Choices Recycling Centre Accepts Containers for Charity

White Rock, BC – Choices Recycling Centre is accepting deposit containers in support of Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation.

Choices Market strives to lessen their impact on the environment and support organizations within the community. Their recycling program allows customers to return all recyclable packaging. Throughout February, for every 100 deposit containers donated, customers will receive a complimentary reusable shopping bag. Proceeds from your container donations will benefit the Partners in Caring Campaign.

To contact Choices Recycling Center call 604.542.3908. For more information on how you or your organization can support Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation, please call 604.535.4520 or email cheryl.chan@peacearchhospital.com.

Peace Arch Shrine Club Gives to Peace Arch Hospital Maternity Unit

White Rock, BC – On Tuesday, December 4th, members of the Peace Arch Shrine Club, presented a cheque for over $6,800 to Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation.

As supporters of the Foundation since 1989, the Peace Arch Shrine Club has donated almost $120,000 to the Foundation to help with the purchase of priority medical equipment for Peace Arch Hospital. In keeping with the Shrine Club’s mandate to support children’s causes, their most recent donation will be directed toward the modernization of the Hospital’s Maternity Unit, one of the five projects within the Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign, which aims to raise more than $30 million for significant enhancements to the hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to have the continued support of the Peace Arch Shrine Club” said Foundation Executive Director, Jackie Smith. “Their generosity over the years has had a tremendous impact on the quality of care that the hospital’s youngest patients receive by helping purchase new medical equipment and funding for facility upgrades”.

The Peace Arch Shrine Club is just one of many community groups who help raise money on behalf of the Foundation each year. In addition, funds are also raised through major and planned gifts, events and other fundraising initiatives around the community. For more information on how your community group or business can support the Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign, contact the Foundation office at 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com .

Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation raises money to enhance quality health care in the community of White Rock/South Surrey.

About Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation is an independent charitable society dedicated to raising money to enhance quality health care for the community of White Rock and South Surrey. Having raised over $50 million to date, the Foundation is committed to ensuring 100 per cent of donor dollars goes directly to capital equipment purchases for Peace Arch Hospital and to fund priority health care initiatives throughout the community. For more information or to make a donation to the Partners In Caring campaign, call 604-535-4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Christmas in Morgan Creek Supports Partners in Caring Campaign

White Rock, BC – On Friday, November 23rd, over $8,200 was raised at the annual Christmas in Morgan Creek event, which was hosted by members of the Morgan Creek Homeowners’ Association, in support of Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign.

With a portion of the ticket sales donated to the Foundation, this event, which included a lunch, a fashion show featuring several local vendors and a silent auction featuring decorated Christmas trees and wreaths raised funds which will be directed toward the modernization of the Hospital’s Maternity Unit, one of the five projects within the Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign. The Campaign, which launched earlier this year, aims to raise more than $30 million for significant enhancements to Peace Arch Hospital.

“We are delighted that the Morgan Creek Homeowners’ Association chose to support the Foundation this year” said Foundation Executive Director, Jackie Smith. “The enormous time and effort of the organizing committee and the generosity of those who attended and donated to the event will have a tremendous impact on improving the quality of health care available to our community”.

The Christmas in Morgan Creek event is just one of the many community fundraising events that local businesses and organizations host on behalf of the Foundation each year. In addition, funds are also raised through major and planned gifts, events and other fundraising initiatives around the community. For more information on how your community group or business can support the Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign, contact the Foundation office at 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Great Pumpkin Run/Walk a Runaway Success!

White Rock, BC – On Sunday, October 28th, the 1st annual Great Pumpkin Run/Walk took place in support of Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. Close to 300 walkers and runners and 75 event volunteers from the White Rock, South Surrey and nearby communities participated in the 1 and 5K event in a show of support for quality health care close to home. Presented by Westcoast Hot Yoga, this first-time Halloween-themed event, started and finished at Peace Arch Hospital’s main parking lot and raised over $15,000 for Peace Arch Hospital.

