On behalf of the children who rely on the doctors, nurses and staff at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the CHEO Foundation extends sincere thanks to Costco Wholesale and all its suppliers for their incredible $3.8 million contribution to the BIG STEPS campaign. Thanks to Costco Wholesale, CHEO is taking big steps in lifesaving research and technology that will benefit kids in our community.
CHEO BIG STEPS News
April 21, 2010
MIKE FISHER JOINS CHEO TEAM AS HONOURARY AMBASSADOR OF CHEO'S BIG STEPS CAMPAIGN
OTTAWA, ON – CHEO’s current campaign to raise $25 million for research and equipment got a huge boost yesterday when it was announced that Ottawa Senator, Mike Fisher was the new Honourary Ambassador of CHEO’s BIG STEPS Campaign. Mr. Fisher joins current Honorary Ambassador Max Keeping and former CHEO patient, and Chair of the campaign, Charles Ofori–Attah, in support of CHEO’s latest campaign that will raise funds to attract the best research minds, physicians and health care providers to our hospital and equip them with the advanced tools and technologies they need to care for and cure our kids.
Mike Fisher made his first visit to CHEO in December of 1999, when as a rookie with the Senators, he attended the players Christmas visit to the hospital. During that visit Mike saw how the players presence at the hospital made the children smile, and from that day forward he has had a growing interest in helping the institutions that care for the children and youth of our community.
“When I visit CHEO I see the difference that the amazing care provided can make in a child’s life. CHEO affects us all. Even if you don’t have kids, you probably have friends who do or you have nieces or nephews, and it’s just so important that our kids are looked after and cared for. That’s why I am supporting the BIG STEPS Campaign. The kids deserve the best treatment possible so I would like to encourage people to be generous knowing that their support is going to a great cause and will make a difference in the life of a child,” said Mike Fisher.
Fred Bartlett, CEO and President of the CHEO Foundation said “The BIG STEPS Campaign is an incredibly important initiative that will help the hospital make strategic investments in research, equipment and technology. We have just surpassed the $15 million mark and the goal is in sight with less than $10 million left to raise. We are thrilled to have Mike on board as Honourary Ambassador of the campaign. Over the years we have watched Mike’s dedication to children and youth continue to grow. His involvement in the BIG STEPS Campaign is a natural next step in this growth.”
September 30, 2009
CHEO BIG STEPS CAMPAIGN HITS $10 MILLION MARK ON WAY TO $25 MILLION GOAL
OTTAWA – Earlier today the CHEO Foundation announced that it has surpassed the $10 million mark in CHEO’s BIG STEPS Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $25 million for research and new equipment. The $25 million will be over and above what the Foundation normally raises and will enable CHEO to take a quantum leap forward in research and total patient care. These funds will also help CHEO attract the best research minds, physicians and health care providers to the hospital and equip them with the advanced tools and technologies they need to care for and cure our children and youth.
Twenty year old Charles Ofori-Attah is the Chair of the BIG STEPS Campaign Taskforce Team. Charles, a former CHEO patient, was on hand to participate in the news conference and talked about why he decided to take on the challenge of leading such a substantial endeavor: “I owe my life to CHEO and I know that without medical research, I may not have survived sickle cell disease. I am thrilled to be able to give back by being part of the BIG STEPS Campaign, especially knowing that funds raised will help many other young patients have success with their own medical challenges,” said Charles.
CHEO’s BIG STEPS Campaign is an ambitious initiative that is raising funds to buy the most sophisticated equipment needed to treat our children and take huge steps forward in vital, life-saving research. The research component of the campaign will focus on Clinical, Pediatric Cancer, Childhood Obesity and Mental Health research and build on CHEO’s recognition as a centre of world-leading research into childhood diseases. The equipment component of the campaign will focus on bringing new technologies to CHEO and upgrading existing equipment in the areas of Emergency and Critical Care, Surgical Equipment, Diagnostic Imaging and Information Technology.
