RICHMOND HILL, ON – Under brilliant blue skies nearly 1,300 participants, young and old, hit the streets of Richmond Hill and Vaughan on Saturday, May 5 to raise more than $275,000 for UniversalCare Strides for Stroke – all-time record numbers for the 13th annual event supporting Mackenzie Health.
The 5K run/walk is Mackenzie Health Foundation’s largest community event, this year attracting the largest crowd of community members, patients, doctors, nurses and hospital staff in its history, all doing their part to help ensure their community hospital has the lifesaving equipment it needs to deliver the best possible patient care.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to participate in this walk. I’m giving back so other people can continue to receive the type of care I did at Mackenzie Health,” says Sol Koplowitz, stroke survivor and Strides for Stroke ambassador.
Fernando Carvalho was first to the finish line with a time of 17:09. The top fundraising team, UniversalCare Movers and Shakers, raised more than $41,000. Mario Masellis earned the title of top fundraiser again this year, raising $7,165.
“We are incredibly grateful to every participant, donor, sponsor and volunteer who has made today a huge success,” says Ingrid Perry, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health Foundation. “This event is a year-long endeavour and we just couldn’t do it without the tremendous effort and energy of a tireless committee of volunteers and staff. Congratulations to all.”
Since 2006, Strides for Stroke has raised nearly $1.78 million to help fund education programs and lifesaving equipment like CT Scanners, MRI and ECG machines, vital sign and bedside monitors that are used throughout the hospital and in the diagnoses and treatment of stroke care at Mackenzie Health. For more information, please visit stridesforstroke.ca
The 2019 UniversalCare Strides for Stroke is slated for Saturday, May 4 next year.
ABOUT MACKENZIE HEALTH
Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional health care provider which includes the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services. The ground breaking for the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital was held on October 25, 2016.
In March 2017, the organization received its second consecutive award of Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada for its commitment to safety and quality patient care. This is the highest rating a Canadian health care provider can receive.
Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future. With over 500,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.For more information, please visit mackenziehealth.ca
The Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign – the largest fundraising drive ever led by a community hospital in Canada – which is committed to raising $250-million in community contributions toward the total $1.6-billion project cost of the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
The campaign is being led by a dedicated 33-member cabinet, co-chaired by Greg Sorbara and City of Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.
Since 1977, Mackenzie Health Foundation has raised more than $142 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health.
For more information, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca