|
Envision donates $185,000 to new Abbotsford hospital
Gift will help BC Cancer Agency support children living with cancer in their families at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Abbotsford, B.C. — Local credit union Envision Financial has donated $185,000 through the Envision Charitable Foundation to A Campaign for Health Care Excellence, a partnership of the BC Cancer Foundation and the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. The Campaign is raising funds to support the new Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre.
“Envision is deeply rooted in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley, and we know that the new hospital and cancer centre will greatly benefit members of these communities,” says Gord Huston, Envision Financial’s President and CEO. “We’re excited to have this opportunity to support such an important project.”
In recognition of Envision being named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for the fifth straight year, employees were awarded with a $35,000 gift, to donate to a cause or charity of their choice. In addition to the $150,000 that will be coming from the Envision Charitable Foundation, our employees have selected to direct the $35,000 gift to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
“The mission of the Envision Charitable Foundation is to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our communities,” explains Sally O’Sullivan, Chair of the Envision Charitable Foundation. “The new Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre will result in better healthcare for the residents of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.”
The BC Cancer Agency’s department of patient & family counselling will use part of the donation to create more tools to support patients, families and caregivers, a need that was highlighted in recent patient feedback surveys.For example, a workbook entitled ‘Time for Me’ has been developed for children living with cancer in their families. The workbook will provide an interactive forum for children to learn about cancer, how it is treated, and how a child and his/her family can be impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Envision’s donation will enable the BC Cancer Agency to make the workbook accessible on the internet, to benefit those families who are unable to visit a cancer centre due to health, geographical distance, work commitment and other reasons.
“Children learn coping or problem-solving skills through interactive activities as well as communication skills to express their thoughts and concerns. This really helps kids whose parents or other family members have cancer. We have found the workbook to be a great tool,” says Gina MacKenzie, practice leader for the Patient and Family Counselling department at the BC Cancer Agency's Lower Mainland sites. Health care professionals working with families in the field of oncology will also benefit from the workbook being available online. The website and accompanying materials will be modelled after other successful websites in North America; children and their families will be asked to provide input and pilot test ideas throughout the development process.
A Campaign for Health Care Excellence is a partnership between the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation and the B.C. Cancer Foundation to raise $7.5 million for enhancements to technology and cancer programs at the new Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre.
Established in 2000, the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation is committed to building partnerships with individuals, community organizations and businesses to support the hospitals and health care services within the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District.
Established in 1935, the B.C. Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the B.C. Cancer Agency, throughout B.C. The Envision Charitable Foundation was created in 1996 with the intent of establishing and growing a valuable local resource in perpetuity. Since inception, the Envision Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants to a variety of initiatives throughout BC. Envision Financial, home of the Redfrog mortgage, is B.C.’s third-largest credit union with approximately $3.4 billion in assets under administration. For five years running, Envision has been named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada. Envision is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada, and invested more than $1.5 million in community organizations and initiatives in 2006. For more information on Envision Financial, visit www.envisionfinancial.ca.
-30-
For information:
Penny Noble APR, Senior Director Public Affairs,
BC Cancer Foundation: 604 707 5902, cell 604 805 5637
or
Envision Financial contact: Brian Bevilacqua
Communications and Media Relations Officer
Tel: 604.539.7179
E-mail: bbevilacqua@envisionfinancial.ca
|