The Campaign Task Force Team is made up of 13 community leaders who are actively talking to people throughout the community about the importance of investing in our children’s future.
Ken Ages, Vice President of Paramount Properties is a Taskforce Team member and was excited about the $10 million announcement. “CHEO is such an important part of our city, and reaching the $10 million mark shows that many of our business leaders recognize that by supporting CHEO, they are supporting a brighter future in our community. This is very inspiring as we continue on to our goal of $25 million,” said Mr. Ages.
February 19, 2009
CHEO BIG STEPS KICKS OFF STAFF & PHYSICIANS CAMPAIGN
CHEO BIG STEPS launched its internal Staff and Physicians Campaign today, encouraging the CHEO family to show the way by contributing to this unprecedented fundraising initiative designed to advance lifesaving research and support the purchase of critically needed equipment and technology.
“CHEO’s mission to the community is to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and their families,” said Michel Bilodeau, CEO, CHEO. “Our staff and physicians make this happen and are deeply committed to CHEO and show it every day. This is why we are asking them to help make the future an even brighter one for the children and youth of our community by contributing to the BIG STEPS Campaign.”
Mr. Bilodeau noted that strong support by CHEO physicians and staff not only helps get the campaign off on the right foot, but also sends a positive message to individuals and corporations in the community who are being approached for support.
Stephanie Poirier, CHEO’s Clinical Manager, Emergency and Trauma, was one of the first onboard with the Staff and Physicians Campaign.
“I have experienced life at CHEO both as a nurse and as a parent of a sick child,” said Ms. Poirier at the Staff and Physician Campaign launch. “As a CHEO staff member I am always proud to be a part of this amazing team of professionals whose main goal is to make every child who relies on CHEO as healthy as possible. CHEO saved my son’s life so I remain incredibly thankful that this team is in place.”
CHEO staff and physicians can contribute to the campaign via payroll deduction or by a direct pledge – either one-time or in installments. Donations to BIG STEPS are tax deductible. Those wishing to make a contribution are encouraged to contact the CHEO Foundation.
June 20, 2008
ANGELS OF HOPE GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $750,000 FOR BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH
“We are so thrilled that so many people saw how passionate both Wade and I are about this cause, and came on board to help us reach this incredible total,” said Dr. Mark deGruchy.
There were a number of organizations and many generous people who helped grow the initial donation into the incredible total that will go towards genetic research as it relates to glioblastoma multiforme therapy at the CHEO Research Institute. First the original $250,000 was matched by The CHEO Foundation. It was then announced that CN was going to match all money raised during the actual golf tournament. The Cancer Centre then came on board and donated $215,000.
When asked about the total dollar figure Mr. Redden said: “It certainly is well beyond our expectations and Mark and I are so grateful for this amazing outcome. I would like to thank The CHEO Foundation, The Regional Cancer Centre, CN, everyone who helped us put on this great tournament, and of course of the golfers who came out today.”
Wade Redden and Mark deGruchy have both lost a loved one to Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer that took the life of Wade’s mother Pat in April of 2006 and Mark’s wife Veronica in March of 2007. Over time, Wade and Mark have turned their grief into a passion for improving the quality of life for individuals and their families who are fighting brain cancer. First by making it a manageable disease, and then one day by finding a cure.
About Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive brain tumor, accounting for half of all such malignancies. Dr. David Stojdl working with Dr. John Bell and Dr. Harry Atkins, have developed a means of killing tumours with viruses; in this project a novel strain of these so called oncolytic viruses will be used in the battle against glioblastoma.
The viruses are designed so they selectively infect and kill only the tumor cells; they also naturally spread within the tumour so that repeated high doses are not necessary. The new viruses will be tested initially in mice with glioblastoma working towards trials in humans.
