June 30, 2009/- The “Story of Our Hospitals” has been chosen. In voting online, by phone and email, the public has selected The Andy Fund as the top donor story about the university hospitals of Kingston.

“Every story we received was full of courage and hope. It must have been hard for the public to choose just one. We’re very pleased to make The Andy Fund the story of our hospitals,” said Ian Wilson, Chair of the Together We Can campaign.

The story of The Andy Fund was chosen as the favourite during a 16 day voting period. It told the story of how one boy’s fight against cancer inspired one of the best-known fundraising efforts in Kingston.

“It is our hope that all of these stories will inspire others to give to Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. We’re all part of the 170-year history of our hospitals. We all have a responsibility to make them the best they can be. That’s why we need everyone to donate,” said Wilson.

The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation’s The Story of Our Hospitals project searched all across Southeastern Ontario for stories. Nearly 30 submissions were made, including stories from Kingston, Belleville, Enterprise, Peterborough, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. Four finalists were named on June 11th. Most of the stories are available at www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.

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.

Left to right: Andy Fund President Elaine Clark; Together We Can Chair Ian Wilson; and Andy Fund Founding President Ruth George