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Southlake dives into fundraising campaign for Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool

Newmarket, Ontario - April 12, 2005 -

Patients and volunteers from all over York Region and Simcoe County cheered when they learned that Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation is launching a $1.8 million community fundraising campaign to renovate the Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool.

Whipper Watson Challenge! Campaign Chair Joe Persechini challenged the people of York Region and Simcoe County to help raise the money needed to install new equipment, completely renovate the pool and build a special pediatric section. “This pool was built by our community, for our community,” says Mr. Persechini “and now we need the community’s help to re-open the pool and keep providing this very special service at Southlake.”

“The pool program at Southlake means so much to me,” states Mr. Gerry Lebel who has been attending hydrotherapy sessions twice a week since he became disabled from polyneuopathy (a condition of the peripheral nerves that causes weakness and paralysis of the legs and arms) in 1998. “I’ve seen countless kids and babies with various disabilities who are getting the same benefits,” he continues. “I’m just as worried about them being without the pool as I am about myself.”

Built in 1976, thanks to the vision and successful fundraising efforts of World Heavyweight Champion wrestler Whipper Billy Watson, the therapeutic pool at Southlake is the only hospital-based facility of its kind in York Region and is home to one of Canada’s only volunteer-supported hydrotherapy programs. Together, Southlake’s team of five specially trained physiotherapists, four physiotherapy assistants and 50 dedicated volunteers manage some 26,000 patient visits each year.

According to Dan Carriere, President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre, the availability of a therapeutic pool program in the hospital provides many benefits to patients.

“Water therapy is very helpful to people who are too weak or in too much pain to exercise effectively out of water,” states Mr. Carriere. “Following hip and knee surgery, patients can move more freely in the warm water and perform important exercises that allows them to recover faster.”

At close to 30-years old, the pool’s mechanical equipment, patient chair lift and change room facilities are at the end of their lifespan and require replacement and extensive renovations. Since closing in the summer of 2004, hospitalized patients no longer have access to the benefits of hydrotherapy and only a few of the highest risk patients are receiving rehabilitation pool therapy at a private facility in Newmarket.

The Whipper Watson Challenge! campaign has already started receiving pledges and donations from community service groups and individual donors. Proceeds from the Newmarket Lions’ Chilifest, The Beta Sigma Phi Gift Wrapping and the Newmarket Stingrays tag days have already been earmarked to support The Whipper Watson Challenge! Many individuals and families who have benefited from the hydrotherapy program have also made donations.

“We’ve already raised $552,000 even before the official campaign launch,” says Joe Persechini. “There is such a positive response from people when they hear what a difference the pool therapy program can make in the lives of people who live with constant pain, I just know this campaign will be successful!”

For more information about The Whipper Watson Challenge! or to make a donation contact the Southlake Foundation at 905-836-7333 or foundation@southlakeregional.org

Contact: Neila Poscente
Director, Marketing and Communications
905-836-7333 or 416-464-2449 (cell)
nposcente@southlakeregional.org

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