MEDIA ADVISORY - The BC & Yukon Chapter of The Children's Wish Foundation Welcomes Three New Members to Their Chapter Advisory Board

VANCOUVER, June 4, 2015 /CNW/ - The staff and Chapter Advisory Board of the BC & Yukon Chapter of the Children's Wish Foundation would like to extend a warm welcome to our three new board members Matei Ghelesel, Dr. Shannon Humphrey and Eric Pateman. 

These three accomplished individuals will join an esteemed group of community leaders in supporting Children's Wish fundraising initiatives, establishing new partnerships, and most importantly, acting as advocates for our cause.

Their recognition as leaders in their respective fields is admirable. Matei Ghelesel, President & Owner of Sonic Enclosures Ltd has over 15 years of hands-on experience managing engineering teams and industrial projects. His resilient knowledge in corporate finance and governance is an asset. Matei has recently been named one of Vancouver's Top 40 Under Forty and Sonic has proudly been recognized as Delta's "Best Large Business of the Year" in 2014.

Dr. Shannon Humphrey is an innovator in cosmetic dermatology at Carruthers & Humphrey Cosmetic Medicine. Her philosophy of developing customized treatment plans that focus on patients' preferences has resulted in a world-class reputation.  Shannon is also the Director of Continuing Medical Education in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at UBC, teaching undergraduate, post-graduate and CME dermatology programs and also established an acne and rosacea subspecialty clinic.

Eric Pateman, Executive Chef & President at Edible Canada is a leading ambassador of Canadian cuisine, having worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years both as a chef and hotel consultant. Eric's own culinary travels have taken him throughout North America, to the UK and to Africa. Eric was named as one of Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 Business People in 2007, and Western Living Magazine's list of the Top 40 Foodies Under 40 in Western Canada in 2008. He is also a member of the Chef's Table Society, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver and a guest speaker at FOOD TALKS series where proceeds support Growing Chefs.

Jennifer Petersen, Director of the BC & Yukon Chapter, would like to express, "To date, each new member of the Chapter Advisory Board has already demonstrated exemplary commitment to the Children's Wish Foundation and we are so lucky to have them sit on our CAB."

Shannon and Eric's participation in our 2015 Wish Gala this past March was admirable. Shannon sat on the organizing committee and acted as a visionary for the overall execution of the event.  Eric not only co-hosted the event with Global BC's Sonia Beeksma, and one of our former wish kids, 7 year old Avery, but he and his team at Edible Canada created a customized culinary experience for attendees.  

Matei was the catalyst for #JoeysWish - a series of fundraising efforts to raise the money needed to fulfill 10-year-old Joey's wish to travel to the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Italy and try out the Formula One simulator. The outpouring of media attention and support from Ferrari Maserati of Vancouver and the community at large was ignited by this one man's desire to help grant a wish in a unique way.

Jennifer Petersen adds, "It goes without saying that our organization is extremely fortunate to be governed by a group of exemplary visionaries, and the calibre of representation on our CAB is outstanding." For the 2015 fiscal year, the BC & Yukon Chapter Advisory Board will focus on a heightened brand awareness, diversification of our revenue stream and helping to garner additional referral sources in the Yukon, the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, reaching as many families as we can.

We are so pleased to have the support of such well-regarded professionals, and we know that with their help we will continue to fulfill the heartfelt wishes of sick children in BC and the Yukon. 

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is the largest all Canadian wish granting charity dedicated to granting wishes to Canadian children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  For more than 30 years, Children's Wish has worked tirelessly to grant heartfelt wishes to more than 22,000 children and their families.

The BC & Yukon Chapter of Children's Wish is proud to have already granted 1258 total wishes to date, with another 263 wishes waiting to be enjoyed. This year, the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes across the country with the help of volunteers and generous donors; that is approximately three wishes each and every day, all year long.  Each wish is the child's most heartfelt wish, and carefully structured to meet the particular needs of the child and their family. Children's Wish is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information and to donate.

SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Andy Kallstrom, Communications Specialist, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Chapter, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]