, it's obvious! Fun loving, peaceful, cowboys at the rodeo, face-offs over Tim Horton’s, the Great White North, Francophone, the best seafood you’ve ever tasted — just a few of the reasons why everyone loves Canada.

No matter what part of the country you visit, the entire nation has the reputation of being interesting, diverse and unashamedly Canadian.

And there is one event this year that is sure to celebrate that fact: Red, White & Rouge All Over: The 2012 Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's annual gala.

This year's gala celebrates being Canadian by highlighting the different provinces, territories and communities in a fun way. Each table at the event represents a particular part of Canada and will host packages of information for guests to discover.

I have spent some time getting better acquainted with the country's most popular cities as well as some lesser known regions and I think you will love what I have found! For instance, the City of Selkirk, Manitoba offers a wide range of interesting tourist spots, rich history and friendly people; however, as a guest you will truly understand these sentiments when you browse through their First 100 Years hard cover book, write with a Selkirk pen and watch the Selkirk "Making a Scene" DVD.

Fun facts, exciting attractions, and local wares will give guests an authentic taste of the region of Canada that they are visiting, represented at each of the tables. Be prepared for surprising and satisfying tidbits!

Hey, it’s not our fault we can sing, (the Biebs - Justin Bieber and Celine Dion for example) play sports, (Steve Nash or Leanne Pelosi anyone?) AND raise funds for a worthy cause!

The Gala is supporting the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s role in helping to provide the best patient experience and making patients’ time at the hospital as comfortable as possible.

No matter what table you sit at, enjoy the evening learning about new aspects of one unifying concept: We Are Canadian.

Thank you CKDO!

2012-01-26T12:43:00.002-05:00

What a morning - thank you to everyone at Durham Radio for your warm welcome Jan. 26!

The morning crew at CKDO are an amazing team: Terry Johnston, Sam Rankin and Rob Snoek are a lot of fun.

Foundation staff, on behalf of the Image is Everything campaign, delivered a special thank you plaque to CKDO for its participation in the MRIval event on Aug. 26, 2011 at rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Tracy Paterson, Jennifer Collins and (photographer for the morning) Maureen Dowhaniuk, enjoyed the visit and a chance to say thank you, personally, for CKDO's support.

To hear the live radio interview, follow this link.

To see pictures of CKDO broadcasting live from outside the hospital the day the MRI arrived at RVAP, click here.

Heart of it All campaign co-chairs in the news

2012-01-22T16:05:00.023-05:00

The Foundation was excited to see great news coverage of the Heart of it All campaign with two stories regarding life-saving efforts of two RVHS cardiologists, in local Metroland newspapers recently.

Drs. Paul Galiwango and Ram Vijayaraghavan, co-chairs of Rouge Valley Health System's Heart of it All campaign, were featured for their work in helping two different patients who survived unique heart problems after being brought to the Rouge Valley Health System's Cardiac Care Program.

The stories can be found online at newsdurhamregion.com, by following these links:

Oshawa man credits life to Rouge Valley ...

Emergency heart attack program saving lives in Durham

Polar Bears deliver fundraising total

2012-01-20T16:29:00.001-05:00

The Ajax Polar Bears visited the Ajax and Pickering hospital's Cardiac Diagnostics Dept. on Jan. 20 to deliver the funds from their 2012 swim in Lake Ontario.

From left, Bob Murray (co-organizer), Wendy Nagy (charge technologist), Bernard Johnson (Manager, Cardiac Diagnostics), Katherine Craine (Heart of it All Campaign), Eric Novak (co-organizer) and Peter Gos (co-organizer) posed in front of an older echocardiogram machine for the cheque presentation, in the amount of $3,021 donated to the Heart of it All campaign, proceeds from the 7th Annual Ajax Polar Bear Swim.

Thank you to our pals of the Ajax Polar Bear Swim for choosing the Heart of it All campaign as your charity.

The three organizers even added that they would like to support the Heart of it All campaign again with next year's event and they have plans to make it bigger and better than ever before in 2013.

To read more about the event itself, follow this link to the blog posting.

To Rouge with Love raising awareness and funds for cardiac program

2012-01-18T09:50:00.005-05:00

During the month of February, matters of the heart will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind here at Rouge Valley Health System Foundation. That’s because To Rouge With Love is back!

The annual event features a series of cocktail events hosted by supporters of the Foundation, to raise awareness of RVHS Cardiac Care program and the Heart of it All campaign.

To Rouge with Love is held throughout the month of February and each event host invites a Rouge Valley Health System Cardiologist and Cardiac staff member to speak about our excellent Regional Cardiac program.

To find out more about these special events or how to host your own event, call the Foundation office at 416-281-7342, or 905-686-2320, ext. 1501.

Valentine’s scents and sensibilities from Carberry Soap Company

2012-01-16T09:11:00.001-05:00

The Carberry Soap Company is offering a combination of their favourite bath products and scents to support the Heart of it All campaign and the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation.

It includes one bar of Love Soap, scented with exotic sandalwood and rich musk, combined with fruity floral refreshment; one Bath Bomb in a fresh, sweet fruity Bergamot fragrance; a Bath Creamer with geranium and lavender essential oils and a real rose bud, made with cocao & shea butter; and three micro bath blasters of fizzing loveliness, packed full of perfumes and oils.

This special spa package is just $20 and $5 of each sale supports the the Heart of It All campaign, with the goal to purchase much-needed echocardiogram machines, critical equipment for the cardiac care department at Rouge Valley Ajax & Pickering hospital and Rough Valley Centenary hospital. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.heartofitall.com.

The special offer is valid through Valentine’s Day 2012 or while quantities last. Learn more or order online at carberrysoap.com, or visit their store in Frenchman’s Bay Nautical Village, at 629 Liverpool Road in Pickering.

RVAP a lucky recipient of Hartley's Video Game Drive for Kids

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

The National Post's Financial Post Tech Desk editor, Matt Hartley, collected new and used video games for children's hospitals and pediatric centres across Canada, in his annual Hartley's Video Game drive for Kids before Christmas.

The Rouge Valley Health System hospital's were among the lucky recipients of games for kids.

Pictured are two of the staff of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital's paediatrics department, with just a small sample of the many games the hospital received and quickly in use by kids on the floor.

Last year Matt collected more than 500 games and consoles, which were donated to child's life departments from coast to coast. He set out to beat that total this year and here's his answer on whether he succeeded:

"I’m incredibly pleased to report that thanks to the unbelievable generosity of National Post readers, Postmedia employees and our corporate partners, this year, we more than doubled our haul from last year, collecting more than 1,100 games and 27 consoles that were distributed to nine hospitals across Canada," Matt writes on the National Post website.

To read more about the drive, click here.

A 'heart-starting event' for Heart of it All

2012-01-02T12:37:00.005-05:00

Despite some blustery winds and rain it was a stellar day at the Polar Bear Swim on Jan. 1 in Ajax!

About 300 people come out with about 125 or so entering the water. A couple of additional donations are expected, but the event is estimated to have raised $3,000, $700 more than last year! The Polar Bears chose to support the Heart of it All campaign this year.

To see a video of the fun, follow this link.

So many people were lined up about 15 minutes early and the winds were howling, so the event started a little bit ahead of 1pm for some. To compensate organizers Eric Novak and Peter Gos did a second wave for the folks who showed up for the 1pm posted start. Thank goodness Starbucks Ajax was on hand to give out free coffee and Peter purchased a giant carafe of hot chocolate so non-coffee drinking participants were kept warm.

With a couple of additional donation promises that day, organizers now say they passed the $3,000 mark, which is an increase of about $700 from last year.

The Ajax event, like so many others around the world, had rather simplistic beginnings. Ajax resident Bob Murray first took the plunge back in 2006 with a couple friends and with little fanfare or attention. Murray’s friend and fellow Ajax resident Peter Gos decided to help out the following year and it has grown every year since.

The Swim is designed to raise funds for a local charity as well. Both participants and spectators are encouraged to offer donations while at the event as a show of support to those who participate. As with last year, all proceeds will be donated to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, with proceeds from this year benefitting “The Heart of it All” campaign. The campaign is raising money to purchase much-needed echocardiogram machines for both the Ajax and Centenary sites.

“As far as being the recipient of the charitable side of this fun event, the Heart of it All campaign is really proud to have a local group choose to support its community hospital this way," says Chad Hanna, President and CEO of the Foundation, who along with Katherine Craine, representing the Foundation, took the plunge in the lake with everyone. "The guys behind the Ajax Polar Bear swim, aside from being a little crazy, are really a special breed. They know how important health care is. The money will go toward purchasing new echocardiogram machines and the end result promises to be a much greater level of comfort for doctor and patient, as the new machines provide the best possible clarity in the images of the heart and therefore the best diagnosis for the patient.”

Best Buy makes Centenary visits fun for kids

2011-12-21T12:02:00.001-05:00

Scarborough Town Centre location donates and installs game units for paediatric patients

A hospital appointment is not often fun for children, but a visit to Rouge Valley Centenary (RVC) won’t be boring from now on, thanks to a donation from Best Buy of the Scarborough Town Centre, with new video games, TVs, and more available in the hospital’s Galaxy12 Unit and Paediatric department.

In conjunction with the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, Best Buy staff arranged for the gift and then delivered and installed the equipment, along with DVD players, DVDs, Blackberry Playbooks, and much more electronics. The gift is being used by patients and families of the Paediatric departments of the hospital.

“This is such a generous and meaningful gift for our young patients,” says Alexandra Frankel, Child Life Specialist for RVC’s Neonatal and Paediatric Program. “For many children, this puts them at ease during a potentially stressful experience by helping to normalize the hospital environment and provide distraction for some who are going through serious health challenges. This wonderful addition to our unit really makes a world of difference and puts a smile on every child's face!"

On hand for the presentation and tour of the departments, representing Best Buy, were Nikhil Rattan, General Manager, with Geek Squad Agents Colin Maragh, Safi Murtaza and Richard Pinnock.

Nikhil got a chance to test out the gaming equipment with one of the children waiting for an appointment on the 12th Floor. Ryan MacInnis played a little hockey with Nikhil, on a donated PS3.

To see all of the pictures from the visit, click here.

Pickering Firefighters spread good cheer to children

2011-12-21T11:46:00.016-05:00

Three members of the Pickering Professional Firefighters Association visited the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital Dec. 21, to bring some of the toys they collected in their Christmas toy drives in the past month.

Jolina, once the fuss died down
and the firefighters had left the room,
got right into her new toys and was
enjoying them.

Neil DeLory, Adrian Kentish and Sean Simmonds, presented several children in the paediatrics department with toys to brighten their stay and left many other gifts for other kids who will be in hospital over the coming days.

This has become an annual visit and the Foundation would like to express its great appreciation to the firefighters for ongoing support and dedication to their community hospital.

See all of the pictures from their visit here.

Toronto Community News comes 'bearing' gifts

2011-12-20T16:15:00.008-05:00

On Dec. 20, the Toronto Community News generously donated a large collection of teddy bears to Rouge Valley Centenary. The bears were given to the children in the Paediatrics, Emergency, NICU, and Birthing and Newborn departments bringing smiles and making the holiday season brighter for our youngest patients.

Members of staff, Laura, Leema and Jeremy personally delivered the bears and visited with parents and children in the different departments to hand them out. See all of the pictures here.

Advertisers that purchased advertising on designated days in December had a teddy bear donated in their name. TCN is comprised of Scarborough Mirror, North York Mirror, Etobicoke Guardian, York Guardian, Bloor West Villager, Parkdale Liberty Villager, City Centre Mirror, East York Mirror, and Beach Mirror.

Thank you for your generosity from nursing staff in paediatrics and the emergency department,as well as the BNC and NICU.

An early dip to promote the Ajax Polar Bear swim

2011-12-20T12:50:00.005-05:00

Peter and Bob, two of the original Polar Bears, were in the water on Dec. 20 to help promote the Jan 1 Polar Bear Swim. The event is raising funds for the Rouge Valley Health System's Cardiac Department through the Heart of it All campaign. Photographer Sabrina Byrnes was there to capture the moment for a promotional story to appear in the News Advertiser.

For the 7th year in a row a New Year’s Day tradition will be taking to the Lake Ontario shoreline at Paradise Park in Ajax, ON with the carrying out of the annual Polar Bear Swim.

At 1PM on Sunday, January 1, 2012 swimmers will welcome the New Year, and shake off the cob-webs from the festivities of the night before by running en masse into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario. With similar events happening around the world, the annual event has entrenched itself with both symbolism and purpose wherever it’s held.

“There is no better way to start off a brand New Year, than by leaving your comfort zone” notes co-organizer Eric Novak. “Whether your goals for the year ahead are personal, professional or otherwise, there is great symbolism by doing something that seems so counter-intuitive to what you’re supposed to do.”

The Ajax event, like so many others around the world had rather simplistic beginnings. Ajax resident Bob Murray first took the plunge back in 2006 with a couple friends and with little fanfare or attention. Murray’s friend and fellow Ajax resident Peter Gos decided to help out the following year and it has grown every year since. During the 2011 swim approximately 100 swimmers jumped in as they were watched by about 150 others on the shoreline.

The Swim is designed to raise funds for a local charity as well. Both participants and spectators are encouraged to offer donations while at the event as a show of support to those who participate. As with last year, all proceeds will be donated to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, with proceeds from this year benefitting “The Heart of it All” campaign. The campaign is raising money to purchase diagnostic Heart Echo machines for both the Ajax and Centenary sites. Last year the swim raised over $2,300, donated to the RVHSF’s “Image Matters” campaign relating to the purchase of a new MRI machine for their Ajax site.

