June 17, 2008
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > Media Room > June 17, 2008

Golf fundraiser fulfills local RBC branches’ Emergency Centre pledge early

Surrey, B.C. – A major fundraiser has completed its goal of raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Emergency Centre Campaign a year sooner than expected.

RBC Financial Group’s Surrey and White Rock branches are fulfilling their $300,000 pledge as a result of their 4th annual RBC Dominion Securities Invitational Golf Classic. “It speaks highly to the dedication of the event’s organizers that they have surpassed their five-year goal in only four years,” says Foundation President/CEO Jane Adams.

On top of the $300,000 donation raised through employee fundraising activities, RBC has committed a further $150,000 to the Emergency Centre Campaign through its RBC Foundation.

"Why do we do this? It's simple. Sooner or later, you, one of your loved ones, a co-worker, or a friend will need Surrey Memorial. Perhaps to save their life,” states Lorraine Rumberg, Branch Manager of RBC Dominion Securities. “It is our responsibility, both corporately and individually, to make sure we have done all we can to help our hospital fill that need."

The RBC Dominion Securities Invitational Golf Classic, held at Surrey’s Hazelmere Golf Course, brings together RBC employees and clients to raise funds for the replacement to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current Emergency Department. RBC’s event is held in conjunction with the Greater Vancouver Charity Classic, a not-for-profit golf tournament hosted by the Canadian Tour and the West Coast Golf group.

Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current E.R. – the busiest in B.C. - was originally 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 E.R., 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.

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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
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. Making life better.