November 3,2010/-KINGSTON, ON   Two young philanthropists, best friends Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley, the organizers of the Strokes Fore Hopes golf marathon fundraiser, presented a cheque for $58,500 today, to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.  The funds will support the redevelopment of the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital.

 

left to right: Pierre Gaumond, Director, KGH Foundation; Jim Flett, Chief Operating Officer, KGH; Kelly Bodie, Program Manager, Ambulatory Oncology; Ian Wilson, Together We Can campaign chair; Brenda Carter, Regional Vice President, Cancer Services; Andrew Fazackerley; Edward Goodfellow; Cathy Goodfellow

“We are very happy and proud to know that Strokes Fore Hopes has played an important part in the amazing redevelopment of the cancer centre here at KGH.  On a recent tour of the brand new outpatient clinic we were able to see the new equipment and comfortable rooms now available for patients and staff,” said Edward Goodfellow.  “We’ve had tremendous support from the community over the past three years, and want to thank everyone who supported our cause,” added Andrew Fazackerley.

Each year since 2008, Edward, 26, and Andrew, 23, have staged a marathon golf event to raise awareness and funds for cancer programs.  This year, the event was held on June 24-25 and it rained throughout the night.  Despite the weather the two friends managed, along with some others who had ‘pledged to play,’ to complete their 24-hour golf marathon and finished walking over seven consecutive rounds at Rivendell Golf Course.

This year’s amount, added to the funds raised by Strokes Fore Hopes events held in 2009 and 2008, brings the total amount raised to $108,000.  With the 9 to 1 match of government funding the donation will provide more than $1 million in construction funding for the cancer centre.

Brenda Carter, Regional Vice-President of Cancer Services at KGH, expressed appreciation on behalf of the hospital. “We can’t thank you enough for making such a wonderful personal commitment to inspire the generosity of the community.  The funds raised through Strokes Fore Hopes have helped us to upgrade and modernize our facilities and improve the patient and caregiver
experience in the cancer centre.” 
 
A special surprise announcement capped off the cheque presentation event.
The two young men were presented with a cake and balloons along with the news that they have been chosen as this year’s winners of a prestigious international award for young philanthropists.

The duo will receive the Changing Our World/Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Ages 18-23, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at their annual International Conference to be held next March in Chicago. The honour comes almost one year to the day after the duo was named South Eastern Ontario’s Outstanding Young Philanthropists by the local chapter of AFP.  The pair are the first Canadians to have won the award in their age category.

Award winners Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley

The award recognizes service by an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. Their nomination was submitted by the local South Eastern Ontario AFP chapter, and is part of that group’s annual recognition of the individuals, groups, companies and organizations which make a difference in our communities, as part of National Philanthropy Day in November.

About the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
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 redevelopment of our hospitals, the purchasing of equipment and the funding of medical research and staff education. Can we change tomorrow’s health care? Together We Can. To find out more or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free in Southeastern Ontario at 866-549-5452. You can also go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca for more information.