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Anonymous Donors Give $1.5 Million To Southlake Campaign

Newmarket, Ontario - An anonymous family in King Township has generously donated $1.5 Million to Southlake Regional Health Centre's "Nurture the Future" Campaign, bringing the campaign total to $9.5 Million, almost two thirds of the way to the $15 Million goal.

"We are delighted to announce this outstanding example of generosity," said Bob McGavin, Campaign Chairman. "This marks a new high in personal giving to the Campaign, and to the Foundation itself." The $1.5 Million gift is the largest donation ever received in the history of Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, which was incorporated in 1978.

As the donor family requested, the Foundation will direct the $1.5 Million to Rehabilitation Services at Southlake Regional. Combining physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy with innovative new facilities and accomplished clinical staff, the new Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre will provide expert care for stroke patients, accident victims and others who need rehabilitation to return to an active lifestyle.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has devised a new "stroke strategy" to care for patients who are diagnosed with stroke. The new strategy is centred on a plan to designate particular hospitals as District Stroke Centres within their geographical region. The Simcoe York District Health Council has recommended Southlake Regional Health Centre as one of three hospitals to be District Stroke Centres in York Region and Simcoe County.

These three hospitals have also been asked to indicate their interest in assuming an enhanced leadership role, working towards the designation of Regional Stroke Centre, handling the most serious stroke cases. With its strong record of providing regional services in cardiac care, paediatric and newborn care, child and adolescent mental health and arthritis, Southlake Regional is eager to take on this challenge.

"Our clinical record in establishing top quality regional programs has already been proven," says Dan Carriere, CEO of Southlake Regional. "This record donation also proves that we have the community support to provide another vital service for our patients. This is an additional asset that will help us make a strong presentation to the Ministry."

Although the family was initially interested in supporting a number of different hospital services, their experience in witnessing a vital, healthy family member undergo the trauma of a severe stroke, and his subsequent and ongoing progress through rehabilitation made the area most meaningful for them.

"We are so proud to have the support of families like this one, whose generosity will help thousands of patients and families during a very difficult time." Says Catherine Hinton, Foundation President. "We are also delighted that we were able to accommodate their wishes, and support their desire to give to this specific area. They feel great about supporting the hospital, and the Foundation feels great about being able to match their generosity to an area of the hospital that is so personally significant."

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