Advertising for an MRI

As publications dedicated to strengthening our community, Snap Ajax and Snap Pickering will allocate 10 per cent of all ads booked now for the December and January issues, to support the "Image is Everything" Campaign that is raising funds to bring an MRI at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Your support will be acknowledged by inserting the following line to your ad "We are proud to support the Image is Everything Campaign at our local community hospital" as well as a thank you ad to be published in the February issue of SNAP which thanks all participating advertisers.

To book your ad, please contact John Allen, General Manager at SNAP Ajax and SNAP Pickering by calling 905-239-0940 or 905-409-6816.

Boot Drive 2010 breaks fundraising record

We are so excited to announce that this year's Pickering Professional Firefighters Association Boot Drive made an astounding $17,000, from our "Image is Everything" MRI campaign fundraising day on October 23.

This is the largest amount we have ever done on a single day and we would like to thank the Pickering firefighters and all of our volunteers for helping us achieve this goal.

Of course we also thank the local community for giving so generously and for bringing us one step closer to an MRI for Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Toys"R"Us and the Starlight Foundation give to Rouge kids

Toys"R"Us Children's Fund and the Starlight Children's Foundation have teamed up to give back in their local communities.

On November 4, 2010 at the Toys"R"Us on Brock road in Pickering, the Starlight Children's Foundation made a $1,000 donation to purchase new televisions for the paediatric patients at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Thanks to such a great community partnership, our patients are continuing to receive quality health care and comfort during their stay.

Boot Drive 2010

On October 23, the Pickering Professional Firefighters Association held their annual Boot Drive, in support of the Image is Everything Campaign to bring the first MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Our amazing volunteers and firefighters had a great time fundraising for their local hospital while greeting area residents on the brisk, but sunny Fall day.

A special thank you to the area residents for their generosity of spare change and loose bills. Every penny counts! Stay tuned for details about how much they raised.

Photos from the Boot Drive can be viewed online at our Photo Gallery.

3rd Annual Bryson Insurance pumpkin giveaway

On October 16, Bryson Insurance held their third annual pumpkin giveaway in support of the Image is Everything Campaign to bring the first MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

The spooky setting and Hallowe'en delights welcomed guests as they entered the pumpkin-strewn grounds of Bryson Insurance. Free pumpkins, popcorn, drinks and coffee were provided.

Thank you to Bryson Insurance and all who came out to enjoy the day and support their local hospital.

To see more photos from the event, please visit our Photo Gallery.

Local lawyers make a case for support

The biggest surprise of Who's Your Caddy?, besides the mustachioed cowboys, came from Whitby lawyer Michael Head. During dinner, Michael presented a cheque for $25,000 as a donation to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital Image is Everything campaign. All of the guests stood for an emotional applause to give recognition for the generous contribution.

Click here to read more about the Pickering-based law firm and their contribution to bringing an MRI to the local community of west Durham.

(L-R) Tracy Paterson RVHSF VP Development, Michael Head, and Sherry Robinson, MRI Campaign Cabinet.

Asphalt Junkies rev up for Rouge

You might think you're dreaming of Daytona, but this flashback is courtesy of Asphalt Junkies' Bringing Daytona Beach to the GTA. On July 18th, Heydenshore Pavilion became a northern stage for bike enthusiasts and community members who came out to enjoy their love for sport bikes and the sun-fuelled entertainment.

Held in support of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, the event had everything from bike washes and displays to barbeques, fashion show and even a bathing suit competition.

By the end of the day, participants had generously raised $620 for the hospital. Thanks to all who came to the event and remember its warmth. Only one question remains: can you bring the beach back to the GTA in October?

(L-R) Anansa Russell and Rebecca Roach, 2008 runners up, photoshoot winners Mandy Vortisch and Steve Blackman

Do you know Who's Your Caddy?

Traditional golf etiquette was cast aside on Thursday, September 23, as a mass of pink boas, tuxedos and masked cowboys descended upon Whitevale Golf Club.

