Participants in the MDS Nordion Ottawa Hospital Race Weekend Challenge have more than just crossing the finish line to be proud of – together they raised more than $835,560 for The Ottawa Hospital, an all-time record!

“The Ottawa community never ceases to amaze us,” says Susan Doyle, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “We had a record number of teams this year raising a record amount of funds. What an unbelievable success!”

A major boost came from 20-20 Team which designated its funds to the expansion of The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. Earlier today Steve Madely, 20-20 Team Champion, announced $444,230 had been raised for this expansion thanks to the efforts of his team, as well as many community leaders and local businesses such as: Accu-Rate, Jackie Holzman and the Holzman Team, Turnbull School, MDS Nordion and Great West Life.

Part of the 20-20 Team’s success can be attributed to the friendly rivalry between Councillor Alex Cullen and Ottawa Police Chief Vern White. The two were battling it out for top fundraising dollars and bragging rights.

Money raised by the other teams and individuals support various areas of Hospital and include stroke and diabetes research, the Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Department, the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, the Eye Institute, diabetes and many more worthwhile programs and departments.

“We are proud to be part of this record breaking year for The Ottawa Hospital’s Race Weekend Challenge,” says Steve West, President, MDS Nordion. Our employees have embraced the 20 | 20 Campaign, supporting the Cancer Centre expansion, ensuring that this important resource is accessible to everyone in the community.”

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre at the General Campus is undergoing the largest expansion in its history. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s 20-20 Campaign aims to raise $20 million in 20 months for the project, which will double the current size of the Centre.The expansion of The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre is critical. The Ottawa Hospital is the hub of cancer care in our region and this year alone, more than 21,000 patients will rely on its fully integrated outpatient centre for treatment. This represents more than 190,000 patient visits.

The Ottawa Hospital is a multi-campus, academic health sciences centre, serving 1.5 million residents of Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, both in English and French. It provides care for more patients than any other hospital in Canada, and boasts specialty centres in cancer, heart, kidney and vision care, as well as rehabilitation services. For more information, visit The Ottawa Hospital Web site at www.ottawahospital.on.ca.

The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s mission is to inspire and enable people to support the highest quality health care at The Ottawa Hospital and lifesaving research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. For more information, visit The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Web site at www.ohfoundation.ca.

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