“As far as being the recipient of the charitable side of this fun event, the Heart of it All campaign is really proud to have a local group choose to support its community hospital this way," says Chad Hanna, President and CEO of the Foundation, on hand for the Dec. 20 dip. "The guys behind the Ajax Polar Bear swim, aside from being a little crazy, are really a special breed. They know how important health care is. The money will go toward purchasing new echocardiogram machines and the end result promises to be a much greater level of comfort for doctor and patient, as the new machines provide the best possible clarity in the images of the heart and therefore the best diagnosis for the patient.”

Paradise Park is located along Lakeview Boulevard, between Pickering Beach Road and Shoal Point Road in south-east Ajax.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Eric Novak, Co-Organizer, (W) 905-231-0341 (C) 905-626-5485
eric@modernmediaperspectives.com
Visit their Facebook Event Page at: http://www.facebook.com/events/140669796041538/

CIBC brings brightens holidays for young cancer patients

2011-12-19T11:22:00.011-05:00

Families celebrated with their children at Rouge Valley Centenary as Santa and his helpers brought many smiles to the faces of children in hospital on Dec. 16.

Many families and their children, who are patients in the paediatric oncology program, came for a party at Rouge Valley Centenary’s third-floor conference room.

“This party is for our young patients, their parents and siblings, to enjoy some time together as a family with people going through similar experiences,” says Michele Jordan, vice president, women's and children's program, quality improvement and transformation

Arts, crafts, games and a visit from their Rouge Valley Health System care providers were part of the fun, plus a visit from Santa, naturally. See all of the pictures here.

The CIBC brought toys for the children and made a $25,000 donation to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation. If you would like to support children's programs at the hospital, please contact the Foundation at 416-281-7342 or foundation@rougevalley.ca.

Tree of Life™ bears fruit for community hospital

2011-12-15T16:53:00.006-05:00

Thanks to the generosity of Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees in eight West Durham locations, more than $15,000 has been raised for women’s health equipment and programs at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital in this fall’s Tree of Life fundraising campaign.

“Shoppers Drug Mart would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the millions of participants nationwide who helped raise over $2.17 million for women’s health organizations across Canada,” says Lisa Gibbs, Manager, Community Investment, Shoppers Drug Mart. “Each year, the Canadian communities touch us with their support and generosity and the response this year was no exception. Through the support and commitment demonstrated by our incredible customers, Associate-owners and their store teams, we are able to provide essential funding to local women’s health organizations who strive to meet the health needs of Canadian women.”

Among the positive results of the donation will be the purchase of a Trenstop Shoulder Support for the hospital’s surgical unit, that will help in specific procedures for women. The Tree of Life campaign supports Canadian women’s health organizations who offer invaluable services and programming supporting women’s whole health across Canada.

Four local Shoppers managers visited the hospital Dec. 14 to make the presentation and tour the hospital's surgical and lab departments. See all of the pictures here.

The campaign, which ran for four weeks from Sept. 17 to Oct. 14, 2011, saw participation from more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores and benefited 426 women’s health organizations nationwide. Shoppers Drug Mart’s Tree of Life campaign is national in scope, yet locally based, with 100 per cent of the proceeds donated to women’s health organizations in individual communities and neighborhoods that offer women resources to improve and maintain health in mind, body and spirit.

J&B Carroll Family Foundation is at the Heart of it All

2011-12-13T10:52:00.069-05:00

From left, Lisa Draper, Kevin, a Cardiac Dept. echocradiogram technician,
David Draper and Barbara and John Carroll.

The Heart of it All campaign recently received a generous gift from the J&B Carroll Family Foundation, when John Carroll, his wife Barbara, and their daughter Lisa Draper and her husband David visited Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. They presented a cheque for $10,000 on Dec. 9, during a tour of the hospital's cardiac department.

The foundation is a true family effort for the past 10 years with all of the Carroll children participating in turns each year to select a charity to support. This year Lisa and David selected the Heart of it All campaign (HoiA) after hearing about the need for new echocardiogram machines and the advanced technology that will help patients and even save lives through the Rouge Valley Health System's cardiac program.

"We wanted to go with a local (cause) and the hospital made the most sense," says Lisa. "With dad's background, with his heart, it was a great fit to support this campaign."

By her 'dad's heart' Lisa is referring to Mr. Carroll, who was diagnosed with serious Angina in his early 50’s. His cardiologist was a graduate of Emery University in Atlanta, Georgia. He asked Mr. Carroll if he would be willing to be a “guinea pig” for a new procedure called Angioplasty.

As Lisa explains, a Canadian cardiologist successfully executed an angioplasty on Mr. Carroll, and now 27 years later, the Carroll family is grateful to the doctor who created the “balloon and garden hose” operation. That year (1984), only about 10,000 angioplastys were performed, compared to the millions performed today.

The angioplasty saved his life, Lisa says, and adds it is the Family Foundation’s hope that the superior technology of 3D echocardiogram machines will save many more lives as well as serve as an excellent early detection diagnostic tool.

After touring the cardiac department with HoiA co-chair Dr. Paul Galiwango, and seeing how their donation will be used and how the department works, Mr. Carroll says "I want a 3-D echo!"

"I think this is fabulous, I was impressed," Mr. Carroll adds. "The place is immaculate and as a patient, you have a better chance of recovery here."

Mr. Carroll adds that the family foundation's objective is to get the whole family involved. They have supported a number of causes and health care organizations over the years. He is excited that his grand children will soon be taking part in selecting and learning about charities.

Lisa had toured the hospital prior to the donation and they made their pitch to the family to endorse the HoiA campaign last August. Hearing her daughter speak passionately about her choice for the donation, and having seen first hand the cardiac department, Mrs. Carroll, says "I think you've made a great choice."

For his part, Mr. Draper, who owns his own business in Ajax, Dreamscape Renovations, says he was impressed by how modern the hospital is, compared to prior years when he'd visited.

"It's always had a great reputation in the community, but you didn't hear much about it over the years."

The HoiA campaign and the RVHS Foundation would like to express their appreciation to the J&B Carroll Family Foundation for this donation. Your support will truly echo a lifetime.

Deer Creek's Image is Everything pledge all 'Wrapped up'

2011-12-12T10:30:00.030-05:00

Deer Creek Golf Clubs held its 'Wrap It Up' party on Dec. 8 and celebrated in style as they announced they had reached their incredible pledge goal for the Image is Everything campaign, presenting a cheque for $120,000 to the campaign committee.

The Wrap It Up party saw about 400 people enjoying the hospitality and beautiful setting of Deer Creek's Banquet Facility and the evening included an amazing dinner, with musical entertainment from the Highland Creek Pipes and Drums, the Femtones and more.

The guest list was a 'who's who' of Ajax, Pickering and Durham Region, with mayor's regional councillors all on hand to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation and the Image is Everything campaign cabinet would like to express their appreciation to Deer Creek and Ron Halliday for their generosity and dedication to the campaign.

To see more pictures from the evening, follow this link.

Young Singers gives Gift of toys to RVAP kids

2011-12-09T13:04:00.000-05:00

Picture this: Amazing voices lifting up Christmas music to an appreciative audience, with hundreds of soft toys at their feet, a collection the Young Singers of Ajax gathered to give to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital (RVAP) to the children who are here over the holidays.

The Singers collected the toys at their recent Holiday Concert at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oshawa.

You can make your own Gift of Health to RVAP or Rouge Valley Centenary. Just email foundation@rougevalley.ca to let us know how you would like to help.

Whitby Legion supports Image is Everything!

2011-12-08T17:24:00.005-05:00

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #112, Whitby, made a donation of $6,000 this month towards the Image is Everything campaign.

This gifts means that Durham Region branches of the Legion have donated more than $60,000 to the campaign as a whole!

Join us at Centenary for some holiday entertainment

2011-12-08T15:56:00.004-05:00

The lobby of Rouge Valley Centenary will be alive with the sound of music next week.

The Buy a Bed committee has arranged for three days of entertainment, and would like to thank all of the performers for volunteering their time, as well as the Toronto Catholic District School Board for their support in arranging for a school choir to visit.

Pictured is Jerry Jerome performing last year with Dr. James Chiarotto, the oncologist who helped him recover from his battle with cancer. Read about their story in Foundation Chat.

Here's what to look forward to:
Dec. 14, noon to 1:30 pm - East York Concert Band
Dec. 15, noon to 1:30 pm - Jerry Jerome and the Cardells (Steel Pan)
Dec. 16, 11:45 am to 12:45 pm - St. Victor's Catholic School Choir

Community spirit for their hospital

2011-12-08T11:28:00.003-05:00

Barry and Sheila visited Rouge Valley Centenary hospital this week to spread some holiday cheer. They delivered two Christmas trees, decorations and a collection of stuffed toys to deliver to the children on the paediatrics floor.

Barry & Sheila live in the area, and wanted to help ensure that our young patients had smiles on their faces during the holiday season. Pictured, from left, are Roselyn Sagar-Lal, the Foundation's Major & Community Giving Officer, Barry, Sheila and Alex, a Child Life Specialist at Rouge Valley Centenary.

Pajama party packs 'em in at Centennial

2011-12-05T09:08:00.001-05:00

Centennial College hosted 'A Night of Pajama Fun', a night of music, dancing, a midnight snack buffet and various themed fundraising activities, on Dec. 2.

There was a silent auction and the "Who are you sleeping with?" picture station. The event was held to support the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's Buy a Bed campaign.

To see all of the photos from the event, click here.

Scarborough Rouge Physiotherapy wants to Buy a Bed!

2011-12-02T14:40:00.000-05:00

Because they know the positive impact a good bed has in the healing process, the great team at Scarborough Rouge Physiotherapy are fully supportive of the campaign to bring 100 new beds to Rouge Valley Centenary hospital.

That's why they want to give patients at their community hospital a strong foundation for healing and recuperating. They are asking clients to contribute to their goal to buy a bed for Rouge Valley Centenary.

Scarborough Rouge Physiotherapy is a family and physiotherapist owned and operated clinic committed to caring and promoting health and wellness for active people of all ages. Find out more at their website, http://scarboroughrouge.com/.

Special presentation: Parenting Children with ADHD

2011-11-29T14:02:00.002-05:00

Dr. Joan Flood lead the presentation.

A special educational event was held Saturday, Nov. 26 at Rouge Valley Centenary hospital: Parenting Children with ADHD
and Associated Challenges, presented by Dr. Joan Flood of the Shoniker Clinic, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Clinic.

With the support of RBC, the Foundation and RVHS were able to facilitate this event and will be hosting three more in the near future. These types of events are an effort to benefit the parents and children of the community. Dr. Flood's presentation was informative and well received by 100 participants who enjoyed lunch as part of the full-day session.

Thank you to Dr. Flood and all of the participants for making this day a worthwhile event.

A wonderful evening at the City of Pickering Mayor's Gala

2011-11-28T14:55:00.002-05:00

Mayor Dave Ryan and his wife Anne were greeted at the entrance by a pioneer family at this year's Gala.

This year’s City of Pickering Mayor’s Gala was a milestone event for the Image is Everything campaign, with the Gala set to reach it’s tremendous pledge of $250,000 to help bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

“Having been involved right from the beginning of this campaign, and having the opportunity to be there as the MRI was delivered to our community hospital this past August, I feel a great sense of pride in being in a position where we will reach our pledge to provide $250,000 to Image is Everything,” says Mayor Dave Ryan. “The very simple purpose of the Mayor’s Gala is to present a wonderful evening and use the occasion to collect significant financial support for important causes that support Pickering’s residents and contribute so greatly to the social fabric of our community."

See all of the photos from the evening here.

This annual black-tie affair was again held at the Pickering Recreation Centre, which this year was transformed by the theme for 2011, “Reflections in Time”. With Pickering celebrating its bicentennial all of this year, Gala organizers took this special opportunity to incorporate Pickering’s proud past into this year’s event. The event featured the amazing talent of Pickering's own singing star, Sarah Slean. To see her performance, follow this link.

Gala Committee Chair Diana Hills-Milligan points to the volunteers and members of the organizing committee as the key to the Gala and its success over the years. Their inspiration and creativity are what sets the event apart, she says. And when it comes to making the event a financial success, Ms. Hills-Milligan is truly proud of the overwhelming support local companies bring to the table, year after year.

“None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of our generous and dedicated sponsors, so I have to take this opportunity to thank each of them for their amazing and continued support of this Gala,” says Ms. Hills-Milligan. “With all of the hard work leading up to this, I really enjoyed seeing the theme of this year’s event on display, with Pickering’s history truly coming alive at this year’s Gala.”

Learning about the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act

2011-11-25T10:52:00.009-05:00

Terrence Carter

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation teamed up with the Town of Ajax, The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade and the Lakeridge Health Whitby Foundation to present a free information session on Nov. 23, regarding the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), previously Bill 65.

Held at the McLean Community Centre in Ajax, 125 representatives from not-for-profit and charity organizations around Durham Region and east Toronto took advantage of this free opportunity to get on top of this critical piece of legislation.

The ONCA will directly affect 46,000 Ontario organizations operating in the sector and will come into effect at the end of 2012. Guest speakers for this special event were Terrance Carter, B.A., LL.B, Trademark Agent, and Theresa Man, B.Sc, M.Mus., LLB., LL.M. These two expert lawyers are authors, as well as speakers and counsel on legal issues involving charities and not-for-profits.

To learn more about these speakers, visit http://www.carters.ca/.

Special thanks to our presenters who gave a very informative and thorough presentation, spelling out the many issues charities face in preparing for the new act, as well as strategies to meet these new requirements.

Crabtree & Evelyn supporting Heart of it All campaign

2011-11-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

Crabtree & Evelyn is holding a one-day special event to support the Heart of it All campaign.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, 15 per cent of the proceeds from your purchase, with coupon, will be donated to the Rouge Valley Health System's Heart of it All campaign, to bring new echocardiogram machines to both Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital and Rouge Valley Centenary hospital in Scarborough.

Download the coupon here and present to Crabtree & Evelyn in the Scarborough Town Centre on Dec. 3 to support the campaign.