About the CHEO Research Institute
Established in 1984, the CHEO Research Institute coordinates the research activities of CHEO and is one of the institutes associated with the University of Ottawa Teaching Hospitals. The Research Institute brings together health professionals from within CHEO to share their efforts in solving paediatric health problems. It also promotes collaborative research outside the hospital, with partners in the immediate community, industry and the international scientific world. The Research Institute laboratories allow clinicians and basic scientists to mesh the exciting discoveries of the laboratory with the Children's Hospital patient care programs.
April 7, 2008
RBC MAKES MAJOR DONATION TO CHEO
“The CHEO Big Steps Campaign is an ambitious fundraising endeavour during which we hope to raise $25 million for research and new medical equipment,” said Fred Bartlett, President and CEO of the CHEO Foundation. “RBC continues to be an incredible supporter of CHEO and this gift will provide some of the essential lifesaving research that will take us closer to our goal of total patient care. On behalf of CHEO’s kids, I would like to thank RBC for being such a good friend to CHEO.”
While 15 per cent of Canadian children and youth live with a mental illness, only one in six receives necessary mental health services. Without formal mental health care, children and youth are vulnerable to illness deterioration that can escalate to acute life-threatening behaviors such as a serious suicide attempt and emotional distress.
“RBC believes in giving back to the communities in which we live and work with donations that help promote a stronger, healthier and sustainable future,” said David McKay, Group Head, Canadian Banking at RBC. “I'm proud that the RBC Foundation has donated more than $525,000 to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario since 1990, particularly since children's mental health – and especially early intervention in this area - is a key area of focus for us.”
Emergency departments have become a “safety net” and a critical intervention point in the pediatric mental health system. Of all pediatric mental health ER visits, this is the first visit for care for nearly half of all of these children and youth. Further, these children and youth present with a range of serious mental health problems, often requiring very specialized care.
Dr. Mario Capelli, Clinical Scientist and Director of Research in Mental Health at CHEO and lead clinical scientist on the project was on hand and said; “Examining the role that Emergency departments play in relation to the pediatric mental health system will provide us with the opportunity to explore more effective and timely treatments during the patients and families period of crisis. RBC’s generosity will allow us to execute this important study and we are so grateful for their support.”
CHEO is one of two free-standing paediatric hospitals in Canada. It is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Ottawa. CHEO is also partnered with 17 other hospitals in Eastern Ontario to provide specialized services, exchange knowledge and share expertise. CHEO handles over 200,000 patient visits per year and 6000 children and youth are admitted to the hospital annually.
RBC is also committed to health and wellness, and supports programs and services that improve community resources and enhance quality of life. RBC gave over $12.5 million to health related organizations in 2008. As part of RBC’s dedication to helping improve outcomes for Canadian children with mental health issues, the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project provides grants to support children’s mental health programs that focus on early intervention and public education to increase awareness of services and reduce stigma. Last year RBC donated to over 30 organizations that were focused on supporting children and youth with mental health issues.
About RBC
RBC believes in building prosperity by contributing to the communities in which we live and work. RBC is now one of Canada’s largest corporate donors, and supports a broad range of community initiatives, through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2008 RBC contributed more than $99 million to community causes worldwide. As a founding member of Imagine Canada, RBC is committed to donating at least one per cent of its average annual net income before taxes. RBC is Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization and provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services on a global basis.
About CHEO
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a health care centre dedicated to providing specialized care to children and youth in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Opened in 1974, CHEO offers a range of medical services for patients from birth through to 18 years of age. CHEO now houses 167 inpatient beds – 20 are in Neonatal Intensive Care, 10 in Paediatric Intensive Care, 25 are in Psychiatry and 95 in inpatient wards. CHEO has six patient service units, including 56 different outpatient or ambulatory care clinics.
ABOUT CHEO BIG STEPS
BIG STEPS is the biggest and most important fundraising campaign ever undertaken by the CHEO Foundation in support of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Through BIG STEPS, CHEO aims to raise $25 million in the community, to be invested in lifesaving research and much-needed equipment & technology that will enable CHEO to provide the full spectrum of maternal, infant, child and youth healthcare in our community.