Dear donor:

For many of our donors, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing their gifts in action.  And at Rouge Valley, we've seen plenty of recent examples of how donors are directly enhancing healthcare in our community.  At Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering, we have opened a brand new Rapid Assessment Zone to decrease Emergency patients' wait times.  This innovative treatment area was funded with the proceeds of the Mayors' Charity Classic golf tournament, and is already speeding up the time it takes for Emergency patients to be assessed by a physician and begin treatment.  We are also seeing great progress on our three capital projects at both sites.  Every day, the Regional Birthing and Newborn Centre and the Mental Health Supportive Housing project at Rouge Valley Centenary are one step closer to completion.  In Ajax, the Early Works project has created a brand new parking lot and access roads that will be a significant part of the hospital's redevelopment project, expected to break ground this fall.

The Rouge Valley Health System Foundation has been fortunate to have strong support from a number of groups and individuals who have organized successful third party events on our behalf.  The Baby Steps Walkathon, organized by the Sri Lankan community in May, raised an incredible $100,000 for the Regional Birthing and Newborn Centre.  The Pickering Professional Firefighters Association raised another $25,000 during their annual boot drive, money that will support equipment purchases at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering.  Other events are ongoing throughout the summer and into the fall, and we thank everyone who has helped organize these fundraisers, as well as those who so generously support them.

We hope you'll take the time to read about these wonderful success stories, and others, in the attached summer editions of the Foundation Update, as well as on our website at www.rougevalley.ca/rvhsf.

Tracy Paterson
Acting Executive Director
Rouge Valley Health System Foundation

In 2005 you would have received from me and other members of Council an urgent petition (webpage version or PDF version) seeking your support to stop the proposed cuts at the Ajax Pickering Hospital by the Administration and Board of the Rouge Valley Health System.  They intended to relocate births, obstetrics, and related services from Ajax-Pickering Hospital to Centenary Hospital in Scarborough effective December 14^th, 2005.

My position and those I have heard from the community and at the two rallies that I and over 1200 other concerned people attended is that these are vital and necessary services to this community that must remain at our Ajax Pickering Hospital as a component of a full service hospital.  We requested that these cuts be cancelled, a full review of the hospitals operations be carried out and that they immediately release the necessary funds that will enable the Ajax Pickering Hospital to commence construction of its redevelopment plan.  As of the printing of this newsletter it appears that these cuts are temporarily being delayed but your continued support is needed to ensure cuts do not occur.

***** PRESS RELEASE *****
"ROUGE VALLEY MAINTAINS DELIVERIES AT ITS AJAX AND PICKERING HOSPITAL - Paediatric shortage continues as hospital works toward long-term solution."

***** Rouge Valley Health System Foundation Update *****
"Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering redevelopment gets green light" (800k PDF file opens in new window)

Thanks to all who responded and continue to support OUR hospital.