Nov. 21, 2007/- Queen’s University student’s Goat Face Non-Profit Group today pledged $150,000 toward the future of Providence Care’s palliative care program.

Ryan Marien and Jonathan Medalsy, co-directors of the Goat Face Non-Profit Group, announced the three year pledge during a cheque presentation event at the Harbour Restaurant.

“We want to support palliative care because it is something in the community that touches everyone equally and is an area of health care that is often underfunded,” said Medalsy, as he announced the pledge and presented University Hospitals Kingston Foundation with a cheque for $35,000, the proceeds from the students’ 2007 fundraising efforts.

The money will be directed toward Providence Care’s redevelopment for a new hospital that will bring together the programs currently offered at the St. Mary’s of the Lake and Mental Health Services sites. The Goat Face Non-Profit Group funds will specifically support the palliative care unit at the new hospital.

“It is heartwarming to see young students who are just starting their careers taking the time to help patients nearing the end of their lives,” said Peter Merkley, Vice Chair of the Foundation. “We are extremely thankful to the Goat Face Non-Profit Group for their commitment to our community, for improving the quality of life for palliative care patients, and for supporting hospital redevelopment in Southeastern Ontario.”

In 2006, Queen’s University students’ transformed their annual spring formal, the Goat Face Ball, into a fundraiser for to support the palliative care unit at Providence Care's St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital. In its first two years the event has raised more than $50,000 to enhance palliative care and provide patients and their families with the most comfortable and caring environment during end of life care.

Providence Care has offered its palliative care program at St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital for the past 20 years. The unit has six inpatient beds, and provides compassionate care and support to end-of-life patients and their families.