Rotary Club of Ajax makes milestone donation

2011-11-14T13:20:00.015-05:00

Latest gift brings 10,000th stuffed animal to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital

When it comes to needing care during a visit to a hospital, it can be a stressful time for a child, so it is important to have a way to comfort them. A community group that truly understands this is the Rotary Club of Ajax, and thanks to a special delivery this week they will reach 10,000 stuffed animals donated to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

“The doctors and nurses of Rouge Valley really value the gifts of stuffed animals provided by the Rotary Club,” says Tracy Paterson, Vice-President of Development for Rouge Valley Health System Foundation. “It is amazing to see the calming effect these toys have on children in the emergency department and fracture clinic here as they receive care.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, a number of executive members of the Rotary Club visited to bring 463 more stuffed animals to their community hospital, to reach the 10,000 plateau.

The Rotary Club of Ajax, which purchases the majority of the toys, has been making donations of stuffed animals regularly over the past eight years. To increase the number of gifts, the club points to the support of partners such as CIBC which contributed $500 towards the project, along with contributions from both Wal-Mart locations in Ajax and Pickering, along with Canadian Tire Pickering.

Pictured, from left are Foundation Board member, Dr. Romas Stas, Santa's helper, Rotary Club of Ajax President Don Brewer, Incoming President Donna Bright, Treasurer Gloria Sharples and the Foundation's Special Events Officer, Heather Montague.

The elf gets another MRI at Ajax and Pickering Santa Claus parades

2011-11-14T09:17:00.003-05:00

On November 12, an enthusiastic group of volunteers accompanied the Image is Everything float in both the Ajax and Pickering Santa Claus parades.

The Pickering parade held during the day, enjoyed perfect weather which continued into the evening for the Ajax parade, better known as Santa's Magical Parade of Lights.

Thank you to both communities for cheering on the float as we passed by and to the volunteers who were so eager to be a part of the parade. A special thank you to Foundation Board member and Image is Everything cabinet member Dr. Romas Stas for sponsoring the float.

See all of the photos at our Flickr page.

RVAP Auxiliary celebrates 60th Anniversary

2011-10-31T15:00:00.001-04:00

Together, Shirley Rowlands, left, and Bev Carmichael,
President of the Auxiliary, hold a photo album of the
many memories collected over 60 years for
the Auxiliary to Ajax and Pickering hospital.

On Sunday October 30, more than 150 members and community friends celebrated the volunteers of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital (RVAP) and their 60 years of having supported their community hospital.

“The Auxiliary and the hospital are two parts of one whole,” says Bev Carmichael, President of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. “We are so proud of the dedication the hundreds of volunteers have provided to local health care over those 60 years and we are excited to be able to celebrate this milestone with an event that will bring together many of those volunteers, past and present."

See all of the pictures here.

At the celebration, Bev Carmichael and the Auxiliary's Executive recognized long-standing volunteers as well as the dedication of its younger members (one of whom had donated 300 hours of service!).

Plus, a cheque for $50,000 was presented to the RVHS Foundation for the Image is Everything campaign. The Auxiliary is a lead donor in the campaign, which has brought an MRI machine to RVAP. Their $500,000 pledge matches the largest donation made to the campaign, to date. Rouge Valley Health System Foundation President and CEO, Chad Hanna, says he was grateful, but not surprised, that the Auxiliary committed to such a tremendous gift to the hospital.

“These volunteers are the cornerstone of Ajax and Pickering’s hospital,” says Mr. Hanna. “The Auxiliary existed before the hospital was even constructed and they have always been there to support in any way needed.”

Annual Boot Drive supports Image is Everything

2011-10-29T22:59:00.015-04:00

Pickering Professional Firefighters continue tradition of supporting their community hospital

On Saturday October 29, the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation worked alongside the Pickering Professional Firefighters at their annual boot drive at various malls throughout the City of Pickering to collect funds for the Image is Everything campaign.

This fundraising campaign has raised $4.3 million, to date, towards the purchase of the brand new MRI recently installed at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. With the MRI machine now up and running, and patients are already receiving MRI results, the firefighters know it is more important than ever to complete the fundraising goal of $5 million to complete the campaign.

Last year, the Firefighters were able to raise $17,000 towards the campaign, and hope that drivers who enter and exit the malls will again be as generous when asked by volunteers to donate their spare change.

From the RVHS Foundation, thank you to our dedicated firefighters for their continued support!

Bowmanville Legion throws support behind Image is Everything Campaign

2011-10-28T15:01:00.000-04:00

On October 27, Myrna Picotte of the Image is Everything campaign community committee and Tracy Paterson, Vice-President of Development for RVHSF, visited the Bowmanville Legion to accept a cheque for $2,000 from Branch 178 President Rick Saunders.

From everyone involved in the Image is Everything campaign, thank you to the Bowmanville Branch and all of the Legions of Durham Region for your support. Your generosity played a big part in bringing an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, an MRI that will serve all of the residents of Durham Region in the years ahead.

Auxiliary celebrating 60 years of dedication

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-04:00

Ajax and Pickering hospital volunteers mark major milestone on Sunday, October 30

This year the volunteers of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital (RVAP) are celebrating a precious milestone, the diamond anniversary, having supported their community hospital for 60 inspirational years.

“The Auxiliary and the hospital are two parts of one whole,” says Bev Carmichael, President of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. “We are so proud of the dedication the hundreds of volunteers have provided to local health care over those 60 years and we are excited to be able to celebrate this milestone with an event that will bring together many of those volunteers, past and present."

The special occasion will be marked by an afternoon tea at the Ajax Senior Citizens Friendship Club, 46 Exeter Road, Ajax, on Sunday, Oct. 30. The tea is from 2 to 4 p.m. and all past and present members of the Auxiliary are encouraged to attend.

The Auxiliary is a lead donor in the Image is Everything campaign, which has brought an MRI machine to RVAP. Their $500,000 pledge matches the largest donation made to the campaign, to date. Rouge Valley Health System Foundation President and CEO, Chad Hanna, says he was grateful, but not surprised, that the Auxiliary committed to such a tremendous gift to the hospital.

“These volunteers are the cornerstone of Ajax and Pickering’s hospital,” says Mr. Hanna. “The Auxiliary existed before the hospital was even constructed and they have always been there to support in any way needed.”

For more information about the Image is Everything campaign, visit www.rougeMRI.com. For more details on the Oct. 30 tea, call 905-683-2320, ext. 1501.

FASHIONShow 2011 brings chic to a new level

2011-10-24T13:03:00.012-04:00

Lynn Spence describes the outfit model Melissa Raghurai is wearing.

On Oct. 23, fundraising chic was the hottest trend on the runway and supporting your community hospital was all the rage as FASHIONShow 2011 stepped into the spotlight at the Scarborough Town Centre (STC).

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation is excited to have had the Town Centre host the 3rd Annual fashion showcase, in support of Rouge Valley Centenary hospital. This chic event was held at Centre Court and provided a look at fabulous fashions supplied by many of the STC’s top retailers.

“Scarborough Town Centre is very proud to have opened its doors to support Rouge Valley Centenary, and a fashion show is a perfect opportunity for our amazing retailers to show off the fabulous fashions they offer,” says Kathy Meyers, General Manager, Scarborough Town Centre, Oxford Properties Group. “This is truly a win-win scenario and we decided to pull out all the stops to make FASHIONShow 2011 a huge success.”

Lynn Spence, guest fashion expert from CityTV’s CityLine, was mistress of ceremonies for the evening, while Jan Sayer as well as members of the Scarborough Players provided entertainment before and after the show.

Held as a fundraiser for the RVHSF Heart of it All campaign, the event was followed by a reception sponsored and catered by Canyon Creek Chop House, with desserts provided by Moxie’s Classic Grill.
Heart of it All Co-Chair, Dr. Paul Galiwango, stepped in as one of the models, along with Ms. Meyers and several other volunteers.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.heartofitall.ca. Find links to a video of the event and photos of all the fashions and guests by visiting www.rougevalley.ca/rvhsf/fashion.html.

Image is Everything has true 'Friends Indeed'

2011-10-19T15:08:00.000-04:00

Friends Indeed brought a cheque for more than $10,000 to the Image is Everything campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Friends Indeed is a local community organization that joined with Forest Brook Community Church centre to hold a Fundraising dinner for the MRI campaign Sunday, September 18th. This event celebrated the diversity of the region served by the Rouge Valley Health System. The entertainment for the evening reflected that sentiment.

There were speeches from the Mayors of Ajax and Pickering, local MPs and MPPs, the Police Chief, and of course, the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation and staff.

There were various singing, musical, and dance acts immediately after the dinner.

There were a number of other events during the night to raise additional funds for the MRI Campaign (raffles, prizes, etc). All proceeds from the event were donated to the MRI Campaign.

Casino Rouge a spectacular success

2011-10-18T11:18:00.006-04:00

On October 14th, 2011, along with their best poker face, poker players were "all in for hearts" at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Shalin Tripathi accepts the
Texas Hold 'em diamond prize.

The night featured a Texas Hold 'em tournament, gaming tables like blackjack and roulette, with a special highlight of watching and learning from celebrity pro and world series of poker champion Chris Moneymaker and Poker After Dark announcer Ali Nejad. In all, 200-plus guests enjoyed an evening of fun and excitement.

Along with the casino activities that night, guests enjoyed a jazz lounge featuring the Eric St-Laurent Trio and Jaymz Bee as emcee, plus wine tasting and cuisine by Oliver and Bonacini.

Kathy Thomson accepts
the gold wafer.

To begin the evening, members of the media sat down to a friendly game of poker. But in the end, Claudio Midolo edged out his wife Mika Midolo of CP24 Breakfast, to win the Media Trophy. Also playing in the game were Peter Gross, 680 News and Kenty Khan of Asian Television Network, along with poker pro Chris Moneymaker and Casino Rouge committee members Dr. Ash Mukherjee (Chair), John Di Cesare and Chetan Mathur. Poker After Dark host Ali Nejad provided expert advice to the media players and running commentary on the game throughout, as he did for the main event that lasted until 1:30 a.m. when the champion was crowned in front of a big crowd who stayed to watch.
During the evening, two prizes were awarded:

Tournament Champion (over $5,000 in diamonds provided with the generous assistance of R.T. Boyd Ltd.) ~ Shalin Tripathi
Javier San Juan - 2nd place; Eric Carlson - 3rd place

Non-Tournament Champion (1 oz wafer of gold valued at $1,800 and sponsored by Agnico Eagle) ~ Kathy Thomson

Ali Nejad, behind, calls the action as Chris Moneymaker, left,
and Jim Ward, right, eye the cards being dealt.

Proceeds from Casino Rouge go to support the Heart of It All campaign to purchase echocardiogram equipment for Rouge Valley Health System.

See all of the pictures from this event at the Foundation Flickr page.

Tree of Life Shopper's Drug Mart fundraiser returns

2011-09-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

Our friends at Shoppers Drug Mart are once again supporting the Rouge Valley Health System through the annual Tree of Life campaign, running from September 17 until October 14, this year.

At a select number of Scarborough and West Durham Shoppers Drug Mart locations, customers and employees are given a chance to make a donation directly to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, in an effort to make a difference toward women’s health by supporting programs at their community hospital. The campaign asks customers if they would like to purchase and add their name or personal message on a paper leaf for $1, butterfly for $5 or cardinal for $50.

Each piece is then added to a tree branch on the Tree of Life in the store. And here's the best part: 100 per cent of all proceeds at participating locations go directly toward women's health programs at Rouge Valley hospitals.

We hope you will support the campaign and visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart store to buy your leaf, butterfly or cardinal.

Bevy of Baskets fundraiser returns

2011-09-28T14:00:00.003-04:00

Gail Snyders and the Bevy of Baskets are returning for another fabulous fundraiser, starting this week!

The Pickering woman has been creating themed baskets with the help of donors and volunteers and raffling them off for many years now and this year you can find your tickets at a number of different locations for a chance to win. The goal is to raise funds to help local hospitals purchase equipment.

A breast cancer survivor and founder of the Bevy of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, Mrs. Snyders has been doing this since 1997. From now until the end of October she and volunteers go from location to location, selling tickets for Bevy of Baskets at $2 a piece or three for $5. The draws are held in November.

This year she is dedicating the funds once again to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital's Image is Everything campaign to purchase a magnetic resonance imaging machine.The MRI machine arrived at the hospital on Aug. 29, although the campaign is currently just past the 80 per cent mark of its $5 million goal. Gail's pledge to contribute $25,000 in total to the campaign is an amazing gift!

A breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Snyders is very supportive of an MRI for Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Raffle tickets are available for sale at a number of spots in the community, including the Pickering Town Centre, Loblaws and Wal-Mart stores in Ajax and Whitby.

The baskets range from being filled with useful kitchen items such as a vegetable steamer and a toaster to hair products from local retailers.

Although October will wrap up and the winners will be drawn in November, the foundation accepts donations year-round for next year's fundraiser. Those wishing to donate products or even baskets, an essential part of the fundraiser, or to volunteer, can contact Mrs. Snyders at 905-839-0690.

Look for the raffle tickets here:
Loblaws Ajax - October 13, 14, 15 and 16
Wal-Mart Ajax - October 20 and 21
Pickering Town Centre - September 29, 30, October 1 & 2
Loblaws Pickering - October 5, 6 & 7
Durham Craft Show - October 28, 29, & 30
Pickering Town Centre November 3, 4, 5 & 6

For more information, contact the Foundation at foundation@rougevalley.ca or by calling 905-683-2320, ext. 1501.

More community art decorating halls of RVAP

2011-09-28T09:28:00.014-04:00

Another set of paintings has been added to the halls of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital (RVAP).

Accessible from both the east and west entrances of the hospital, eight new paintings by local amateur artists have been hung for the enjoyment of patients as well as visitors and patients. The paintings hang on walls near the hospital's Cardiac Diagnostics Department, on the main floor.