Who's Your Caddy, a ladies-only golf tournament welcomed some incredible women who manage business, volunteering and home. Presented by Veridian Corporation, all proceeds from the tournament were given to support the Image is Everything Campaign to bring the first MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

The tournament was an irreverent spectacle of laughter and fun as each ladies' foursome was paired with a male caddy for advice and assistance. The caddies were gentlemen and while the ladies may not have been so well-behaved, the tournament was a resounding success!

Photos from the event can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

Soaring with the Royal Canadian Legion

Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion dedicates their time and effort to fund raising and awareness initiatives for those in need.

In keeping with this primary purpose, the Royal Canadian Legion # 256, General Wingate Branch has made a generous donation. A gift of $1,500 from the proceeds of their 2009 poppy campaign was given to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital Image is Everything Campaign to purchase our first MRI at the Ajax and Pickering campus.

Thank you again for all of your support, in serving our community.

(L-R) L-R Jennifer Collins, RVHS Foundation; Eric Levine; Allan A. Rubin; Lori Rubin-Ricer, RVHS Foundation volunteer.

15th Annual Mayors' Charity Golf brings it close to home

The cool breeze and clear skies of September 14 greeted golfers, volunteers and sponsors alike to the manicured hills of Deer Creek Golf and Country Club for the 15th Annual Mayors' Charity Golf Tournament.

Drawn in by their passion for golf and their local hospital, the assembly of people was an overwhelming indication of the support which would unfold.

Present were Mayors Dave Ryan and Steve Parish, Region of Durham Chairman Roger Anderson and many more political leaders, local business owners, philanthropists and golf enthusiasts.

The day was bursting with delicious food and friendly competition thanks to the support of a long list of local restauranteurs and vendors, which included live demonstrations of diagnostic imaging technology.

"Look at the corporate sponsors we've had supporting this tournament and the campaign," said Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan. "It's because we have the support of local businesses. That's the reason why we can do this each year."

Thanks to the generous support of everyone in attendance, the tournament raised a net funding total of $150,000 for the Image is Everything Campaign, bringing us even closer to the first MRI to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

(L-R) Chad Hanna, RVHS Foundation President; Mayor Dave Ryan, Pickering; tournament co-Chair Jim Witty; Lucy Stocco, RVHS Foundation and campaign chair; Regional Chairman Roger Anderson, Mayor Steve Parish, Ajax; Dr. Mark Prieditis, RVHS Campaign cabinet member; and tournament co-Chair Bill Collier

New Legacy of Care Society to honour planned giving donors

The Legacy of Care Society has been created to acknowledge the generosity of steadfast donors with a number of exclusive benefits. If YOU have designated a bequest, life insurance or charitable annuity, please contact Carole Chabot, VP Development, at 416-281-7462. We'll send you a special invitation to join us next month at the inauguration of the Legacy of Care Society honouring our Planned Giving donors.

Racing to bring an MRI to RVAP

On Sunday August 15, 2010, Ajax Downs and the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario teamed up to host a Free Family Fun Day at the Races. The event was funded entirely with corporate donations by themselves and event sponsors, to support our "Image is Everything" Campaign to bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

Over a thousand community members came out to enjoy the day at the races, many of whom were dressed in the bright MRI campaign colours of sky blue and lime green! Activities and food were free to children, who enjoyed an exciting day filled with such crowd-pleasers as face painting, and new experiences like the Try the Track Run.

Photos from the event can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

Try the Track winners received the same ribbons as they quarter horses later that day. Photo by Kerry McLeish

Volunteers Needed: Free Family Fun Day at the Races

Ajax Downs and Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc. have teamed up to host a Free Family Fun Day at the Races on Sunday, August 15th -- funded entirely with corporate donations by themselves and event sponsors -- to support the "Image is Everything" Campaign to bring a permanent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital campus.

They are requesting your support in this community project. If you would be interested in volunteering your services for this special event, please contact Emily Moorhouse at 905-683-2320 x1212.

