May 8, 2009/- The $70 Million Together We Can campaign is marking its latest milestone with the launch of a new region-wide program to search for donor stories about our hospitals.

The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care, today launched “The Story of Our Hospitals”, an initiative which invites donors across Southeastern Ontario to share their stories of why they support our hospitals. The announcement came in conjunction with a regular update on campaign progress, which noted that  the Together We Can campaign total has climbed to $59 Million.

“Everybody is part of the story of our hospitals. We all benefit from the health care they provide and we all have a responsibility to support them,” said Ian Wilson, Chair of the Together We Can campaign. “We’re asking donors to tell us their stories, and by doing so they’ll become part of the 170 year story of our hospitals.”

Donors have until June 6th to submit a story about why they support our hospitals. The top four selections will be posted online and the public will be asked to vote on them. The favourite story will be featured in the Together We Can campaign’s ads and website.

“The Story of Our Hospitals” comes as one of the greatest chapters in the history of our hospitals is being written – the redevelopment of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. Redevelopment is the greatest change in health care in Southeastern Ontario in a generation. The Foundation’s $70 million Together We Can campaign will raise the money to make redevelopment happen.

The campaign started at $50 Million at the public launch in June, 2008. A major gift of $2 million by philanthropist Larry Gibson on Launch Day put the total at $52 million. The total rose to $55 million at the end of September and $57 million in early November.

“Thanks to our many donors, we’ve had some great success. But our hospitals need support now more than ever. The economic downturn means that some donors may not be able to support the campaign as they planned. Our challenge will be to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. Hopefully, these donor stories will inspire more people to give to our hospitals,” said Wilson.

Campaign Chair Ian Wilson announces $59 Million
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
THE STORY OF OUR HOSPITALS 

 
Click here