Two of the paintings are by members of RVAP's own Auxiliary, and one by a staff member, while the rest come from members of the community. On hand with their paintings for the installation, Sept. 28, were Norma, Christine, Gilbert, Louise and Richard, while Paul, Sylvia and Judith couldn't attend. The five on hand all had interesting comments on their work and their pleasure in sharing their art with the public.

Norma: "It's exhilarating that people will see my work." She added that she's been painting for about 15 years now and her favourite subject is house, although her painting is of wildlife, and that's something new for her.

Christine: Displaying her work is something new, although she said "I've always painted and drawn, all of my life". She has simply, as a rule, not framed and put her work on exhibition before.

Gilbert: In describing his sunny work, said, "It was winter and I was craving for some sun!" His piece came together quickly, he added and "it took on a life of its own, with the palm tree becoming a part of it."

Richard: A return artist along with Gilbert, having another piece on display in another location in the hospital, Richard said of the larger artwork "This is more my comfort zone". His piece is titled "Sky" and he explained that "boats enthrall me." The work was inspired by having grown up in the tropics, he added and "is typical of my work."

Louise: A relative newcomer to art, painting for a little more than two years, Louise's work is an abstract. She said she has really come to enjoy painting because of the use of colour and of note in her work, she said "I title all of my paintings after songs. The lyrics inspire my work and this one is inspired by a Cat Stevens song. It's a really happy song, so i wanted to make something bright and happy."

Special thanks to RVAP OR nurse, Alma Kelley, for organizing the display.

To see pictures from the installation, visit the Foundation's Flickr page.

Who's Your Caddy? 2011

2011-09-23T11:19:00.003-04:00

The 2nd Annual Who's Your Caddy? ladies-only golf tournament welcomed some incredible women who manage business, volunteering and home to escape for a few hours of hijinks on the golf course. Presented by Veridian Corporation, all proceeds from the tournament support the Image is Everything campaign, which has brought the first MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

The tournament was a tremendous success again with many of the teams topping last year's amazing costumes and silliness. Each ladies' foursome was paired with a male caddy for advice and assistance and they got into the fun, delivering special gifts and in many cases wearing costumes to complement the ladies' team themes. The caddies were gentlemen and while the ladies may not have been so well-behaved, the tournament was an amazing success, raising $25,000!

To see ALL of the images from the fun day, visit our Flickr page.

Legacy of Care Society recognition event

2011-09-22T11:22:00.006-04:00

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's Legacy of Care Society annual recognition evening was held Wednesday, September 21 with a cocktail reception at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre in Scarborough.

The Legacy of Care Society was created to honour donors of deferred gifts - bequests, gifts of life insurance and charitable gift annuities - during their lifetimes. Five of the Society's newest members were in attendance and received exclusive membership pins and specially designed stationery from Foundation Chair Judith Barker and Planned Giving committee chair Frank Ortencio. Several estates were also recognized and Dr. Romas Stas, RVHS Associate Chief of Staff gave the keynote address.

To see all of the photos from this year's event, please visit our Flickr page.

To learn how to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, in support of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering and Rouge Valley Centenary hospitals, contact Carole Chabot at 416-281-7462 or visit our Legacy of Care Society website.

The following are the members of the Legacy of Care Society:

June L. Abel &
Thomas Abel
Shiv Bansal
Carole Chabot
Mary L. Dodd
Janet Ecker
Siu Fok
Ian K. Hamilton
Raymond T. Hanson
Helen Hedge
Sandra Heggie
Amelia Hui
Mr. Hui
Alvin S. Klinck
Sujata Kotecha

Ivy Law
Rose Lotta

Sheldon H. Lush
Charles Mason

Eileen M. Mason
Debbie McGarry
Ann Moore
Gordon H. Moore
Doris Muckle
Bradley Offman
Frank Ortencio
James R. Pyke
Malcolm P. Robertson
Thérèse Roy
Betty Tipping
Eric Tipping
John Walker
Lorraine Walker
Dorothy E. Westney
Thomas R. Wheler

Barbara Whitchurch
Bernard Whitchurch

Estate of

Eric Campbell
Estate of

Shui Ying Cheng
Estate of John David
Kenneth Foxcroft
Estate of

Ann Luxmore
Estate of

David Moore
Estate of

Hjordis I. Stig
Estate of

Albert Theurer
Estate of

Dody Theurer
Estate of

Yuen N. Tong

Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic raises $150,000 for Image is Everything

2011-09-15T10:50:00.005-04:00

After the dust had settled on a beautiful day of 18 holes in the 2011 Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic Tuesday, event co-chairs, Jim Witty and Bill Collier, were excited to announce that this year’s tournament was a huge success having raised an amazing $150,000 in support of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital and its Image is Everything campaign.

“This is our 16th year and it is very exciting to continue such a successful tournament and through this to be able to make such a significant contribution to our local hospital,” says Mr. Collier. “The Image is Everything campaign has truly captured the imagination of this community, so we are pleased to be able to once again contribute tobringing an MRI unit to Ajax and Pickering."

This special occasion is also an opportunity for the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation to announce the recipient of the Howard Sokolowski Award, presented to an individual who has shown dedication to health care in the community. This year’s recipient is Sherry Robinson, a member of the Image is Everything campaign cabinet, and chair of the Community Committee for the campaign. Mrs. Robinson whole-heartedly agreed to take onthis busy role and, since then, her support and enthusiasm has been unfailing.

Under Sherry’s leadership, the Community Committee has raised more than $200,000 from Durham service clubs, businesses and community groups. And Sherry has personally attended many of the events and post-event photo opportunities on the campaign’s behalf. Her knowledge of the community, relationships within the community and passion for the hospital has benefitted RHVS Foundation and the Image is Everything campaign immeasurably.
“Sherry is a very deserving recipient and the Image is Everything campaign is very fortunate to have her involved,” says Mr. Witty. “Sherry’s enthusiasm and passion for bringing an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital have been contagious.”

Created in 2001, this award honours Howard Sokolowski, former CEO of Tribute Communities, and his long and distinguished history of volunteer service for Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering. Each year, Edward Falkenberg, a local Durham artist, creates a unique work of art for the Award, and this year’s piece was titled “Silence.”

The $150,000 raised at this year’s Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic brings the 16-year total to more than $2.3 million.

From left, Chad Hanna, Bill Collier, Lucy Stocco, Jim Witty, Mayor Dave Ryan, Mayor Steve Parish and Regional Chair Roger Anderson present the final fundraising total of $150,000 for the 2011 Mayors' Charity Golf Classic, Sept. 13.

To see pictures of the golf, click here. To see pictures of the dinner and award presentations, click here.

Poker players going All in for Hearts at Casino Rouge

2011-09-12T13:31:00.001-04:00

Excitement will wear a black tie to sit down at the poker table this October, ready to go all in for hearts at the tiff. Bell Lightbox, because when it comes to excitement, the name of the game is Casino Rouge.

Look for most of the action at the prestigious Oct. 14 event to be at the card tables, when 99 players vie to be the inaugural Texas Hold 'em champion at this unique fundraising event. Casino Rouge will also feature poker cash tables, blackjack, roulette, watching and learning from celebrity pro Chris Moneymaker and Poker After Dark announcer Ali Nejad, a jazz lounge, spa, exclusive cinema, cuisine by Oliver and Bonacini and more.

Organizers of the gala evening of chance and intrigue are excited to be able to open the doors to the tiff. Bell Lightbox, a venue that is attracting a great deal of attention in Toronto. “We are really fortunate to be able to hold our event at such an exclusive location,” says Casino Rouge co-chair, Dr. Ashok Mukherjee. “It is an amazing setting for what is going to be a sophisticated evening, on par with a night in Monte Carlo.”

Proceeds go to the Heart of It All campaign to purchase echocardiogram equipment for both Rouge Valley Health System sites.

Tickets are $350 each and a receipt is issued for the eligible portion of the price. A special opportunity awaits guests who want to “put their heart into it” and fundraise in support of the event: poker players who raise a minimum of $2,000 are eligible to be one of 9 players seated with World Series of Poker champion Chirs Moneymaker.

Visit www.casinorouge.ca for all of the details and ticket and fundraising information.

Irena Barker makes $10,000 personal gift to Heart of it All campaign

2011-09-09T15:58:00.005-04:00

When it comes to giving from the heart, Irena Barker sets quite an example to follow. The Pickering senior has chosen to make a $10,000 personal gift to the Heart of it All campaign to help purchase life-saving echocardiogram machines for the Rouge Valley Health System.

“Four-and-a-half years ago I visited Rouge Valley Centenary and they diagnosed that my heart was twice the normal size,” Ms. Barker says. “The echocardiogram played an important role in the diagnosis. I was only given three weeks to live, but here I am today. So this campaign is close to my heart, if you will pardon the pun.”

This significant donation to the campaign has members of the Heart of it All committee both excited and hopeful it will inspire more significant gifts in the months ahead.

“We think that if Ms. Barker’s generosity is as infectious as her spirit, this is the start of great success for the Heart of it All,” says Dr. Ram Vijayaraghavan, co-chair of the campaign.

The Heart of it All goal is to raise $500,000 to bring new, much-needed echocardiogram machines to both Rouge Valley Health System hospitals. The end result promises to be a much greater level of confidence for doctor and patient as the new machines provide the best possible clarity in the images of the heart and therefore the best diagnosis for the patient.

“Rouge Valley Health System cardiologists perform echocardiograms on

patients every day, and donations to this campaign will have a direct and positive impact on patient care once we are able to purchase the new machines,” says Dr. Paul Galiwango, co-chair of Heart of it All.

Although she’s not a doctor or a nurse, when it comes to health care Ms. Barker has a little more knowledge about how a hospital works than the average person. It comes from having spent more than her fair share of time in health facilities throughout her life.

That, undoubtedly, is a big part of the reason she decided to give a $10,000 personal gift to the Heart of it All campaign. Twice in her life, at an early age and then just 4-and-a-half years ago, she was advised by doctors that she only had weeks to live. But the determination of a mother “that wouldn’t let me die” and her own strength of will later, are the main reason she is here and full of life today.

She credits Dr. Amir Janmohammed (pictured here at left with Ms. Barker and Dr. Paul Galiwango) with saving her life, helping her to recover. She was diagnosed with having a heart twice it’s normal size and only operating at 10 per cent efficiency, she explains. As a result, she underwent surgery to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The device regulates irregular heart rhythms by sending an electrical impulse to the heart.

Ms. Barker describes her life’s philosophy very simply: “can’t” is not a part of her vocabulary. In fact, when she was a teacher of special education for 15 years in Scarborough, she taught her students that ‘can’t’ was a bad word.

“I would tell them to say ‘I’m having difficulty, but I’ll try’” she says.

It is a philosophy that has served her well. Although she is 80, you wouldn’t know it to see her or meet her. She looks like a woman in her early 60s and has a youthful personality that would make you guess even younger.

Ms. Barker explains she found out about the Heart of it All campaign during a visit to Centenary for one of her 6-month checkups for her ICD.

“I saw a pamphlet in the waiting room and of course, who’s in that room except the people that need these echocardiogram machines,” she says. “It wasn’t a quick decision. But if you can afford to give a gift like this, I think you should. And I like that my name will be recognized in a plaque in the cardiac department. It will make me smile to see that when I come here.”

Image is Everything donors celebrated, MR suite unveiled

2011-09-08T16:25:00.004-04:00

Jeff Hohenkerk, Director of Medical Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory
Services, centre, explains the special features of the MR suite,
Sept. 8, to campaign donors as part of a tour.

Yesterday was an amazing day for the Image is Everything campaign as many donors and volunteers visited the hospital for a special reception and tours of the new MR suite at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

The campaign cabinet for Image is Everything were able to thank all the fantastic and generous donors who 'put themselves in the picture' and helped bring an MRI to RVAP. Staff in the MR suite were on hand to describe the different areas of the department and explain all of the benefits of the space, along with show off the MRI itself. It was a rare glimpse of the machine as once it is in operation and the magnet is activated, the public will no longer be able to access the space without extensive medical clearance.

The new MRI will be open for business starting the week of September 26. This day would not have been possible without the community's support and campaign chair Lucy Stocco made that clear in an emotional speech thanking everyone, especially her son Spencer.

Please click here, to see photos of the new MR Suite.

Please click here, to see photos from the Image is Everything Campaign Donor Appreciation Event and MR Suite Tours

Please click here, to see photos from the Image is Everything Campaign Volunteer Appreciation Event

Real Estate Sales Representative offers amazing support for Buy a Bed campaign

2011-09-07T12:47:00.001-04:00

Eileen Amirian is a strong supporter of her community, but she doesn’t often look to her TV to stay in touch with what’s going on locally. So it is ironic that it was a morning news program that led her to become the newest partner of the Buy a Bed campaign at Rouge Valley Centenary hospital.

“It was the morning that City TV’s Breakfast Television was at the hospital for the bed-a-thon,” she explains. “I don’t usually watch TV, but that morning I was compelled to see what’s happening in the world.”

As a result, she learned all about Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s efforts to raise funds to purchase 100 new beds for Centenary. As a Sales Representative for HomeLife Bayview Realty Inc., Brokerage and actively involved in the community, Ms. Amirian felt she had something to offer the campaign, so she contacted Katherine Craine, Director, Major Gifts & Special Campaigns for RVHSF.

After discussing the possibilities, guided by her strong giving principles, Ms. Amirian offered to donate 10 per cent of her commission to the Buy a bed campaign.

“Helping people become homeowners and helping them to sell their home is the best job in the whole world, giving back to the community is the best feeling in the whole world,” Ms. Amirian says. “I’m really excited to be able to support the campaign this way and to help bring comfort to Rouge Valley Centenary patients, one bed at a time.”

For the Buy a Bed campaign, Ms. Craine says this is an exciting and unique opportunity.

