Tournament to support Research & Learning Tower at SickKids
TORONTO, Febuary 1, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - SickKids Foundation and The Mike Weir Foundation today announced The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids, presented by Thomson Reuters, will be held in Toronto this spring with proceeds supporting the Research & Learning Tower Campaign at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
TSN and CTV sportscaster Rod Black and 11-year-old SickKids patient ambassador Tobin Haas were joined by Mike Weir via Skype to make the announcement at an event at the Hospital this morning.
The tournament will take place June 7, 2011, at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham and at the prestigious Goodwood golf course. To date, the annual Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids has raised more than $2.5 million for paediatric health care across Canada.
"I am thrilled to be coming to Toronto this spring and help raise additional funds for SickKids," says Mike Weir, professional golfer. "Hosting the past four tournaments across Canada has been incredibly rewarding and I look forward to the prospect of getting closer to our $10-million goal to support children's health."
A special evening reception for VIP guests and sponsors will be held on June 6 to kick-off the tournament. Nigel Hollidge, Vice President, Business Development, Angus Glen Golf Club, shared his excitement about the tournament coming to Angus Glen and the Goodwood course at the announcement this morning.
"Hosting The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids is a great honour for Angus Glen Golf Club," said Hollidge. "Participants will get a unique opportunity to play on a beautifully maintained, challenging and exciting golf course, while having an impact on the health of future generations of aspiring golfers."
The Mike Weir Foundation works in support of Children's Miracle Network to benefit paediatric hospitals across Canada. The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids was most recently held in Winnipeg in June 2010 and raised $625,000 for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.
"This event will have a tremendous impact on SickKids and we are so grateful for that," says John Francis, SickKids Foundation Board Chair-Elect. "The Mike Weir Foundation has created a unique fundraising initiative and SickKids is fortunate to be the beneficiary in 2011 with an important boost to the SickKids Research & Learning Tower campaign."
The SickKids Research & Learning Tower Campaign kicked off in May 2010 with a special groundbreaking ceremony. When complete, the Tower will be a 21-storey, 750,000-square-foot hub for paediatric health research and education in Toronto's Discovery District. The $400-million Tower will bring together 2,000 scientists and staff from SickKids Research Institute and is slated to be completed by 2013.
In addition to the tournament, SickKids is organizing a Kids Putt for SickKids event preceding the tournament on June 4 at Ontario Place. This is one way the community can help support the patients and families who rely on SickKids. Children have the opportunity to play mini golf, compete for prizes and fundraise for the chance to meet Mike Weir. Individuals are invited to register now at www.sickkidsfoundation.com/page/kidsputt.
About The Mike Weir Foundation
The Mike Weir Foundation is dedicated to advancing the physical, emotional and educational welfare of children in Canada. Since its inception and through the support of our generous sponsors and donors we are proud to report that more than $5 million has been raised for children's wellness. Over the past five years, The Mike Weir Foundation has provided more than $3 million in support of children's health care and related causes as well as a wide variety of other children's issues. Hundreds of local and national children's charities have received support from The Mike Weir Foundation to assist their causes. Beyond direct monetary contributions, the Foundation also helps charities raise money through a Mike Weir memorabilia charitable giving program which helps charities obtain auction items for fundraising purposes.
About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. These hospitals, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase specialized equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca.
About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, health care and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.
About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation is the fundraising organization for The Hospital for Sick Children - one of Canada's most research-intensive hospitals and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. The Foundation's fundraising is driven by the belief that improving the health and well-being of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society.
Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for The Hospital for Sick Children. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $52.5 million in children's health research, education and care. A direct result of community support, this is one of the largest investments in paediatric health care and one of the largest contributions to a hospital anywhere in Canada. In addition to its support of The Hospital for Sick Children, the Foundation has a mandate to support children's health on a national basis. Through its National Grants Program, SickKids Foundation has directed more than $75 million to paediatric researchers across Canada over the past 38 years.
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