Candid Comments From Mayor Hazel McCallion

Toronto Star Interview Dec 31, 2008

Candid and valid advice about fiscal responsibility.

In times of economic turmoil we have proven experienced people at the helm.

Trillium Health Centre Unveils the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health Signage at Mayor's 88th Birthday Celebration

         Community shows its heart for Mayor Hazel McCallion, donating more than $12 million to date

MISSISSAUGA/WEST TORONTO, ON, Feb. 14 /CNW/ - Trillium Health Centre today celebrated Mayor Hazel McCallion's 88th birthday as part of its "I Heart Hazel" campaign to raise funds for the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health. 

Mayor McCallion unveiled the signage for the cardiac centre named in her honour.     

Birthday festivities also included an honour guard salute, a performance of "Happy Birthday" by the Heart and Soulz choir from Hazel McCallion Senior Public School, and a presentation to the Mayor of a Heart Art quilt created by patients from Trillium's Complex Continuing Care program.     

"Mayor McCallion's birthday marks an important milestone in this campaign," said Kim Warburton, chair of the Trillium Health Centre Foundation board. "It was such a pleasure to celebrate with the Mayor and to be able to give her the gift of knowing that over $12 million has already been raised for the cardiac centre named in her honour."     

The Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health at Trillium Health Centre is one of the nation's busiest and most advanced cardiac care centres, providing the citizens of Mississauga, West Toronto and the surrounding area with access to advanced cardiac services and care within their community.

"When someone requires lifesaving cardiac care, it is important that it is delivered quickly within minutes of home or work, by the best clinical staff, using the latest technologies," said Janet Davidson, O.C., president and CEO, Trillium Health Centre. "Trillium is a recognized leader in advanced cardiac care, providing this community and the surrounding region with the best in diagnostics, cardiology, cardiac surgery and rehabilitation."

The Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health also conducts half of the minimally-invasive beating heart surgeries in Canada and is one of the few hospitals implanting defibrillators directly into patients' chests to help maintain their heart rhythms.

In 2008, the Trillium Health Centre Foundation launched a campaign to raise $15 million for the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health. Eight leading corporations and community leaders, the "cardiac champions" pledged to give half of the $15 million campaign goal.     

These cardiac champions - Fred Ketchen, Robert and Francine Barrett, Nameh and Jacqueline Jabbour, the Bank of Montreal, Ralph Chiodo, and Ethel Taylor - are matching dollar-for-dollar the amount donated by the community.     "We are so grateful to the community for their ongoing support and to Tim Hortons and Mattamy Homes for their partnership," said Warburton. "Thanks to the generosity of our cardiac champions, corporate partners and individual members of the community, our target of $15 million is in sight."     

The $15 million fundraising initiative will help Trillium treat high-risk patients without delay in expanded catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories, diagnose complex heart disease earlier and more accurately with new equipment and technologies, benefit cardiac patients here and across Canada by increasing research capacity, and acquire next generation diagnostic equipment.     

Those interested in making a donation or learning more can visit www.ihearthazel.com. Donations can also be arranged by contacting the Trillium Health Centre Foundation at 905.848.7575.      About Trillium Health Centre      Trillium Health Centre is one of Canada's largest community hospitals with regional programs in cardiac, stroke, neurosurgery, orthopaedic, and sexual assault and domestic violence services. Housing a model ambulatory care centre and the largest free standing day surgery centre in North America, Trillium serves more than one million residents in Peel and West Toronto and from other communities across Ontario. With the continued support of the Trillium Health Centre Foundation, the hospital's fundraising arm, the two-site facility is attracting international attention for its innovative approach to providing health care services and has received numerous national awards for quality and innovation. For more information, visit www.trilliumhealthcentre.org. 

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