“It’s a grass roots campaign, so this is a really good tie-in,” she says. “And I’m so excited that Eileen has committed to supporting us through to the end of the campaign next spring.”

Ms. Amirian says this offer makes sense for her because her clients often express their interest in supporting the community when considering where they want to live.

“There’s so many people out there with a good heart, who want to help a good cause when they can,” she says. “And buying a house is a good time to reach these people and inspire them with a way to support their community hospital.”

Aside from her passion to contribute as a member of the community, Ms. Amirian also has a personal reason why she supports Centenary. Her sister once needed the community hospital and she was pleased with the care she received.

For more information regarding Ms. Armirian’s generous contribution to the Buy a Bed campaign and to inquire about her services, visit her website at eileenamirian.com, or contact her at 416-737-1496 or via email at homes@eileenamirian.com.

Scarborough Fair Condominiums, Annual International Food Bazaar

2011-09-07T09:24:00.045-04:00

From left, Tommy Lee, Director (Scarborough Fair Condominiums) Roxanne James, MP Scarborough Centre, Lucy Perri, President (Scarborough Fair Condominiums) Heather Montague from the RVHSF, Brad Duguid, MPP Scarborough Centre, and Ken Montague.

The fine folks at Scarborough Fair Condominiums once again barbecued for a good cause, to raise money for the Buy a Bed Campaign. And thanks to raising $3,000 at this year's event, held Aug. 20, their two year total has reached $5,000, for Rouge Valley Centenary!

Lucy Perri, President of Scarborough Fair Condominiums, organized the fun event and the International Food Bazaar was a big hit with everyone who attended.

"Lucyand her crew have worked very hard to top up the funds they made last year andnow they have enough to 'Buy a Bed'," says Katherine Craine, Director, Major Gifts & Special Campaigns at RVHSF. "It is so inspiring to see what can be done in the community with the desire and drive to help their local hospital."

On behalf of Scarborough Fair Condominiums, a big thank you goes out to their donors: Atlas Overhead Door, Brookfield Residential Services Ltd., BrookRestoration, Fire Protection & Building Services, K.I.S. Construction,Pacific Paving, Source H20, Silverstone Landscaping, Superior Pool, Spa &Leisure Ltd., Vianna Roofing, Whiterose Janitorial. These companies have beensupporting Scarborough Fair Condominiums special events for the last eightyears.

Donation inspired by Newspaper coverage

2011-09-02T11:23:00.001-04:00

Lothar and Helen Witt.

When Helen Witt read about the arrival of the MRI machine at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, she instantly knew she wanted to support the Image is Everything campaign.

The Pickering woman said she read about the big MRI event on Aug. 29 in the Toronto Star and she decided that the $425 in coins she had collected over time would be put to good use helping her community hospital. Her and her husband Lothar visited the Foundation the week of the event to drop off the coins and they even got a sneak peak of the MRI in the suite.

Ms. Witt added that she understands the need for the MRI in west Durham because Lothar needed an MRI in 2003. "We wanted to thank Rouge Valley for the care" Ms. Witt said.

We got our MRI!

2011-08-29T14:29:00.005-04:00

(Aug. 29, 2011) WEST DURHAM - About 200 people waved Image is Everything campaign colours and signs and cheered the arrival of the MRI machine at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital Monday morning.

See a slideshow of all the activities from the day by clicking here.

The flatbed tractor trailer carrying the magnet and all of the parts of the machine arrived in Pickering after 7 a.m. and first visited the Pickering Rec Centre for a photo op with Mayor Dave Ryan and councillors Jennifer O'Connell and Peter Rodrigues, along with MPP Joe Dickson, with City staff, Lucy Stocco, Chair of the Image is Everything campaign and other supporters. See the arrival at Pickering here.

Volunteers and staff members, serving as "human-mile markers", waved and cheered at different spots along Hwy. 2 and Harwood Avenue as the MRI made its way to the hospital, led by a Durham Regional Police escort and the MRI float pulled by Eric Fowler of Digital Signs and Banners.

At the hospital, the large crowd cheered and held a paper chain finish line for the truck to drive through as it wade its way onto hospital property.

Local radio station CKDO Oldies, with show host Terry Johnston and the morning crew, were on site broadcasting live from the hospital. The broadcast started at 5:30 a.m. and throughout the morning updated their audience on the travels of the MRI and interviewed key people in the campaign, along with doctors and staff of the hospital's Digital Imaging Department.

The long and careful process of unpacking the MRI from the truck and lifting it off the flatbed with a crane ended in the early afternoon and construction crews spent the rest of the day carefully moving the machine into place to lift into its final resting space in the MRI suite.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's Image is Everything campaign would like to thank the community for coming out today. The outpouring of support is appreciated, but not a surprise to all involved based on the past 16 months of overwhelming community events and fundraisers held across west Durham.

To see all of the images of the big event, visit the Foundation's Flickr page here.

Less than 20 hours until MRIval!

2011-08-28T14:27:00.002-04:00

Can you feel the excitement building?

West Durham is all set to celebrate early Monday morning when the Rouge Valley Ajax-Pickering hospital MRI arrives. If you haven't heard already, you are invited to witness history when this amazing technology arrives sometime between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. at the Harwood Ave. hospital in Ajax.

Terry Johnston and the CKDO morning show will be there. Stay tuned right here for pics and tweets of all the events as they happen Monday. We'll be posting pictures at each milestone of the route.

Meridian presents $5,000 raised at annual golf tournament

2011-08-25T15:06:00.003-04:00

Representatives from Meridian Credit Union presented a cheque for $5,000 to the Rouge Valley Centenary hospital Buy a Bed Campaign on Aug. 25.

The gift represents the proceeds of an annual Meridian Golf Tournament and Nick Tsiogas, Commercial Deposit & Cash Management Specialist, far right, along with Zenon Iwachiw, Senior Director & Regional Manager, presented the cheque to Carole Chabot, left and Katherine Craine, accepting on behalf of the Foundation.

This gift represents one more bed on the way to the Rouge Valley Health System reaching its goal of 100 new beds for patient care at Rouge Valley Centenary. Thank you to all of the generous supporters from Meridian for their support!

CKDO is broadcasting live from RVAP on Aug. 29

2011-08-25T14:20:00.004-04:00

In just four short days, the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital will receive its much-needed MRI machine. Final adjustments were made this week prior to shipping the MRI machine and as of Monday morning, it will be travelling east down Hwy. 401 from Toronto to Durham Region.

If you can't be there, you can stay on top of all the details and the latest news by visiting www.rougeMRI.ca on Monday morning, starting at 5:30 a.m. There you will find a link to CKDO radio and Terry Johnston's morning show, to listen live. Terry and the team will be broadcasting from RVAP with updates throughout the morning on the truck's progress and interviewing some of the key people involved in the campaign and at the hospital.

Also, there will be regular updates at www.rougeMRI.ca throughout the morning via our Twitter feed to be hosted on the site and we will be posting pictures from several spots along the route so you can see the truck arriving in Pickering and travelling to Harwood Ave. to the hospital.

MRI magnet arrives Aug. 29: Be there to be part of the big day!

2011-08-25T11:33:00.000-04:00

As the sun rises on Monday, Aug. 29, a special parade will be making its way through Pickering and then Ajax, and a major milestone will be reached by the Image is Everything campaign.

That’s the day the massive magnet, the heart of the MRI machine, arrives at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. So the campaign team is pulling out all the stops to make the occasion a special one.

“We want this to be a community celebration,” says Lucy Stocco, Chair of the Image is Everything campaign. “We have been dreaming of this day for more than a year now and it’s so exciting to know the most important part of the machine will actually be in place before the summer is out!”

The community will be encouraged to come out to two different locations to cheer on the flat bed tractor-trailer carrying the massive magnet as it makes its way slowly from Toronto, through Pickering and then to Harwood Avenue in Ajax and its new home at the hospital, with a Durham Regional Police escort. Pickering residents can cheer the arrival at Pickering City Hall at approximately 8 a.m. In Ajax there will be a cheering section on Harwood, from Bayly Street all the way to the hospital as it arrives at about 8:30 a.m.

To learn more about the big event and how to get involved, keep an eye on the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation website, www.rougevalley.ca/rvhsf/ or call 905-683-2320, ext. 1501. Learn more about the campaign at www.rougeMRI.ca.

Six-year-old shows her love for her hospital!

2011-08-25T10:19:00.024-04:00

Miliana McCartney is the picture of cuteness!

Miliana McCartney knows how to quench a thirst!

The 6-year-old Pickering girl wanted to have a lemonade stand, so she decided to make it special by dedicating it to her community hospital. She chose to donate all the money she raised, plus the pennies from her piggybank, to the Fracture Clinic at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. Last year, she had a bright-pink arm cast, and she wanted to give something back to them.

Way to go Miliana, you are an inspiration to all young charity supporters!

Bartlett family, McDonald's, now at 3 beds for campaign

2011-08-24T14:54:00.001-04:00

The Bartlett family donated a second installment in their commitment to the Rouge Valley Centenary hospital Buy a Bed campaign on Aug. 24, presenting a cheque for $8,265.

The gift brings their total to more than $15,000 over two years, representing 3 beds for the Buy a Bed campaign. Presenting the cheque, at centre, are Sandy and Dale Bartlett and their daughter Kristin. Accepting the cheque was Toronto Councillor Paul Ainslie, co-chair of the Buy a Bed Campaign, along with, Foundation staff Ros Sagar-Lal, Carole Chabot and Katherine Craine.

Thank you to the Bartlett's for their ongoing commitment and generosity to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation! They are helping to bring comfort to our patients, one bed at a time!

Image is Everything visits APBoT Networking Breakfast

2011-08-09T11:40:00.002-04:00

The Image is Everything Campaign visited the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade's Aug. 9 Networking Breakfast as an event sponsor and brought some good news to the business leaders on hand at the Pickering Legion, Branch 606.

Community Campaign Chair, Sherry Robinson, owner of Spa Sedona and a past president of APBoT, told everyone about the exciting event happening on Monday, Aug. 29, when the MRI magnet will arrive at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Along with describing her reasons for getting involved in the campaign, along with thanking many of the campaign supporters, including Ian McCutcheon of ServiceMaster and Myrna Picotte of the Pickering Legion, Sherry also talked about how everyone is encouraged to participate in the big event.

"Come out to City Hall at 8 a.m. in Pickering or be at the hospital between 8:30 to 9 a.m. to cheer on the magnet as it makes its way to its permanent home," she said. "We're really going to make this a celebration and you can also listen to the magnet's progress from Toronto to Ajax by listening to Terry Johnston on CKDO all that morning."

Visit www.rougeMRI.ca leading up to Aug. 29 to stay up-to-date on the arrival of the magnet.

Sir Albert Campbell CI supports Buy a Bed campaign

2011-08-08T14:36:00.001-04:00

Laxitha Kathirgamanathan of Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute dropped in to Rouge Valley Centenary hospital on Aug. 8 to present a donation on behalf of the school.

The $200 was donated to the hospital's Buy a Bed campaign from a charity club Laxitha started at her school. Their fundraisers included selling pizza and pop for lunch and selling Mango Milkshakes. They also did a Jellybean count as well as a raffle for movie tickets.

Thank you to Laxitha and the students of Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute for your support of your community hospital!

Guild Alive with Culture - an Arts Festival

2011-08-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

A little rain, but a beautiful weekend in the park

The Buy a Bed campaign team participated in the Guild Alive with Culture - an Arts Festival, at the Guild Inn Gardens, Aug. 6 & 7.

Representing the Buy a Bed campaign team were many dedicated volunteers, including Gord and Ann Moore, Gary Ellis and Wendy Blakely, Millie Tavener, Lorraine Walker, Shiv Bansel, and more, along with several staff members of the Foundation.

Thank you to all who supported the booth as a volunteer and to those in the community who dropped by to say 'hi' and learn more about the campaign.

2011 RVHSF Golf Classic

2011-08-04T14:51:00.001-04:00

On Thursday August 4, 2011, golfers played 18 holes of golf at the beautiful Sleeping Hollow Golf Club in Stouffville, all in support of Rouge Valley Centenary's Buy A Bed Campaign.

During the dinner, the event sponsors presented a cheque for $15,000 to the Buy A Bed co-chairs, Paul and Janet Ainslie.

Also, Terri Toms and Dale Bartlett - franchise owners of McDonalds Restaurants in Scarborough - were recognized for their fundraising efforts and support of Rouge Valley Centenary, including the 2010 McHappy Day that raised $40,000 for a new portable ultrasound machine for the Emergency Department and new beds for the Buy A Bed Campaign.

View all of the photos from the fun event at the Foundation Flickr page, www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets.

OPG once again shows tremendous support for its community

2011-08-02T13:38:00.001-04:00

Ontario Power Generation's Pickering Nuclear celebrated its 40th Anniversary of generating electricity on July 29 and invited the Image is Everything campaign to be part of the event.

As is so often the case with OPG, the community-driven company used their special occasion to raise funds for a local cause and for this event chose the Image is Everything campaign, which has enjoyed great support from OPG throughout the campaign --through volunteer and financial contributions. This fundraiser follows a significant $300,000 gift to the campaign announced at the RVHSF Gala this past March.

Pictured are some of the OPG staff on hand at the celebration collecting donations for the Image is Everything campaign. The anniversary was celebrated on the grounds of OPG's Pickering site at the base of Brock Road in Pickering at Lake Ontario.

The Pickering Nuclear generating station has provided a long standing contribution to the economy and people of Ontario during its four decades of operation. Throughout its long history, Pickering Nuclear and its employees have remained faithful to their core goals -- generating safe and reliable electricity; contributing to the growth of Ontario; operating in an environmentally responsible manner; and enhancing the quality of life of the community where they operate. Learn more at www.opg.com.

