RICHMOND HILL/VAUGHAN, ON – On Saturday, April 12, the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association hosted its 20th annual fundraising dance and raised a record breaking $35,000in support of the hospital’s vision to create a world-class health experience. The money raised at Bollywood Night will go towards the Volunteer Association’s pledge toward Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Picture This campaign. The Picture This campaign will fund a second permanent MRI Scanner to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital which will be installed by the end of 2014. For more information on the Picture This campaign visit: www.mackenziehealth.ca/picturethis.
This event was the Volunteer Association’s largest dinner/dance to date and featured Bollywood dancers and TV personality, Pooja Handa from Breakfast Television as the emcee. The event drew 530 guests including community members and leaders, in support of healthcare in Southwest York Region.
Since the first Volunteer Association fundraising dance in 1993, this annual event has raised more than $500,000 for life-saving medical equipment and technology for virtually every department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital including a new Digital Mammography Unit, cutting-edge surgical equipment, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Quotes:
"We are grateful for the support of our donors, advertisers, patrons and community for contributing to the success of this event. It is because of our community that Mackenzie Health can continue to offer patients exceptional healthcare. Without your generous support, the evening would not have been possible.”
Tony Petruccelli, Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association President
“Mackenzie Health is appreciative of the time and financial support offered by the Volunteer Association and their commitment to raising much needed funds for hospital equipment and technology. Thank you to the organizing committee for their work in developing such an exciting event and to all the participants for sharing Bollywood culture through live performances, fashion and cultural displays.”
Altaf Stationwala, Mackenzie Health President and CEO
“This is a very exciting time for Southwest York Region. The people in the communities cared for by Mackenzie Health can look forward to continued leading-edge care, close to home. This vital piece of equipment will go a long way to helping ensure patients receive timely and accurate diagnoses.”
Ingrid Perry, Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO
Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health
- Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional healthcare provider which includes the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015.
- Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.
- Nationally recognized for its commitment to safety and quality patient care, Mackenzie Health was also awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, the highest rating a Canadian healthcare provider can receive.
- Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future.
- This focus is reflected in the organization’s strategic directions: Exceptional Patient and Family Experience, Excellent Quality and Efficiency, Community-driven Growth, and Great People, Systems and Partners.
- With over 500,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association
- Since the initial volunteer meeting in 1961, women, men and teenagers, have supported the hospital, its patients and staff and conducted fund raising events to enhance services at the hospital.
- The commitment from residents across York Region from all areas of Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Vaughan and King Township has been strong from the very beginning.
- The Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association currently has 1000 members whooffered more than 94,500 hours of service over the last year.
- In its history, the Volunteer Association has raised more than $5 million dollars for much needed medical equipment and facilities including $1 million for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), $750,000 towards the Intensive Care Unit as well as an additional $750,000 towards a minimally invasive surgical suite and the Association has most recently pledged $500,000 toward the Foundation’s ‘Picture This’ campaign to bring a second MRI scanner to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.