Community rallies behind Richmond Hospital


The Community Cares Street Team promotes the event outside Richmond Hospital.

Over $330,000 has been raised by the Chinese-Canadian community so far this year in support of Richmond Hospital Foundation which includes an outpouring of community support for the Foundation’s 5th Annual Community Cares Radio-Telethon held October 6th, Natalie Meixner, Richmond Hospital Foundation President & CEO reported today.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from the entire community for our Community Cares Day”, said Ms. Meixner. “We greatly expanded the reach of our event this year, and we surpassed all of our goals thanks to the tremendous generosity of donors.”

The 5th Annual Community Cares Radio-Telethon aired on October 6th as a partnership between Fairchild Television, Fairchild Radio (AM 1470 & FM 96.1), and CHMB AM1320 to seek community support for Richmond Hospital Foundation. The event highlighted the needs of Richmond Hospital through an exclusive two hour prime-time special on Fairchild television across Canada and all-day radio broadcasts.

For the first time the event also included prominent supporter booths at both Richmond Centre and Aberdeen Centre, as well as a “Street Team” comprised of dozens of volunteers to promote the Foundation’s cause on the streets of Richmond. A record of over 100 volunteers participated in this year’s Community Cares Day.

“The community is rallying behind the needs of Richmond Hospital in increasing numbers because people realize that health care touches everyone,” said Paul Oei, Committee Chair for the event. “The Chinese-Canadian community is showing tremendous support for Richmond Hospital Foundation, now comprising almost 50% of all donors.”

The focuses of this year’s Community Cares Radio-Telethon included features about the need for upgrades to two minimally invasive surgical suites at Richmond Hospital, improvements for Richmond Hospital’s Birth Centre, and supporting Richmond’s community of care. Community Cares Day sponsorship levels were up almost 70% over the previous year.

“The donations received from the Community Cares Radio-Telethon ensures we can move forward with some the hospital’s priority needs,” said Ms. Meixner. “The success of this year’s event means we’ll be able to do that much more to help our medical teams provide excellent care for patients.”

For 25 years, Richmond Hospital Foundation has raised over $40 million in support of quality health care in Richmond. Contributions in support of the Community Cares Day will be accepted until the end of October by phone at 604-244-5252, or online at www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com.