June 2,2010/-KINGSTON, Ontario, – DuPont announced today that it is contributing $50,000 to the “Together We Can” campaign to help update, rebuild and expand facilities at Kingston’s hospitals.

“We are pleased to contribute to advancing the important specialized health services provided by Kingston’s hospitals,” said Dave Yake, director of DuPont’s Kingston Research and Business Development Centre.  “DuPont has a long history of community involvement in the Kingston and Maitland communities that are both served by Kingston’s hospitals.  We know the importance of supporting initiatives that improve the sustainability of our site communities for our employees, retirees and neighbours.”

DuPont will be providing $10,000 per year for five years.  The contribution will help to fund a range of capital projects to redevelop Kingston’s hospitals – Hotel Dieu, Kingston General (KGH) and Providence Care.   The project list includes the expansion to the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at KGH, the construction of new outpatient clinics at Hotel Dieu and the construction of a brand new hospital to replace the aging facilities at the St. Mary’s of the Lake and Mental Health Services sites of Providence Care.  The Province of Ontario will cover 90 percent of the eligible construction costs.  The remaining 10 percent of the construction cost – plus the cost of equipment – is expected to total $70 million, which must be raised by the community. 

“DuPont has been an exceptional supporter of our hospitals in the past. With this commitment, DuPont is once again leading the way among the manufacturing sector with operations in the broad region we serve,” said Dale Kenney, President and CEO of Providence Care.  “We hope that other area manufacturers will now join with DuPont and contribute their support so that we can reach our goal and continue the vital work we are doing to better meet the needs of the 500,000 people in our region who depend on Kingston’s hospitals for their health care.”

(Pictured left to right)  Bob Shackles, Maitland Plant Manager, DuPont Canada; Don Large, Kingston General Hospital Foundation;  Dale Kenney, CEO Providence Care; Glenn Wood, Operations Director; DuPont Canada; Denise Cumming, Executive Director UHKF, Dave Yake Director, Kingston Research and Business Development Centre, DuPont Canada, Ian Wilson, Chair, Together We Can campaign; Sister Sheila Langton, Chair, Providence Care Foundation Board.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  DuPont’s origins in Canada extend back to 1877.  Today, the company has 1300 employees in locations across the country.  The Research and Business Development Centre in Kingston, Ontario, has a more than 50-year tradition of excellence contributing R&D and engineering expertise that supports DuPont businesses around the world.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.  For more information, please visit our company’s Web site at www.ca.dupont.com.

The $70-million Together We Can campaign is the largest and most important health care fundraising initiative in the history of Southeastern Ontario.  Led by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the joint fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care, the campaign will raise money for the re-development of our hospitals, the purchasing of equipment and the funding of medical research and staff education. To find out more about giving opportunities, or to make a donation, call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452, or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.