Young and old alike, and people of all physical fitness levels joined together to take part in the event, with the first-place finisher of the 5K race, Ryan Keigher of Cloverdale, crossing the finish line in just over seventeen minutes. Foundation Executive Director, Jackie Smith states, “We are thrilled with the turnout we had for this first-time event and to see so many people out on a Sunday morning walking and running with their friends and families. We were very fortunate to have worked with our event partners Peninsula Runners, the Hospital’s Auxiliary Society and Cardiac Rehab Program to put this event together.” She goes on to say, “A big thank you goes out to our volunteer Event Chair, Louise McKnight, the Event Committee and the many people who participated and volunteered at the Run/Walk!”

Participants at the event also enjoyed complimentary refreshments and displays in the event’s Fair Grounds after the race. The top three individual fundraisers were awarded prizes as well as the top fundraising team and top Cardiac Rehab fundraising team. Part proceeds raised from the event will go towards Peace Arch Hospital’s Partners in Caring Campaign, which aims to raise more than $30 million to support critically needed facility and health care program expansion and upgrades.

This year’s event sponsors included presenting sponsor Westcoast Hot Yoga, Bay Realty Ltd., Peace Arch News, CKNW, Coast Capital Savings and White Rock Honda.

About Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation is an independent charitable society dedicated to raising money to enhance quality health care for the community of White Rock and South Surrey. Having raised over $50 million to date, the Foundation is committed to ensuring 100% of donor dollars goes directly to priority medical equipment purchases for Peace Arch Hospital and to fund vital health care initiatives throughout the community. For information on making a donation, call 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Sun Life Financial makes donation to Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation

White Rock, BC – On Thursday, July 12th, Stuart Fitzpatrick, Associate Manager of Sun Life Financial, and Tom Louie, member of the Semiahmoo Rotary Club presented a $1,000 cheque to Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s Senior Development Officer, Selina Yano. The donation will support the Foundation’s $32 million Partners in Caring Campaign.

For more information on how your community group or business can support Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation please contact 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Moby Dick Seafood Restaurant presents proceeds from annual March fundraiser to Peace Arch Hospital

White Rock, BC – On Thursday, July 5, Moby Dick Seafood Restaurant presented a cheque for $1,353 to Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. The donation was a result of their annual March fundraising promotion, where owners Ralph and Monika Oswald donate 50¢ from every guest cheque to the Foundation. This year’s proceeds will support the Foundation’s Partners in Caring Campaign. Since its inception, Moby Dick Seafood Restaurant has raised a total of $10,864 for Peace Arch Hospital.

For more information on how your community group or business can support Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation please contact 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Order of the Eastern Star Donation to Peace Arch Hospital

White Rock, BC – On Thursday, June 14, Order of the Eastern Star – White Rock Chapter #60 presented a cheque for $10,000 to Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. The proceeds will support the Foundation’s $32 million Partners in Caring Campaign.

For more information on how your community group or business can support Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation please contact 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

RBC Dominion Securities makes $6,000 donation to Peace Arch Hospital

White Rock, BC – Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation is pleased to be the recipient of a $6,000 donation from RBC Dominion Securities. The donation, which was presented by RBC Dominion Securities Investment Advisor, Dennis Popowich at the Semiahmoo Rotary Golf Tournament this past June, will go towards the Foundation’s $32-million Partners In Caring Campaign to help fund the completion of the hospital’s 5th and 6th floors.

For more information on how you can support Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation please contact 604.535.4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

PARTNERS IN CARING CAMPAIGN OFF TO RECORD START - Gala Launch Huge Success

White Rock, BC – Results are in from Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s most successful gala to date. The event held May 5 was the launching pad for the organization’s largest-ever fundraising campaign and raised nearly $450,000 in one single night.

Money raised from the event will go toward the Foundation’s $32-million Partners In Caring (PIC) campaign.

“We are thrilled with this show of community support for our hospital and our campaign,” says Sandy Wightman, Board Chair, Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. “Our community is carrying on a long-standing tradition of stepping up and taking the lead in enhancing quality health care in our community.”

The campaign will raise funds to complete the hospital’s shelled in 5th and 6th floors (adding 56 acute care beds), modernize the maternity ward, add an MRI machine, expand the community-based cardiac rehabilitation facility, and begin planning for a modern, expanded emergency department.

Acknowledging Fraser Health as a strong ally in working together to see Peace Arch Hospital reach its full potential, Wightman also noted two community organizations – the White Rock/South Surrey Foundation and the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society, as important campaign partners.

