Neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Aronyk, right, joins, from left, Guy and Dr. Shelley Scott and Sharon and Jim Brown for a tour of the aptly named Scott and Brown Families Advanced Imaging and Gamma Knife Centre. Their shared gift of $3 million toward the University Hospital Foundation’s Brain Centre Campaign played an integral role in bringing the Gamma Knife and advanced 3T imaging to Edmonton. This year, the foundation has nominated the two couples for a National Philanthropy Day Award through the Association of Fundraising Professionals Edmonton & Area Chapter.
Foundation partners recognize more than 25 individuals and groups making a difference across the province
Story by Amelia Schofield
This Nov. 15, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will once again recognize National Philanthropy Day. Each year, this day honours those who give back to their communities.
As part of the celebrations, AFP chapters across Alberta host National Philanthropy Day events to recognize this generosity.
This year, National Philanthropy Day events are taking place in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge to recognize individuals and groups who are contributing their time, talent and resources toward various charities across the province.
Several of Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) foundation partners are taking part and have nominated donors and volunteers for awards programs being held by AFP as part of the day.
Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO of AHS, says she’s grateful for these foundations and their donors.
“We appreciate our foundation partners and their supporters for their generous contributions toward healthcare in their communities and across the province,” Dr. Yiu says. “We also extend our congratulations to those receiving special recognition as part of National Philanthropy Day. Your contributions are invaluable and make a meaningful and lasting difference for all Albertans.”
This year, AHS’ foundation partners are recognizing the following individuals and groups as part of National Philanthropy Day awards:
- Northern Alberta Boston Pizza franchisees: as longtime donors to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Northern Alberta Boston Pizza franchisees have raised millions of dollars for the Cross Cancer Institute through the Boston Pizza Charity Golf Classic.
- The Crist family: as generous donors to both the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Crist family’s contributions have led to significant advancements in patient care for children and those facing cancer, and have inspired others to embrace a spirit of philanthropy.
- First Truck Centre Edmonton Inc.: as a loyal supporter of the University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees, the 630 CHED Heart Pledge Day radiothon and the Brain Centre Campaign, First Truck Centre Edmonton Inc. has made a lasting impact on the lives of patients at the University of Alberta Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and Kaye Edmonton Clinic.
- Randy and Claudia Findlay: as supporters of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation for more than two decades, Randy and Claudia’s commitment of time and resources were instrumental in building the new Alberta Children’s Hospital, as well as supporting several significant advancements to children’s healthcare.
- Kevin and Kim George: as committed donors and volunteers of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Kevin and Kim began supporting the foundation to honour the loss of their two young daughters. Since then, the couple has contributed significantly to children’s healthcare through volunteerism and fundraising. Most recently, Kevin successfully climbed Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro in support of the foundation.
- Dieter Kuhlmann: as owner and operator of Kuhlmann’s Greenhouse Garden Market, Dieter was one of the first individuals to support the CapitalCare Foundation’s Feast on the Field, which has since become a highly successful annual event. His contributions of fresh produce have been instrumental to that success and have helped raise significant funds in support of seniors’ healthcare in Edmonton.
- Blake Loates: as a strong supporter of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, Blake has inspired thousands of people with her story of mental illness. As a champion for increased services, her story played a role in funding the Access 24/7 addiction and mental health clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital site, which was supported by the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the Mental Health Foundation.
- Francesco and Domenico Noce: for the past four years, Francesco and Domenico have asked friends and family to donate to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation instead of bringing gifts to their birthday parties. Through this selfless act of giving back, Francesco and Domenico are making a meaningful difference for kids across northern Alberta and beyond.
- Dr. Fred Otto: as a longtime champion of the CapitalCare Foundation, Dr. Otto is a community connector who cares deeply about the well-being of the elderly in Edmonton. His contributions include volunteering with the foundation’s board of directors and in several leadership roles. In addition, Dr. Otto has been instrumental in recruiting new board members and sharing the foundation’s story in the community.
- Larry and Joanne Pollock: for Larry and Joanne, supporting the Alberta Cancer Foundation is about recognizing the care both Joanne and their loved ones have received at the Cross Cancer Institute. Being people of action, the Pollocks not only donate personally to the foundation, they encourage countless others to do the same.
- Carl and Ken Rosenau/Rosenau family and Rosenau Transport: dedicated philanthropists and businessmen, Carl and Ken Rosenau – along with their family and their company, Rosenau Transport – have demonstrated tremendous support for the University Hospital Foundation through its Festival of Trees, the 630 CHED Heart Pledge Day radiothon, and through many contributions to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.
- Ringette Scores on Cancer: since its inception in 2009, the Ringette Scores on Cancer tournament has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Alberta Cancer Foundation in support of the Cross Cancer Institute. The growth of this event has been so significant, it was inducted into Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence Hall of Fame in 2014, recognizing the organizers’ outstanding community service activities and celebrating the significant, long-term efforts the four founding coaches have shown in establishing university-level ringette in Edmonton and across Canada.
- The Shariff family: for two decades, the Shariff family and, more recently, Browns Socialhouse, have been committed supporters of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Their contributions became even more meaningful following the passing of their son, Faisel. Honouring his legacy, the family continues to work to create a better future for Albertans facing cancer.
- Guy and Dr. Shelley Scott and Jim and Sharon Brown: friends for more than 40 years, Guy, Shelley, Jim and Sharon have been dedicated leaders, volunteers and donors toward the University Hospital Foundation and its Brain Centre Campaign. The couples’ joint gift to the campaign was instrumental in bringing a gamma knife and advanced 3T imaging suite to the University of Alberta Hospital.
- Tawsha Klein-Sparks: as the face of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation’s fundraising campaign for a seventh operating room at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Tawsha shares her story as an ovarian cancer patient to give hope to other women. By telling her story through the foundation’s direct marketing campaigns, galas and lottery, she hopes to inspire others to show their support toward this advancement in women’s healthcare.
- Team Ta Ta’s: this group of dedicated philanthropists has given significant support to the Alberta Cancer Foundation for more than a decade. In 2007, the team started with three people with a goal to participate in a 60-km walk in support of the foundation. Since then, the group has grown to include families, co-workers and local businesses, and has raised significant funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation through fundraising events and by recruiting volunteers and participants for those events.
- Thompson Construction Group: as generous donors of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation since 2009, Debbie and Larry Thompson and their family business, Thompson Construction Group, have supported several initiatives benefiting children’s health. Combined with their support of three foundation events, they have also come together with their employees, families and friends to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars toward one of five new operating rooms, medical equipment, training and research at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
- Walmart Canada (Region 1, Markets 4, 5 and 6): as part of the Children’s Miracle Network, Walmart has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for hospitals across Canada. The Walmart Canada stores for Region 1, Markets 4, 5 and 6, have played a critical role in these contributions by continuously exceeding their fundraising goals and raising significant funds for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
- World Financial Group (WFG) Hockey Classic: what began as a small tournament between WFG agents from Edmonton and Calgary has grown to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. These contributions have funded innovative research, training and equipment, helping to address the unique healthcare needs of children.
AHS is grateful to its foundation partners, along with these individuals and organizations, for their incredible contributions toward advancing healthcare across Alberta.
Visit ahs.ca/give for a full list of Alberta’s health foundations.
Written with content contributed by the foundations
