RVH receives $5 million present

Royal Victoria Hospital's I Believe capital fundraising campaign received an early Christmas present today from the RVH Auxiliary - a staggering $5 million.

The auxiliary pledged that amount to the Simcoe- Muksoka Regional Cancer Centre exactly three years ago.

Recently, in front of a capacity crowd, the volunteers announced they have raised the money and fulfilled their pledge a full two years ahead of schedule.

"Raising $5 million over five years seemed like a lofty goal," said auxiliary president Betty Fyshe, dressed as Mrs. Claus and pulling 'million-dollar bills' out of her gift sack recently. "But the outstanding efforts of the auxiliary, and its dedication to the cancer centre, made it a reality. We really worked hard to meet our pledge and I know each and every volunteer is as proud as I am of this marvelous achievement. We raised the money the oldfashioned way - with a lot of hard work and perseverance."

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman was on-hand for the celebration and commended RVH's volunteers for their outstanding efforts and remarkable achievement.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting many of RVH's volunteers on a number of occasions and am continually impressed by their tremendous dedication and contribution to this hospital," said Smitherman. "Volunteers are such an integral part of the hospital team and so clearly wellrespected by the community. Today's gift is just another shining example of how valuable a resource they truly are."

The auxiliary recently celebrated its 110th anniversary and is no stranger to supporting the hospital.

In fact, it was members of the auxiliary who raised $1,100 for the very first hospital in Barrie in 1897. That generosity and commitment has never wavered.

Other sizeable gifts have included $250,000 for a CT scanner in 1985, a $1 million gift to build the current facility, and $750,000 for Simcoe County's only interventional radiology suite two years ago.

The funds were raised through bake sales, tag days, craft bazaars, and proceeds of sales from the hospital coffee bar and gift shop. This is in addition to the more than 130,000 hours of service the volunteers provide to 98 different areas of the hospital.

"The volunteers, or 'Blue Brigade' really are the heart and soul of Royal Vic.," said Janice Skot, RVH president and CEO.

"Without them, the hospital would simply not function as efficiently as it does.

"Their volunteer service alone is invaluable and when you factor in the tremendous $5 million gift, there is absolutely no doubt in any of our minds that they truly are a priceless treasure."

Construction for the first phase of the RVH expansion, which includes the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, is slated to get underway in the fall of 2008. Once complete, itwill include 101 new inpatient beds, an expanded emergency, laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments, two new operating rooms and a dedicated coronary care unit. The completion date is scheduled for 2011.