September 20, 2007
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > Media Room > September 20, 2007

Taiwan based non-profit group commits to Emergency Centre Campaign

Surrey, B.C. – The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation of Canada has pledged $155,704 to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s new Emergency Centre,
 

The non-profit organization is a partner in Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation’s $15 million Emergency Centre Campaign. The Tzu Chi Foundation has agreed to sponsor one of the new Children’s ER Isolation Rooms, which will allow young patients with weakened immune systems and communicable illnesses to be treated in an area that is separated from the general pediatric and adult patient population.
 

A volunteer-based, spiritual as well as welfare organization, Tzu Chi’s missions focus on giving material aid and inspiring love and humanity in both the givers and receivers. Since its founding, the Foundation has dedicated itself in the field of charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, as well as the promotion of humanistic values and community volunteerism. Today, Tzu Chi is an international organization with over 1 million volunteers and 10 million members. Go to www.tzuchi.ca for more information.
 

Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current ER – the busiest in B.C. - was designed to handle about 44,000 visits a year but has instead been seeing close to 70,000 patients a year.
 

The new Emergency Centre, at triple the size of the current facility, will include a separate children’s ER, as well as a separate mental health and addictions area, an enhanced minor treatment unit, and an improved area for acute patients.

The B.C. government has committed to funding the essentials of a replacement to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current E.R. The Foundation’s $15-million campaign will ensure the new Emergency Centre is state-of-the-art. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2008.
 

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For more information or interviews, contact:
Jason Howe
Public Affairs Director
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe[at]fraserhealth.ca
www.smhfoundation.com