June 23, 2008/- 
The Kingston General Hospital Auxiliary today announced their $2.5-million pledge to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation’s Together We Can fundraising campaign for redevelopment at Kingston General Hospital (KGH).  Today’s gift, along with a $2.5-million pledge in 2003 toward the expansion of the hospital’s operating rooms, brings the Auxiliary’s total redevelopment giving to $5-million. 

“I am thrilled that the more than 400 dedicated members of the KGH Auxiliary have once again made an outstanding commitment to patient care at KGH,” said Ian Wilson, Campaign Chair for the Foundation. “The tireless work of the members of the KGH Auxiliary to raise these funds every year is astounding and greatly appreciated. And being able to announce this pledge in the early days of our public campaign makes this a very special gift.”   

Today’s pledge, which is included in the $52-million already raised by the Foundation, will be directed to two key Kingston General Hospital projects: expansion of Central Processing Services, which carries out the sterilization and distribution of hospital materials and equipment – including all operating room instruments; and a new, expanded Dialysis Unit.  

KGH provides dialysis services for patients with kidney failure through its in-hospital facility, home dialysis, satellite clinics and peritoneal dialysis service.
The new and expanded inpatient Dialysis Unit, to be built on the third floor of the redeveloped Burr Wing, will increase from 26 to 40 stations to support the growing numbers of kidney patients in the region. Central Processing Services will increase in size and receive equipment upgrades to provide the most efficient sterilization and distribution services possible to KGH’s operating rooms and other clinical areas.

“We are very proud to be a part of the exciting redevelopment at Kingston General Hospital,” said Janet Swaine, KGH Auxiliary President. “We know that the expansion of Central Processing Services is critical to infection control within the hospital and our patients’ access to surgery. We also know that support for the expansion of the Dialysis Unit will not only increase patients’ access to dialysis; it will ensure these patients’ receive treatment in a bright and modern care environment.”

Joe de Mora, KGH President and CEO, also announced today that the KGH Auxiliary will be the first donors recognized as Distinguished Guardians, the highest donor designation, on KGH’s Hall of Honour for today’s gift and their previous $2.5-million pledge toward the expansion of the hospital’s operating rooms.

The Auxiliary’s gift is part of Together We Can – the largest and most ambitious fundraising campaign in the 170-year history of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. Redevelopment at KGH also includes an expanded Cancer Centre, new home within KGH for the Pediatric Inpatient Unit, more intensive care unit and medical/surgical beds and a new Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

The Kingston General Hospital Auxiliary was established in 1905. Today the Auxiliary has over 400 members dedicated to patient care at KGH. The Auxiliary reaches out to patients and families every day through volunteers at the help desk in the main lobby, special care visits, hair care and family service facilities. The Auxiliary also raises funds through various ventures including the gift shop, café, lottery booth and cash draws and has contributed many millions of dollars over the past 99 years to the hospital for essential equipment, staff education, furnishings and patient comforts.