“Our residents, community organizations and local businesses have shown their commitment to helping others through a long tradition of caring. Working together as a community is the key to this campaign's success.”

Of almost $450,000 raised at the gala, $63,000 was raised through a live auction. Auction items included a trip for four to Mexico and a private dinner with White Rock Mayor Judy Forster, Surrey Mayor Diane Watts, MLA Kevin Falcon, MLA Gordon Hogg and Global TV personality Mark Madryga, which alone fetched $26,500.

Event sponsors included Brawn, Karras & Sanderson, Barristors and Solicitors; Canaccord Capital; Gateway Pacific Properties; Prospera Credit Union Insurance; RBC Dominion Securities - Karim Jandali; RBC Investments - Dragana Sanderson; Smart!Centres; Shaw; Peace Arch News and Tech-Web Graphics.

About Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation is an independent charitable society dedicated to raising money to enhance quality health care for the community of White Rock and South Surrey. Having raised over $50 million to date, the Foundation is committed to ensuring 100 per cent of donor dollars goes directly to capital equipment purchases for Peace Arch Hospital and to fund priority health care initiatives throughout the community. For more information or to make a donation to the Partners In Caring campaign, call 604-535-4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.

Pennies for the Peace. . .

Choices Retail & Recycling Centre, working with the Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation has developed a new program called “Pennies for the Peace” People can participate simply by bringing their used deposit beverage containers to the Choices Retail & Recycling Centre and donate them to the foundation.

Each month the total dollars raised through this newly established program is directed to the Foundation and used to help purchase priority medical equipment for Peace Arch Hospital.

“Choices Retail & Recycling Centre is committed to preserving the environment and to supporting the work of local charities,” says store manager Gary Allan. He goes on to say “We hope over time our customers will see that bringing their recycling to our centre is not only good for the environment but also a convenient way to support the causes that fund important programs and services within our community – like Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation”.

Donation Enables PAH To Provide State-of-the-art Respiratory Testing

Thanks to a generous donation to the Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation, peninsula residents with lung conditions such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will have local access to state-of-the-art lung function testing beginning March 1.

The $125,000 donation–dedicated to the respiratory department at Peace Arch Hospital by South Surrey residents Helga and Werner (Vern) Hoing–was used to purchase precision respiratory testing equipment currently offered in only two other Lower Mainland hospitals (BC Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial).

“We are incredibly thankful to Mr. and Mrs. Hoing,” said Sandy Wightman, Board Chair, Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. “Having this level of service so close to home will make respiratory testing much easier on patients, especially children and the frail elderly.”

The new equipment includes a $115,000 body plethysmograph or “body box” which calculates lung volume by measuring the precise amount of air displaced in the box when the person inside of it inhales. The 1.68 metre (5.5 ft.) tall by 0.61 metre (2 ft.) deep unit pinpoints the exact location of air resistance in the lung, as well as the lung’s ability to circulate oxygen. Although used to evaluate air volume in relation to singing, the first rudimentary “body box” was invented in 1760 and was made from an oak wine barrel filled with water. When a person, submerged inside from the neck down, filled their lungs with air, a small amount of the water would “overflow” into a beaker where it could then be measured. The amount of water displaced roughly indicated the lung’s air volume.

Having dealt with chronic bronchitis as a young man, Hoing felt a connection to the respiratory department and hopes his donation will inspire others to think about where they can make a difference. “Imagine what the world would be like if everybody made a choice to give something – large or small, based on their personal financial situation.”

Additional equipment purchased with the Hoing’s donation includes a second spirometer station, which measures air flow and volume capacity; an air oscillator, which can immediately confirm an asthma diagnosis; a new fridge to store vials of asthma stimulant; and a much-needed water dispenser for patients. However, the Hoing’s donation will “keep on giving” as the body plethysmograph will generate $96 per test from the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The money will be used to fund on-going respiratory health education clinics throughout the community.

About Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation The Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation is an independent charitable society dedicated to raising money to enhance quality health care for the community of White Rock and South Surrey. Having raised over $46 million to date, the Foundation is committed to ensuring 100 per cent of donor dollars goes directly to capital equipment purchases for Peace Arch Hospital and to fund priority health care initiatives throughout the community. For information on making a donation, call 604-535-4520 or visit www.peacearchhospital.com.