MONTRÉAL, Sept. 16, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban and his foundation, the P.K. Subban Foundation, have pledged a minimum of $10 million to the Montreal Children's Hospital, the largest philanthropic commitment ever made by a professional athlete in Canada. As part of the agreement, Subban will also assist the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation as a spokesperson for select Foundation fundraising campaigns and flagship events. In recognition of this extraordinary support, the Children's officially inaugurates the "P.K. Subban Atrium," the 486-square-meter, three-story public space located at the heart of the hospital's new facilities.
"P.K. is a person of character, who strives for success, always working at new ways to stay on top of his game and he understands the value of teamwork," says Martine Alfonso, Associate Executive Director of the Montreal Children's Hospital. "He is an outstanding role model for our patients and personifies the excellence for which the Children's is world-renowned."
Michel Lacroix, known as the voice of the Montreal Canadiens, hosted the press conference to which assisted Jean Béliveau's widow, Élise Béliveau, as well as P.K. Subban's family. Young patients of the Children's escorted the VIPs and got a chance at asking their role model some questions. Subban drew an impressive crowd of staff, patients and media for his big announcement.
"It is really an amazing feeling to be here," said P.K. Subban. "I am proud to walk in the footsteps of my idol Jean Béliveau by giving back to the community and feel privileged to be able to help transform the lives of sick children and their families."
This new partnership will also see the creation of P.K.'s Helping Hand, a fund dedicated to assisting vulnerable families financially devastated by a child's illness.
"A lot of people don't realize that having a sick child often means one parent has to stop working, and it becomes tough to make ends meet," explains Subban. "P.K.'s Helping Hand is dedicated to making sure that these parents don't have to worry about paying for necessities like food and medicine and can instead focus on what's most important: helping their child get well."
To further cement the partnership, Subban will join the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation (MCHF) Board of Directors.
"We are thrilled to partner with P.K., whose energy, drive and philanthropic vision make him a great asset to our board," says Greg Rokos, MCHF board chairman. "He's a game changer, both on and off the ice, and I am convinced his presence will bring a new level of excitement and community support."
ABOUT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The mission of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation is to support excellence in patient care, teaching, and research at the Montreal Children's Hospital of the MUHC, the pediatric teaching hospital for McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. Since its inception in 1973, the Foundation has raised almost $300 million, which has been used to transform the lives of sick children through innovative research and teaching projects, and cutting-edge care. The Foundation's Best Care for Children campaign raised $105 million to help build the new Montreal Children's Hospital on the Glen site. For more information, please visit childrenfoundation.com.
SOURCE The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
Image with caption: "The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation (CNW Group/The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150916_C4204_PHOTO_EN_497899.jpg
Image with caption: "P.K. Subban (CNW Group/The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150916_C4204_PHOTO_EN_498099.jpg
Séverine Defouni, Assistant Director of Communications, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, Tel. (514) 934-4846 ext. 29238, Cell: (514) 919-4165, [email protected]
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