Volunteer Services gift brings Broda Chairs to 9th Floor at RVC

2011-07-19T13:47:00.005-04:00

The 9th Floor team at Rouge Valley Centenary welcomed representatives from the hospital's Volunteer Services team on July 19, to show them the new Broda Chairs their recent gift purchased for the patients.

The chairs make life better for patient and staff alike, making it easier to move patients and get them around the floor in comfort. These special chairs allow for patients to sit up much easier and to be comfortable for any length of time. These are critical elements in the recovery process.

Nurse Manager Lynn Henderson extended the appreciation of everyone on the floor for the generosity of Volunteer Services and along with the help of several of the staff, they demonstrated the use of the chairs and the many ways it improves quality of care.

$100,000 from the CIty of Pickering

2011-07-12T10:39:00.001-04:00

On July 11, 2011, volunteers from the Image is Everything campaign attended the City of Pickering's Council meeting to receive a $100,000 cheque from the Mayor and councillors.

This gift is towards the City of Pickering's $500,000 pledge to the Image is Everything campaign that raising money to bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Lucy Stocco, campaign chair, thanked the City for their commitment to the campaign and for helping to ensure that their residents have the best health care close to home.

3rd annual Dr. Craig Jones Memorial Golf Tournament

2011-06-29T10:37:00.005-04:00

Pictured: From left Jim Ward, Katrina Carpenter (sister) Bella Carson (mom), Jim Boyko and Dr. Jon Hummel.

On Monday, June the 27th, 90 eager golfers gathered at Scarboro Golf and Country Club for the 3rd annual Dr. Craig Jones Memorial Golf Tournament. Golfing conditions couldn’t have been better this year- the sun was shining, the breeze was calm and the greens were groomed!

The day was complete with mini competitions such as Beat the Pro and a Hole in One challenge; along with a silent auction, a barbeque lunch and a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the Scarboro Golf and Country Club.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation extends a special thank you to the tournament’s sponsors- including platinum sponsor, Scotiabank Group; Hole in One sponsor, Sears Travel , the Scarborough Town Centre; North York Rehabilitation Centre, the Carson Family, RVHS Gynecology Department, Dr. Jon Hummel, Dr. K.C. Moran, Centenary Anesthesia Group, Dr. Louis Huang, and RVHS Division of Otolaryngology. This year, the tournament raised a total of more than $15,000 thanks to the generous support of teams, sponsors and donors.

See all of the photos from the event at the Foundation Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/.

Margaret Birch celebrated with anniversary and birthday parties

2011-06-27T10:18:00.004-04:00

Rouge Valley Health System Foundation was thrilled to celebrate two very special occasions, the 25th Anniversary of the Margaret Birch Wing and the 90th Birthday of Mrs. Margaret Birch, in the presence of The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on Thursday, June 23.

A devoted MPP for Scarborough East for 13 years, Margaret Birch had the distinction of becoming the first woman appointed to the Ontario Cabinet. A dedicated volunteer leader in the community, she was instrumental in finding the land for what is now Rouge Valley Centenary and seeing the hospital open to serve the rapidly growing populations of east Scarborough and Durham in 1967. When Centenary needed to expand, a new wing was built and in honour of Mrs. Birch’s service to the hospital and the community, the Centenary Board named this new facility the Margaret Birch Wing when it opened in June of 1986.

The hospital’s first expansion, the Margaret Birch Wing originally housed Continuing Care and Rehabilitation, a new Emergency Department, a new Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit and upgrades to Diagnostic Imaging. In the intervening years, the wing has added 2 catheterization labs (including the province’s first stand-alone angioplasty suite), an MRI machine, breast imaging centre, and laboratory space.

The 25th anniversary celebrations were held in the Margaret Birch Wing lobby of Rouge Valley Centenary, and many special guests attended to help mark the milestone events. The formal programme concluded with the unfurling of a 25th anniversary banner at the entrance to the wing and the cutting of a birthday cake. A strawberry social was held on the grounds after the official programme is completed.

To view photos from this event, please visit

Official Celebrations - gallery 1
Official Celebrations - gallery 2

Birthday Cocktail Party

Scotiabank celebrates the new Digital Mammography at RVAP

2011-06-24T10:58:00.001-04:00

On Thursday June 23, 2011, local Scotiabank branch managers visited Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital to learn how Scotiabank's gift to the Vital Links campaign has translated into the latest digital mammography technology in the new Women's Imaging Centre.

Dr. Raymond Goh, Chief of Radiology, Jackie Yigitoz, RVAP DI Manager, and front line tech Betty updated our guests on the new developments within Women's Imaging and toured them of the new mammography space.

Digital mammography at RVAP now allows for shorter scan times for our patients, 30% less radiation, as well as less chances of having return for new images.

All this at your local community hospital!

See all of the photos from this event here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626911632213/

Fernandez Family supports an MRI for Ajax

2011-06-22T11:38:00.004-04:00

The Image is Everything campaign received a special tribute donation recently when Greg Fernandez brought in a cheque for $500 from the Fernandez Family, in honor and memory of their mother.

The family holds an annual event that raises funds for charity that supports causes in their native Guyana. Their mom was a huge supporter of the church among other activities and her family has honored her memory with an annual golf tournament.

This year $500 was raised and it was decided that it would be donated to Image is Everything, to help bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Breakfast TV drops in on Buy a Bed campaign Bed-a-thon

2011-06-20T11:08:00.004-04:00

The bright lights of Breakfast Television returned to Rouge Valley Centenary on the morning of June 20, to be a part of The Great Margaret Birch Wing Bed-a-thon where a number of hospital staff took part in a sleepover party in the hospital’s Margaret Birch Wing lobby to raise funds for the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's Buy a Bed campaign.

See all the fun in our youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HpvGvvbOA.

This group of adventurous Buy a Bed campaign supporters represented four department teams which each spent the night in one of the campaign's race beds to raise funds to help purchase new beds for Rouge Valley Centenary as part of ‘Bed, Breakfast and Beyond: The Great Margaret Birch Wing Bed-a-thon’.

Breakfast Television’s Jennifer Valentyne was on hand to give everyone a wakeup call and join in on some of the fun of a bed-making contest and talk to all of the participants and campaign volunteers, supporters and sponsors.

See all of the pictures from the night's activities here: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/

See all of the photos from the Breakfast TV visit here: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/

Highland Creek bed races made for excitement at Heritage Festival

2011-06-20T10:03:00.003-04:00

Back by popular demand, Rouge Valley Centenary’s race beds burned rubber (June 18) as teams competed in the 2nd Annual Highland Creek Heritage Festival Bed Races, in support of the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s Buy a Bed campaign.

For the second straight year teams pushed hospital ‘race beds’ down Old Kingston Road in an attempt to win the champions’ trophy, a highlight of the festival. The race teams come from local businesses, service clubs, police, EMS and hospital services, all of whom have generously given their time and collected donations to support the campaign to buy new beds for Rouge Valley Centenary.

The Toronto Police 42 Division were the fastest team and Toronto Community News had the highest fundraising total.

Races are divided into heats, with teams pushing the colourful hospital beds down a 200-metre track on Old Kingston Road, between Watson Street and Morrish Road. Heat winners competed in the final for the championship.

The Foundation would like to thank the wonderful sponsors for this bed race: Toronto Community News; Karl Marshal- State Farm Insurance; Teamsters Joint Council No. 52; Centennial College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture; and Highland Creek Heritage Festival 2011.

See all of the photos from this event here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626878325503/

A special thank you to Staff Sergeant David Rydzik for organizing the 42 Division team and Sergeant Bernard Hawco (seen above receiving trophy), from Ros and Katherine at the Foundation.

Special notice! Sign up for WagJag before June 24!

2011-06-17T15:47:00.003-04:00

The Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign is excited to announce a special promotion by our partners at Wag Jag and Toronto Community News!

Do you WagJag? If not – now is the time to sign up! By following this link and registering (FREE!) you not only help the Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign, you also gain access to a world of awesome discounts.

What is you ask?

WagJag.com brings you amazing deals on the coolest events, restaurants, fashion finds, activities and adventures. They can deliver great offers because they assemble a group of "WagJaggers" with combined purchasing power (buying in numbers = better pricing… everyone knows that!).

By registering FREE through this Buy a Bed link before June 24, you are supporting the campaign. That's because Toronto Community News and WagJag are donating $3 to the campaign for every registration coming from here at the Buy a Bed website!

It's a classic win-win for the campaign and you! Sign up now for notices of great discounts (did we mention registration is FREE!) and Buy a Bed receives a donation.

APC exhibits photos at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital

2011-06-16T11:48:00.002-04:00

Two front-line staff members at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital have brought their hobby to work and the result is a picture-perfect display for patients, visitors and colleagues to enjoy.

Alma Kelley, an Operating Room nurse, and Ron Pereux, a Radiology Technologist in the Diagnostic Imaging Department are both members of the Ajax Photography Club as student and teacher, respectively. Together, they and several other club members donated photographs to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital to display in a waiting area in the new West Lobby.

To see more photos of the photographers and their work, visit the Foundation Flickr page.

Formed just last year, the Ajax Photography Club boasts more than 60 members, many of them at the novice level. Club members are from different backgrounds but all have benefitted during the last 12 months from club-organized workshops and outings exploring a variety of imagery, from lighting to landscapes.

“The selection of photographs cover a wide range of subjects, and I hope that the patients and visitors to our hospital will enjoy them all. Thank you to Rouge Valley Health System Foundation for helping us display our photographs,” – Alma Kelley.

Alma will continue to work with the club to change the display every three to four months so that Rouge Valley patients, staff and volunteers have an ever-changing photographic landscape in the hospital.

To join the Ajax Photography Club, visit www.ajaxphotographyclub.com.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 614 Is All Heart!

2011-06-06T10:52:00.003-04:00

Two members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 614 paid a special visit to Rouge Valley Centenary hospital on June 3 to bring support to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation Heart of it All campaign.

Branch 614 in Scarborough dedicated $4,000 from its Poppy Fund to the campaign, to purchase new echocardiogram machines for the Cardiac Diagnostic Units of the RVHS hospital system.

Accepting the cheque was campaign co-chair Dr. Ram Vijayaraghavan with cardiac staff and campaign committee members Sue Andrew and Wendy Nagy (behind) and Foundation Vice President Carole Chabot (right).

For more information on the campaign, visit www.heartofitall.ca.

Ajax Legion proud to support Image is Everything campaign

2011-06-03T16:18:00.001-04:00

The Ajax Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion became the latest branch to support the Image is Everything campaign by presenting a $10,000 gift last week.

The gift was presented during the Legion's June 2 meeting. The President of the Branch, Bruce Sharpe, along with members of the executive, spoke of the importance an MRI for Ajax during the meeting. They presented the cheque to Image is Everything Community Campaign Chair Sherry Robinson and committee member Myrna Picotte, along with RVHS Foundation Vice President Tracy Paterson.

To date, Durham Region branches of the Royal Canadian Legion have donated more than $50,000 towards the campaign. Members and supporters of the Royal Canadian Legion know that bringing an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital will help ensure that there is best health care available close to home.

Students buy into need for beds at community hospital

2011-06-03T16:16:00.001-04:00

When it comes to health care, the students of Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School are proving they know the importance of a comfortable bed in the healing process, bringing a donation of $1,000 to the Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation welcomed seven students from the Catholic Secondary School who brought the impressive donation, a result of the entire student body participating in charitable giving. Collected in just one month, this gift represents the dedication of the students to supporting charities in the community. Thanks to the ongoing generous support of the community, through efforts like this, the goal of purchasing 100 new hospital beds for RVC gets closer and closer every day.

Ethan D’Mello, Student Council leader at Pope John Paul II C.S.S., along with many students from the high school, made monetary donations over the month to raise the funds.

“We are happy to support our local hospital,” said Ethan. “Having everyone participate this way shows how much the students at our school care about health care in our community.”

Ajax Squash Club supports the Image is Everything campaign

2011-05-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

On May 30, 2011, the Ajax Squash Club presented the Image is Everything campaign with a cheque for over $1,400.

Meeting Monday nights at the Ajax Community Centre right by Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, the club members will have a bird's eye view of the construction of the MRI Suite.

See more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626729651557/

Picture perfect garden party

2011-05-29T13:49:00.003-04:00

Kathy and Todd McCarthy of Ajax hosted a Garden Party on Saturday, May 28, at their Ajax home. The highlight of the spring social season, the event had the feel of a traditional English garden party, with guests enjoying an afternoon of high tea, live entertainment, garden-themed silent and live auctions and other draws during the event.

It was definitely an event to remember and the McCarthys have 'Put themselves in the picture!'

An MRI machine for Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital gets closer and closer to reality thanks to community support and fundraising activities like this.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.rougeMRI.ca.

Everyone’s a winner at STC Corporate Bed Races

2011-05-28T15:21:00.005-04:00

What an amazing success!

Thank you to all of the participants, sponsors and supporters for joining Rouge Valley Centenary’s Corporate Bed Race on May 27 at Scarborough Town Centre. See all the pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/.

To see more of the fun, watch a video of the event on the Foundation's YouTube channel.

Pledges reached more than $35,000 and the total is expected to climb higher yet as final numbers are tallied.

We were thrilled about our partners in this event, with Scarborough Town Centre and Toronto Community News helping to make this a special event. Of course all of our sponsors were amazing, including East-Court Ford Lincoln, Bell, Mittman Carriers, Scarboro Golf and Country Club, Alliance Collision and Meridian. Special thanks to emcee Rick Kunst who had us laughing and cheering with the action all day.

Thank you to all the participating teams: Toronto Community News, Meridian Fab 5, McDonald’s, Scarboro Golf & Country Club (Highest pledges), STC Bed Rocks, MALLy Maids, Moulon Rouge (Race runners-up), Operation Bedridden (Race Champions), Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Assoc., Rouge Valley Surgical, Bell, Best Buy, Under-Covers Security (winners of best dressed) and RVHS Foundation.

