| (OTTAWA, ONTARIO) –
The 2010 edition of Hope and Heroes is being hailed a true
success. Earlier this evening more than 700 people filled
The Westin Ottawa to raise more than $65,000 for The Ottawa
Hospital Rehabilitation Centre (TOHRC).
“It’s great to be surrounded by a community that
understands the need for world-class health care,” said
MCpl Mike Trauner. “I wouldn’t be standing here
today if it weren’t for the unbelievable staff at the
Rehabilitation Centre. They gave me back my legs, but more
than anything, they gave me back my life.”
Trauner, who was the evening’s testimonial speaker,
lost both legs when an explosive device detonated while he
was on foot patrol in Afghanistan in December 2008. He was
treated and rehabilitated at The Ottawa Hospital.
In an effort to meet the physical demands of their returning
personnel like Trauner, the Canadian Forces Health Services
Group is partnering with The Ottawa Hospital to bring a leading-edge
Virtual Reality Laboratory to the Rehabilitation Centre. While
its priority use will be for returning soldiers, other patients
will also benefit from this technology.
Tonight’s event kicked off The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s
fundraising efforts in support of this leading-edge technology.
Also taking place during the course of the evening was the
recognition of our community heroes and young athletes. The
following awards were handed out.
TOHRC Community Partner Award: Jack Purcell
Community Centre
TOHRC Individual Achievement Award: Nathan
Hauch, Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Coordinator, Ottawa/Champlain
Region, Canadian Paraplegic Association
Brian Smith Makes a Difference Award recipient:
- Charles Saunders, President, Kanata Boys Minor Hockey
Ottawa Senators Alumni scholarship recipients:
- Bradley Barton, Sacred heart Catholic Secondary
- Sarah Emily Julienne Halfkenny, Colonel By Secondary School
- Gabrielle Savoie, Ecole Secondaire Gisele Lalonde
- Samantha Coates, AY Jackson Secondary School
The 2010 edition of Hope and Heroes came to a close following
a stellar performance by comedian Ron James.
Now in its seventh year Hope and Heroes, presented by Scotiabank
Group and in partnership with the Ottawa Senators Alumni,
has raised more than $350,000 for The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation
Centre.
The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre specializes in
the physical rehabilitation of adults who have experienced
a disabling physical illness or injury.
The Ottawa Senators Alumni was established in 1992. This
41-member group of former NHL hockey players has raised more
than $1.4 million and given many hours of their time to local
charity events.
The Ottawa Hospital is a multi-campus, academic health sciences
centre, serving 1.2 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.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Ingrid Gingras
Media Relations and Marketing Officer
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
igingras@ottawahospital.on.ca
Tel.: 613-798-5555, ext. 18718
Cell: 613-218-1976
|