Inside the operating room video

News Advertiser reporter Kristen Calis and photographer Sabrina Byrnes were granted access to shadow a surgery team at the Ajax-Pickering hospital. Patient Brigitte Boyd is followed into surgery in this great behind-the-scenes article and photo video.

Photo by Sabrina Byrnes, reprinted with permission

Cassidy & Co. tourney supports MRI Campaign

In its over 20-year partnership with Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, Cassidy & Co. has been a familiar presence at many of the Foundation's events and a generous supporter of our campaigns. As well as being a long-time sponsor of our Mayors' Charity Golf Classic and Annual Gala, Cassidy & Co. supports our community by sponsoring the City of Pickering Mayor's Gala as well as hosting its own annual golf tournament.

On July 8, 2010, Cassidy & Co. hosted its 23rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Because Cassidy & Co. wants our expanding community to have the best health care close to home, proceeds from this year's tournament supported our "Image is Everything" Campaign, with members of the Campaign Cabinet accepting a $25,000 cheque at the post-game dinner. Special thanks to Wayne and Sandra Cassidy, and to the numerous golfers and tournament sponsors, who are helping bring an MRI to their local community hospital.

Photos from the tournament reception can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

(L-R) Campaign Cabinet member Mayor Dave Ryan and Campaign Chair Lucy Stocco accept the big cheque from Sandra and Wayne Cassidy. Photo by Jennifer Collins

Promoting the hospital with award-winning communications

RVHS public affairs and RVHS Foundation have together won a total of three 2010 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence.

The awards won by the public affairs team were in the following categories:
* One to Two Person-produced Newsletters for Echo (Akilah Dressekie and Nicholas Smith)
* Blogs, Forums & Wikis for the RVHS President's Blog (CEO Rik Ganderton)

The award won by the RVHS Foundation was in the following category:
* Blogs, Forums & Wikis for Foundation Chat (Kerry McLeish)

"Our collective thanks to the staff, physicians, volunteers and management of Rouge Valley for giving us something compelling to write about in our communications. In that regard, the awards recognize the terrific work our hospital does from the front line to senior management," comments David Brazeau, RVHS director of public affairs and community relations.

Legacy of Care Society recognizes an inaugural member

Each year, the Foundation is the grateful recipient of bequests and other realized planned gifts. However, we often have not been given prior notice of the donor's intent and only learn of their generosity when it is too late to thank them properly.

In order to recognize and thank, during their lifetimes, the remarkable donors who designate bequests and other deferred gifts to the Foundation, the Legacy of Care Society has been created.

This Society will be officially launched in September at a reception, but we celebrated the founding of the Society by presenting a membership pin to Janet Ecker, one of the Legacy of Care Society's inaugural members, at the RVHS AGM in June, 2010. Janet has been an active spokesperson and champion for the Foundation's legacy giving program.

"The Foundation would like to thank Janet for agreeing to speak publicly about her decision to remember RVHS in her will," said Chair Jim Ward.

If you have included Rouge Valley in your will, or have made another type of planned gift to the Foundation, please contact Carole Chabot, VP Development, so that you can be recognized for your generosity and included in Legacy of Care Society invitations.

RELATED LINKS
Planned Giving brochure (PDF 120 Kb)

(L-R) Janet accepts the pin from Jim. Photo by William Meijer

Tina's fundraising tea party for MRI

Tina Dezsi held a tea party on June 27th because she loves tea in her garden, her close friends and her local community hospital.

"I decided to have the tea party to honour the women in my life who have had an impact on me," said Tina. "I asked each woman to bring a purse or a bag that they no longer use for a purse auction, with all proceeds going to the 'Image is Everything' campaign to help bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital."

With the help of her friends, Tina raised an impressive $1,843. And each auction winner was very happy with her new purse!

Photos from the tea by Cleo Photography can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

A few friends having tea, including Tracy Paterson, MRI Campaign Director and VP, Development at the Foundation (far right). Photo by Cleo Photography