Three raffles for prizes were held after the race and the winners were Dr. Jayson Dool, Jonathan Pua and Dylan Welsh.

Now the Buy a Bed campaign committee has its eyes set on Saturday, June 18, and the return of the Highland Creek Heritage Festival Bed Races. For more information or to register a team for June 18, contact Ros Sagar-Lal, at 416-281-7463 or via email at rsagar-lal@rougevalley.ca.

RCL South Oshawa Branch supports the Image is Everything campaign

2011-05-28T11:14:00.002-04:00

On May 29th, 2011, Branch #43 (South Oshawa) of the Royal Canadian Legion presented the Image is Everything campaign with a $10,000 cheque.

To date, Legion branches in Durham Region have donated over $50,000 to the campaign to help bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Special thanks to Myrna Picotte.

See more photos here:

Image is Everything campaign well received at Durham Region Council

2011-05-27T23:04:00.002-04:00

Volunteers were in the audience giving moral support to Image is Everything campaign members as they presented at Durham Regional Council on May 25.

Making a request for $1.5 million in the 2012 budget, to support both the IIE campaign and the Cardiac program at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, Drs Romas Stas, Mark Prieditis and Joe Ricci received support from council members.

The request is now in the hands of regional staff to be evaluated and follow the next steps in procedure for the 2012 Durham budget. Learn more about the campaign to bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital at www.rougeMRI.ca.

Claremont Antes Up

2011-05-24T10:45:00.001-04:00

Jeff Martell and Paul Carruthers, both long-time residents of Claremont, have lots of energy and enthusiasm combined with a ‘get ‘er done’ attitude.

Jeff and Paul regularly run a Texas Hold Em Poker Night at the Community Centre in Claremont—and donate the proceeds to local charities. On April 15th, the event was dedicated to the MRI Campaign, and raised $1,023.70. Thank you!

In photo: Debbie Andersen, member of the Image is Everything Community Committee, accepts the funds from the event.

Young support for Buy a Bed campaign

2011-05-17T16:34:00.002-04:00

Young Anjuli Mathur, 6, made a surprise visit to the RVHS Foundation office at Centenary recently to donate the proceeds of her own personal fundraiser.

She donated money collected at her lemonade stand and decided to put it towards the Foundation's Buy a Bed campaign. Her mother, Swasti, is a member of staff at the hospital.

We look forward to hearing more from Anjuli in the future. She is already planning her next lemonade stand fundraiser, she told us.

McHappy Day supports Buy a Bed campaign

2011-05-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

On May 11, McDonald’s restaurants in Scarborough joined more than 1,400 restaurants across the country to celebrate the 18th McHappy Day. Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s Buy a Bed campaign will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.

On McHappy Day, $1 from every Big Mac® sandwich, McMuffin® sandwich and Happy Meal® sold, is donated to local children’s charities across the country. In six Scarborough-area restaurants, partial proceeds were being earmarked for the Buy a Bed campaign to purchase new hospital beds for Rouge Valley Centenary.

“As a business owner in Scarborough, I feel strongly about supporting our local community hospital,” said Dale Bartlett, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “Rouge Valley Centenary deserves all of the support it receives, and this campaign will benefit our customers and our staff because many of them count on this hospital for their care.”

To help celebrate this special day, local celebrities appeared at the following local McDonald’s restaurants for special events to help raise money for their local community hospital.
Port Union Rd./Hwy. 2; Malvern Town Centre; Markham/Finch; Walmart and Markham/Progress.

McDonald’s restaurant owners, school board officials, Foundation staff and volunteers, as well as local politicians, attended at various times throughout the day to serve food and help with activities.

See all the photos from the day at our Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/

Artists bring spring to RVAP hall

2011-05-12T10:47:00.000-04:00

Community Artists have brought a touch of spring to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, with a new display of paintings.

Located outside the Fracture Clinic at the west entrance, the amateur artists have donated their works for the season, and hope that patients, visitors and staff are cheered by the new scenery.

Begun in December 2010, this is the second exhibition by this group at RVAP.

Special thanks to OR nurse Alma Kelley for organizing this project.

See all of the photos of the artwork and most of the artists themselves at our Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/

The Legacy of Care Society

2011-05-08T15:22:00.005-04:00

When the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation first conceived the idea of creating the Legacy of Care Society, it was with people such as John Walker in mind. The dedicated community member and hospital donor is exactly the type of person the Society was created to honour.

Mr. Walker has a strong personal connection to the Rouge Valley Health System, and he is very willing to share his story and the experience that has made him such a solid supporter.

“There is no way that I could ever forget being rushed to Rouge Valley emergency that night after having a heart attack.” Says Mr. Walker. “It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. Even with my wife, Lorraine, at my side, calmly explaining everything that was going on, using her 50 years of experience as a nurse to comfort me, it was hard to be brave. But the amazing doctors and nurses at Rouge Valley saved my life.”

The incident happened many years ago, before the new cardiac programs came along, that offer an even higher level of care for patients today. But even back then, the team at Rouge Valley got everything under control quickly and analyzed Mr. Walker’s condition and took the actions necessary to help him.

Not long after, reflecting on what might have been if not for the hospital, the Walkers came to a decision.

“Without having Rouge Valley so close to my home, I am convinced I would not have survived my heart attack,” he explains. “It was after that experience that Lorraine and I decided to name Rouge Valley in our will. Some people may think it sounds a little old-fashioned, but I just felt that they literally saved me and I wanted to recognize that in a meaningful way.”

To explain it more precisely, the Legacy of Care Society was created to honour donors of deferred gifts - that is bequests, gifts of life insurance and charitable gift annuities. Too often in the past the RVHS Foundation has not been aware that a donor has made a deferred gift until it hears from the estate and it is too late to thank the donor in person. John Walker is among the Society’s inaugural members.

“Through the Society, the foundation hopes to connect with, and suitably recognize and thank, these remarkable donors during their lifetimes,” says Carole Chabot, Vice-President of Development for the Foundation. “This is so important because these legacy gifts will contribute to the well-being of thousands of people who will be depending on Rouge Valley Health System's two hospitals for their care in the future.”

Planned Giving committee chair Frank Ortencio heads up a team of volunteers who meet regularly throughout the year to manage efforts to promote and encourage planned gifts for Rouge Valley. He points out that no matter what reason motivates a donor to support the hospital with a legacy gift, that commitment deserves recognition.

“Having the ability to recognize and trumpet such generosity is important not only because we appreciate the members of our Legacy of Care Society. It is also an opportunity to inspire others to follow suit,” he says.

For the Walkers, the knowledge that their bequest is flexible enough to support whatever the hospital’s highest priorities are at the time, is reassuring.

“We set it up so that our bequest can be put toward whatever the hospital might need, whether it’s new equipment, a brand-new piece of technology, or it can even be used toward a renovation or education fund,” Mr. Walker explains. “After all, who can predict what the future might bring for our growing community!”

Mr. Walker also explained that once he decided to leave a bequest to Rouge Valley in his will, making the arrangements was straightforward.

“We simply talked to our lawyer about it when we updated our will, so it really didn’t take any extra time or money to do,” he says. “We even discovered that there are certain tax benefits to making a gift this way. I am happy that I get to decide how my money is spent, rather than the government.”

If you or someone you know is looking for guidance in making a planned gift, or if you have any questions about remembering Rouge Valley in your will, or creating an endowment fund, please feel free to contact Carole Chabot at 416-281-7462 or via email at cchabot@rougevalley.ca. And be sure to visit our website, www.rougevalley.ca/RVHSF.

Celebrating the Auxiliary's contribution to Women's Imaging Centre

2011-05-04T09:49:00.001-04:00

On May 3, Rouge Valley Health System Foundation celebrated the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering, for their contribution to the the Women's Imaging Centre at the hospital.

The Auxiliary's $1 million gift to the department helped make it possible, and volunteers were thrilled to see their contribution turned into reality.

In his speech, Gord Simmonds, Chair of the Vital Links Campaign, said, "Thank you to all the members of the Auxiliary who over the years have made this hospital great; who have raised their funds dollar by dollar by selling thousands of raffle tickets, thousands of cakes, and thousands of books; who have been a strong presence for our patients and visitors; who have been a continuing source of support for our staff.

"Your constant leadership and generosity for every campaign the Foundation undertakes is an inspiration for others to follow suit. On behalf of my fellow volunteers of the Vital Links campaign and Rouge Valley’s Foundation staff, I applaud every member of the Auxiliary, both past and present, for providing such an excellent example of good corporate citizenship. Your support is a testament to the faith and loyalty you have for this hospital and our community, and I think your long wait to see this redevelopment completed has been rewarded."

To see all of the photos from this special event, please vivit the Foundation's Flickr page, www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/.

Will and Kate look great in a Buy a Bed race bed!

2011-05-02T10:41:00.002-04:00

April showers bring May flowers. That's what we are counting on here at the Foundation this month as May arrives, and with it a very special event for the Buy a Bed campaign.

Campaign volunteers braved cool temperatures and a little rain, but still had an amazing time at Albert Campbell Square in Scarborough, in the shadow of the Scarborough Town Centre, teamed up with Centennial College's hospitality program to celebrate the campaign, using the Royal Wedding as our theme. We even had our own Will and Kate on hand! See all the photos at www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/.

Important to note is that we are now just mere weeks away from the first ever Corporate Bed Race at Scarborough Town Centre, happening on Friday, May 27.

The Foundation is very excited to partner with the Town Centre for this event and race day is going to be a great time for everyone involved. It will be run on Borough Drive from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and spots are filling up fast, so act quickly, because there is only room for 16 teams. Visit buyabed.ca to get involved.

Our sponsors to date include, Toronto Community News, East-Ford Lincoln (pit crew), and Bell. Additional sponsorships are still available.

Whether you sign up a team, sign up as a sponsor or want to come out and watch the fun and cheer on the racers, your support for this Buy a Bed campaign event is appreciated. Call 416-281-7119 or email kcraine@rougevalley.ca to inquire how you can be involved.

Fast-track cardiac program celebrates successful first year

2011-04-29T11:59:00.000-04:00

Rouge Valley celebrated the one-year anniversary of its fast-track emergency cardiac care program — also known as Code STEMI — on April 28.

The celebration took place on the cardiac rehabilitation track on the 11th floor at RVC. The Rouge Valley cardiac care team was joined by staff from the partnering organizations in this regional program, including representatives from the Central East Local Health Integration Network, The Scarborough Hospital, Lakeridge Health, and Durham Emergency Medical Services (Toronto Emergency Medical Services, which is also a part of this collaboration, was not able to be present).

The event featured a personal account by Code STEMI patient Gary McCormack (at right, cutting a specially-made cake for the celebration). He spoke about his experience while thanking Rouge Valley, partnering doctors and staff members for saving his life last December. The 59-year-old Bowmanville resident was interviewed by Rogers Durham Cable TV. View part of that interview with him on Rouge Valley’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1VEC3FqoHQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL.

During the event, a demonstration of the Code STEMI process was also performed to show all of the vital teamwork that is involved in providing heart attack patients with the cardiac treatment they need, as quickly as possible. The gold standard is to get patients who have presented with a heart attack in the community or at one of the partnering hospitals to the catheterization lab at RVC for a coronary angioplasty within a 90-minute window. View the Code STEMI demo online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=89uyCAuMhhw.

And click here to view photos from the celebration: www.flickr.com/photos/rougevalley/sets/72157626607147044/.

For more information about our fast-track emergency cardiac care program, check out these links on our website:
* Code STEMI web page -- http://www.rougevalley.ca/code-stemi
* April 21, 2011 news release -- http://www.rougevalley.ca/latest/celebrating-fast-track-cardiac-care
* May 20, 2010 news release, -- http://www.rougevalley.ca/latest/faster-cardiac-services-in-durham-to-save-lives
* February 2, 2010 news release -- http://www.rougevalley.ca/latest/ce-lhin-approves-life-saving-cardiac-program

Mittman Carriers gets the race beds moving!

2011-04-22T13:12:00.000-04:00

When it came time to get Buy a Bed race beds to their race course destination last year, these heavy beds proved to be a bit of a problem. But not once Mittman Carriers got involved.

Their help made it possible to participate in the Highland Creek Heritage Festival in 2010. This year they have teamed up with the Buy a Bed Campaign officially as a sponsor to move the beds for events like the Scarborough Town Centre anniversary bed races coming up on May 27. Learn more about the event or sign up a team by visiting www.buyabed.ca.

St. Andrews Presbyterian is 'in the Picture'

2011-04-20T14:01:00.002-04:00

Members of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian 3Cs Monday morning group gathered on April 18 as usual, but they had a special presentation to make to the Image is Everything campaign, represented by Heather Montague.

The group, along with the support of their pastor, presented a gift of $1,000 to the campaign. The gift was a result of following member Marina Hromadka's example, also on hand, who donated $500 personally to the campaign to bring an MRI to Ajax and Pickering hospital.

The Rouge Valley Health System would like to thank these generous donors for supporting the Image is Everything campaign. They have put themselves 'in the picture!'

Auxiliary and hospital volunteers recognized with volunteer awards

2011-04-13T10:38:00.004-04:00

The RVAP Auxiliary and other hospital volunteers were among those recognized with volunteer awards by the Town of Ajax Civic Awards event on Tuesday, April 12.

The Foundation is very proud of the Auxiliary, a truly dedicated group of volunteers who give selflessly to the hospital and simply make it a better place to be, thanks to their efforts. The Auxiliary received the Community Heritage Award for volunteerism, presented by Councillor Pat Brown.

See the pictures from the awards ceremony at our flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626490023272/

There you will see several hospital volunteers, new and past winners of Civic Awards that were on hand. Along with representatives of the Auxiliary, Image is Everything Campaign cabinet member and community super-volunteer John G. Smith accepted awards. Mr. Smith earned the particularly prestigious Ajax Civic Award, presented by Mayor Steve Parish.

