The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (AMJ) Canada has pledged a $2-million gift to Mackenzie Health Foundation’s $250-million Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign to help build and equip the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
“The building of this hospital is something very important to us because not only have we been a part of the Vaughan community for over 25 years, but the core of the Islamic faith is to serve humanity and give back to society, so we are very passionate about making a significant contribution to this much needed hospital,” Lal Khan Malik, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada, said.
“On behalf of everyone at Mackenzie Health, thank you to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for this remarkable gift toward the future of health care in our community. Your commitment is inspirational and will help us create the best health care possible, close to home. To everyone involved in this gift, thank you,” Mackenzie Health President and CEO Altaf Stationwala said.
Two significant areas of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, which will be completed in 2020, will be named in recognition of the community’s generous gift, including the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada Lower Main Street, the lower-level internal avenue that will connect the west public entrance to the atrium, grand staircase and patient tower elevators. One medical/surgical inpatient unit will also be named in recognition of the AMJ’s leadership gift to Mackenzie Health.
“The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has been a longtime and steadfast champion for a world-class hospital in Vaughan, and with construction now underway on the site, it’s particularly meaningful that AMJ has solidified its legacy of community leadership and philanthropy with this extraordinary gift of $2 million,” Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO Ingrid Perry said.
Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the multi-year Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign – the largest fundraising drive led by a community hospital in Canada – to help build and equip the state-of-the-art Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
The Caliph, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, has emphasized to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association the need to focus on giving back to society through humanitarian fundraising initiatives such as the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign for Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, according to Kashif Danish, National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association of Canada.
With more than 5,500 active members in 88 local chapters across the country, the youth association has previously achieved ambitious goals in humanitarian endeavors that benefit the entire community, including blood donations and food drives, according to Saud Ahmad, National Director of Humanitarian Services, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association.
“We’re grateful for this exceptional gift and for the leadership exemplified by this commitment in these early days of our campaign. I’m confident this generosity will inspire philanthopy throughout our community in support of this crucially important hospital project,” Greg Sorbora, co-chair of the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign cabinet, said.
“This meaningful act of philanthropy for Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital demonstrates our Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s dedication to giving back to build a strong and vibrant city to benefit all of us. This leadership and spirit of generosity is what defines our city,” Vaughan Mayor and campaign cabinet co-chair Maurizio Bevilacqua said.
Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Canada’s first smart hospital, is designed with the patient and their family in mind. Visitors and staff will use the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada Lower Main Street, adjacent to the beautifully landscaped cascading garden courtyard and atrium cafeteria. Five medical/surgical inpatient units will lie at the heart of the hospital on levels six to eight, offering natural light, privacy and space for patients, families and visitors.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community will celebrate their gift pledge during their Canada Day 150th anniversary celebration Saturday, July 1 at the Baitul Islam Mosque in Maple.
BACKGROUND
Mackenzie Health is a regional health care provider currently serving the rapidly growing communities of southwest York Region at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and through a network of community sites in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Barrie. When completed in 2020, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will provide an additional 350 beds, 1,800 full-time staff positions and 100 physician specialists to Mackenzie Health.
Since 1977, Mackenzie Health Foundation has raised more than $125 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health. The Foundation is leading the $250-million Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign to help build and equip Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in Canada last year, is headquartered in Vaughan. Since 2003, AMJ Canada has organized the Annual Run forVaughan, to support the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, with more than $600,000 raised to date. Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam that spans more than 206 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Saturday, July 1, from 3 to 4 p.m. (3:45 p.m. gift announcement and cheque pass)
WHERE: Baitul Islam Mosque, 10610 Jane St., Maple
WHO:
- Lal Khan Malik, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada
- Asif Khan, National Public Relations Director, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada
- Altaf Stationwala, President & CEO, Mackenzie Health
- Ingrid Perry, President & CEO, Mackenzie Health Foundation
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, co-chair, Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign
- Greg Sorbara, co-chair, Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign
- Deb Schulte, MP Vaughan-King
- Francesco Sorbara, MP Vaughan-Woodbridge
- Steven Del Duca, MPP Vaughan-Woodbridge
- Marilyn Iafrate, Vaughan Councillor and Run for Vaughan honorary chair
EVENT DAY CONTACT: Daniel Salvatore, Coordinator, Mackenzie Health Foundation, 416-805-0212
Please note: casual but modest attire suggested, head covering not required
Contact: Debora Kelly, Director, Communications, Marketing & Stewardship, Mackenzie Health Foundation, Debora.Kelly@mackenziehealth.ca, 905.883.1212, ext. 7803