CALGARY, Sept. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, ATB Financial associates and clients made a gift to the Alberta Children's Hospital that will support life-saving care for some of the most critically-ill children in Southern Alberta, southwestern Saskatchewan, and southeastern British Columbia.
ATB's 14th annual Teddy for a Toonie campaign raised $331,000 to support the hospital's Pediatric Critical Care Transport Program (PCCTP).
"With this generous donation from ATB Financial, severely sick and injured children in rural areas of southern Alberta, along with parts of Saskatchewan and BC, will benefit from specialized pediatric intensive care services even before they enter the doors of our hospital," says Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation. "When every minute counts, parents are so grateful for the expertise that is available for their children as a result of this life-saving program."
"Our hospital is equipped with highly-trained pediatric specialists and the latest medical equipment and technology designed for treating children - much of which is not available at general hospitals," says Tanya Spence, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Program Coordinator for the PCCTP. "Our experts take a "portable intensive care unit" out to help kids too sick to be cared for in many of Alberta's smaller communities." Rushing by plane, helicopter or ground ambulance to begin treating children on site, these experts continue to provide life-saving care while transporting them to the Alberta Children's Hospital where they can benefit from the hospital's full Emergency Department and ICU resources.
"ATB has strong roots in rural Alberta, so the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Program is near and dear to our hearts," says Wellington Holbrook, ATB's Executive Vice-President, Business and Agriculture. "We want to make sure every child in Alberta has the same access to the very best medical care, no matter what his or her address is. Hopefully, this year's Teddy for a Toonie contribution helps continue to make that possible."
Over the last fourteen years, ATB Financial has raised $6 million for Alberta children's health and wellness. ATB fundraising activities during the campaign range from raffles to auctions to golf tournaments. From May 1 - May 31, 2013, customers also donated $2 to the cause by entering a draw to win a teddy bear at each ATB Financial location.
About ATB Financial ATB Financial is the largest Alberta-based financial institution, with assets of more than $33 billion. ATB provides personal, business, agriculture, corporate and investor financial services to more than 662,000 Albertans and Alberta-based businesses in 242 communities. ATB provides service through 171 branches and 130 agencies, mobile, telephone, and online banking, a Customer Care Centre, and automated banking machines. ATB was established in 1938 and has been a provincial Crown corporation since 1997. ATB has won numerous national workplace awards, including recognition as one of Canada's best 50 employers. ATB Financial turns 75 this year.
About the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health, research and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative programs, state-of-the-art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research. Its support for research dates back more than 30 years.
Image with caption: "ATB Financial presents $331,000 to Alberta Children's Hospital, Sept 27 2013 (CNW Group/Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130927_C5427_PHOTO_EN_31486.jpg
SOURCE: Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
Contacts:
Jody Schwartz, Sr. Associate, Communications
Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
403 955 8813 [email protected]
Glenn Kubish, Director of Media & Story
ATB Financial
780 408 6529 [email protected]
Share this article