Here is the description provided at the awards for the Auxiliary's selection as the Heritage Award recipient:

As one of our long standing community volunteer organizations, the Auxiliary not only contributes over 41,500 volunteer hours annually for the hospital, but it is also passionate about sharing its story with the community - from its meager beginnings to the organization it is today - thus keeping history and heritage alive for future generations. It is not uncommon to meet an Auxiliary member who has volunteered for over 40 years, and can share how the organization has evolved over the years. In 2010 alone, 5 volunteers were recognized for 50 years of service to the organization. The Auxiliary has maintained extensive scrapbooks over the years, acting as the informal archivists for the hospital, and participate in many community events and interviews to share their history and support of the hospital with the public. They were also active in contributing information to our history book “A Town Called Ajax”. Each year the Auxiliary attends 6 local high school convocations to distribute bursaries to 18 high school students who will be attending university in the medical profession. Going above and beyond this generous contribution, they take the time to meet with the students and their families to share stories about the Auxiliary as well as the importance of volunteering in the community and giving back. Ajax is proud to have a group of long standing, dedicated, community volunteers whose commitment, passion and generosity not only assist in terms of support and philanthropy, but through their experiences and actions, keep history alive for generations to come.

New 'echo' machines to improve cardiac care

2011-04-08T12:19:00.004-04:00

See a video of the event here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kGjtAMzodw

Heart of it All campaign to raise funds to purchase much-needed new technology

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation launched its newest fundraising effort on April 7^th, unveiling the Heart of it All campaign, to purchase new echocardiogram machines for the Cardiac Diagnostic Units of the RVHS hospital system.

“This new technology will make a big difference for patient care at both hospital sites,” said Dr. Ram Vijayaraghavan, co-chair of the campaign. “The improved images these machines can provide, over our current technology, will allow us to diagnose heart disease with greater accuracy.”

The Heart of it All campaign goal is to raise $500,000 to bring new, much-needed echocardiogram machines to both Rouge Valley Health System hospitals. The end result promises to be a much greater level of confidence for doctor and patient as the new machines provide the best possible clarity in the images of the heart and therefore the best diagnosis for the patient.

“As one of the Rouge Valley Health System cardiologists performing echocardiograms on patients everyday, I can assure the public that their support of this endeavour is greatly appreciated, and will have a direct positive impact on patient care,” added Dr. Paul Galiwango, co-chair of the campaign. “A gift to the Heart of it All effort will truly Echo a Lifetime.”

The campaign launch was held in conjunction with the grand-opening of the newly opened Cardiac Diagnostics Unit at the Ajax and Pickering site. The unit was a major part of the hospital’s multi-million-dollar redevelopment completed earlier this year. The event will feature an opportunity to see the unit and watch demonstrations of echocardiogram machines.

A former patient, Jackie Parissi, spoke about the life-saving experience she had as a patient in the cardiac department.
To learn more visit www.heartofitall.ca or to donate, email kcraine@rougevalley.ca.

Auxiliary’s Gift Shop to open better than ever before

2011-04-06T15:22:00.001-04:00

Long-awaited opening of volunteer-run store at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering

On April 6^th the Rouge Valley Health System celebrated the grand opening of the Auxiliary’s new gift shop in the beautiful Harwood Lobby of the recently opened redevelopment at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. Minutes after the ribbon was cut, the store was full of eager shoppers, pleased with the great selection of items available.

“I’m excited that this day has finally arrived” said Alison Greenslade, Gift Shop Chairperson, just prior to the event. “I’m looking forward to unveiling our new store; we’re finally home!”

The Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital celebrated their new store with many volunteers and staff on hand. Mayor Steve Parish spoke and cut the ribbon. Foundation VP Tracy Paterson also spoke and expressed the appreciation the hospital has for this dedicated group of people.

The previous shop closed three years ago to make way for the recently completed redevelopment project. During this time, the Auxiliary gift shop continued to operate, making use of vacant office space.

The Auxiliary is excited to open the new shop in a much more accessible location, right inside the front door of the Harwood East Entrance, where its glass exterior makes it inviting for all of the visitors and staff who visit the hospital. This shop is run completely by volunteers and is open six-days-a-week. These volunteers understand the importance of strong health care in their community and use the proceeds from the shop to fund many important hospital projects. The shop is expected to generate $50,000 a year toward the Auxiliary’s charitable efforts. New volunteers are always welcomed, and needed to help staff the shop. Interested individuals can call (905) 683-2320 ext 5481.

View all of the pictures from this special event at the Foundation Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626454645142/

ServiceMaster and Dunlops team up for Image is Everything campaign

2011-04-04T12:09:00.001-04:00

When the Whitby Dunlops Senior A Hockey Team took to the ice on Feb. 19, they were teaming up with ServiceMaster Durham to shoot for great health care for their friends and neighbours in the community, by supporting the Image is Everything campaign.

Sponsored by ServiceMaster of Durham and the Whitby Dunlops, $5 of every $7 ticket (valued at $10 each) was donated to the Image is Everything Campaign, bringing the first MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

“ServiceMaster Durham has a tradition of supporting winning organizations, so we are proud to support the Whitby Dunlops Hockey Team and the Image is Everything Campaign. We know that together with great activities, the best health care and thriving businesses, we can make Durham a fantastic place to live, work and play!” says Ian McCutcheon, Business Development Manager, ServiceMaster Durham.

The honorary puck was dropped by Sherry Robinson, representing the Image is Everything Campaign, and Paul Horning, President of ServiceMaster Durham.

Support for Mental Health

2011-04-01T13:23:00.001-04:00

The Mental Health Council for Scarborough donated $2,000 to the RVC Mental Health Inpatient (Recreation Therapy Program), and RVC Shoniker Clinic (Child & Adolescent programs) on March 25.

On hand for the presentation were, from left, Jessica Ng, Recreation Therapist; Ros Sagar-Lal, Major and Community Giving Officer for RVHSF, Carol Morrissey, Jim Morrissey, President of Mental Health Council of Scarborough, and Julie Kish, Manager, Shoniker Clinic.

Ronald McDonald is proud of these kids

2011-03-30T10:32:00.007-04:00

It was a school fundraising night for students, staff, teachers and parents from Scarboroughs St. Dominic Savio Catholic School at the Kingston and Port Union roads location of McDonald's, on Monday, March 28. Everyone had a fun time raising funds to support the Rouge Valley Health System Centenary hospital's Buy a Bed campaign. Look for more McDonald's and school fundraising events for the Buy a Bed campaign in the months ahead as the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation works toward its goal of raising $500,000 to purchase 100 beds for the Centenary site.

To see more pictures of the fun, visit our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626387115404/

OPG adds a spark to MRI campaign

2011-03-28T10:05:00.005-04:00

Don Terry and Wayne Robbins of OPG.

A full house of more than 420 guests at Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s gala on Mar. 25 gave a standing ovation to Wayne Robbins, Chief Nuclear Officer at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Don Terry, Pickering Nuclear Public Affairs Manager, after they made a surprise announcement of a $300,000 gift to support the Image is Everything campaign.

“Our company believes in the power of community. We’re proud of the difference OPG employee volunteers make in our community. We’re proud to provide the power for homes and businesses right across Ontario. And we’re proud to be the supplier of power for the new MRI at our local hospital,” said Mr. Robbins.

OPG has been a long-time supporter of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, including a $1 million gift to the Nuclear Medicine unit in 2001. The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation is proud to count this local company and its staff as one of the lead supporters of the Image is Everything campaign.

Lucy Stocco, Chair of the campaign, admitted to being shocked at hearing the news Friday when the OPG representatives went to the stage to make the announcement.

“It was a surprise, but a really exciting one, to be sure,” said Ms. Stocco. “However, OPG has always been such a consistent community supporter that I’m not surprised they would see the importance of the need for an MRI machine in Ajax and that they would help in any way possible.”

The Image is Everything campaign is raising money for the purchase and installation of an MRI at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. Thanks to the generous individuals and corporations of the community, including this OPG gift, the campaign has nearly reached the 58 per cent of its goal in just 10 months.

The Foundation’s annual Gala was held this year at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet facility in Ajax and OPG was also a silver sponsor of the event.

A celebration of style AND substance

2011-03-26T11:02:00.000-04:00

Lucy Stocco, Chair of the Image is Everything campaign
and fellow campaign cabinet member Dr. Romas Stas.

The Image is Everything gala was a huge success for the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation.

Last Friday night's special event transformed the Deer Creek Banquet Hall into a dazzling display of white and mirrors, as participants, sponsors, guests and volunteers celebrated the Image is Everything Campaign, to bring an MRI machine to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital campus. Emcees for the evening were the talented and fun CTV news anchor team of Andria Case and Tom Hayes.

In addition to a performance from talented Scarborough singer Mark Masri, guests also enjoyed video presentations featuring interviews of some of the key people in the campaign and the gala itself. There was also a performance of 'I Believe' by the Young Singers of Ajax, accompanying a video presentation of the highlights of the campaign so far. A couple of the wonderful surprises to come out of the night were a $100,000 personal pledge from Ron and Carol Halliday (in tribute to Dr. Romas Stas and his staff for amazing treatment during a long stay at RVAP) and a $300,000 contribution from OPG, announced by Wayne Robbins, chief nuclear officer at Ontario Power Generation and Don Terry, Pickering Nuclear communications manager.

Check out pictures of the event at www.hadaball.com and on the Foundation’s Flickr page, where you will see hundreds of photos from all the fun at the Gala and the After Glow party that went to the wee hours of the night: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/72157626373177018

Thank you to all of the many people who contributed to make this event an amazing success!

Purdue Pharma recognized at Grand opening of Ambulatory Care

2011-03-25T16:02:00.000-04:00

On March 21, the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation celebrated Purdue Pharma for its dedicated and continuing generous support of the new Ambulatory Care Unit recently opened at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering.

Because of their understanding of the importance of local health care and their commitment to the patients of RVAP, Purdue Pharma generously made a $300,000 gift to the Vital Links Campaign supporting the redevelopment of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. Purdue Pharma’s leadership set the pace and inspired other organizations to follow suit.

The Foundation applauds Purdue Pharma for providing such an excellent example of good corporate citizenship.

The Foundation is proud to have a long-standing relationship with Purdue Pharma, and looks forward to more such partnerships in the future.

Claremont Legion is 'in the picture'

2011-03-23T12:45:00.000-04:00

On March 22, 2011, Sherry Robinson and Myrna Picotte from the Community Committee of the Image is Everything Campaign were on hand to receive a $10,000 cheque from the Claremont branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The donation was in support of the Image is Everything campaign.

Members of the Legion know that an MRI at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital will make a difference to the community, and wanted to be a part of ensuring that west Durham has access to the best health care.

Thanks to our fabulous friends in Claremont for making this donation. They have put themselves "in the picture!"

Purdue Pharma gift an example of community leadership

2011-03-22T15:44:00.001-04:00

On March 21, the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation celebrated Purdue Pharma for its dedicated and generous support of the new Ambulatory Care Unit recently opened at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Because of their understanding of the importance of local health care and their commitment to the patients of the Rouge Valley Health System, Purdue Pharma generously made a $300,000 gift to the Vital Links Campaign supporting the redevelopment of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. Purdue Pharma’s leadership set the pace and inspired other organizations to follow suit.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation applauds Purdue Pharma for providing such an excellent example of good corporate citizenship. Rouge Valley Health System Foundation is proud to have a long-standing relationship with Purdue Pharma, and looks forward to more such partnerships in the future.

The new Ambulatory Care Unit includes outpatient clinic visits, a new fracture clinic, outpatient procedures; and Medical day care and pre-admit visits. The space consolidates the many outpatient clinics Rouge Valley operates and allows the hospital to include an even wider range of new services. Convenient, accessible, and patient-focused, these high-traffic clinics include pain management, minor surgical procedures, pre-admission visits and day medical services such as chemotherapy. The hospital’s new Ambulatory Care Services Centre also includes new services such as ophthalmology and urology and will further advance Rouge Valley Health System’s mandate to be the best at what we do, close to home for our patients.

A 'Big' gift for To Rouge with Love

2011-03-15T14:56:00.001-04:00

Swing Shift Big Band director Al Minshull, left, holds up the big cheque, a $1,000 donation made possible through the band's Feb. 13 Big Band Valentine's Bash are, from left, Sue Andrews,Charge Technologist, RVC Cardiac Stress Clinic, Dr. Ash Mukherjee, Cardiologist, Foundation Vice President of Development Carole Chabot and Jolly Samuel, Charge Arrhythmia Specialist, RVC Pacemaker Clinic. Absent for photo was band leader Jim John. The proceeds will go towards echocardiogram machines, such as the current machine pictured above.

To Rouge with Love becomes a birthday party

2011-03-09T12:02:00.000-05:00

Foundation volunteer uses party to support echocardiogram campaign

When Foundation volunteer Raj Thavaratnasingham has a significant birthday, he celebrates in style.

A member of the Foundation's Planned Giving and Community Fundraising committees, Raj hosted a To Rouge with Love event in 2010. He enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to take it outside of his home this year to make it possible to have many more people involved.

So this year, on Feb. 19, which just so happened to be close to his 60th Birthday, he celebrated both TRWL and the milestone birthday, with family and friends gathered, while collecting donations. In all, 155 guests attended, half being family and the rest Raj's clients and friends.

To promote the cause of RVHS Cardiac Services, Dr. Ram Vijayaraghavan and Dr. Bhavanesh Makanjee each spoke and Karen Charter, Cath Lab nurse and Jolly Samuel, Charge Arrythmia Specialist were also on hand to mingle with guests. Also showing support were Foundation Board members Gord and Anne Moore, Toronto Councillor Paul Ainslie, along with Foundation committee volunteers Joanne Moffitt and Millie Tavener.