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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2006
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Al and Kevin Haddrell (centre) present their donation for
$6,000 to Adrienne Bakker, President & CEO, RCH Foundation
(far right) and Rizalina Bejar, Health Services Manager,
Acute Medicine (far left). The donation was used to purchase
two specialized wheelchairs for patients in the hospital’s
Acute Medicine unit.
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Kevin Haddrell Brain Injury Foundation donates
$6,000 to the Acute Medicine Unit
New Westminster, BC - The Kevin Haddrell Brain
Injury Foundation has generously donated $6,000 to the Royal Columbian
Hospital Foundation for the purchase of two specialized wheelchairs
for patients in the hospital’s Acute Medicine unit.
In September of 2005, Kevin Haddrell was rushed to Royal Columbian
after being hit by a car while riding his bike in Surrey. He
suffered a broken neck, a broken back and a brain injury that put
him in a seven-week coma. In the months that followed, he worked
bravely to increase his mobility and regain his strength.
Inspired by his brother’s courageous recovery, Al Haddrell
created a website to keep friends and family informed of Kevin’s
progress at RCH. It was during this time that Al saw an opportunity
to give back to Royal Columbian. He went to work designing
and selling a promotional t-shirt which was a tribute to his brother
and the triathlons they completed together before the accident.
Al originally produced 100 shirts to sell on the website, but the
demand was so strong that he had to order two hundred more. To
date, the Kevin Haddrell Brain Injury Foundation has raised more
than six thousand dollars for Royal Columbian.
“
Kevin, his family and friends have shown incredible courage and
generosity throughout his recovery process,” says Adrienne
Bakker, President of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. “These
chairs, along with his inspiring example, will help our medical
staff bring even greater support to patients on the road to a positive
recovery.”
Rizalina Bejar, Manager of Acute Medicine at RCH, explains that “the
money was used to purchase two specially-designed wheelchairs with
adjustable and padded components. This allows staff to tailor the
chair to provide maximum safety, support and comfort.”
The mobile design of the chairs also allows patients the opportunity
to propel themselves, bringing increased freedom and independence.
Bejar adds that “we are so inspired by this family and grateful
for the donation. It will benefit thousands of patients like Kevin
that need highly specialized care at Royal Columbian.”
“
The nurses, physiotherapists and the entire team at RCH provided
excellent care and worked really hard with Kevin,” says brother
Al, a graduate student in chemistry at Simon Fraser University. “But
they needed additional equipment to provide the best quality care
for someone in his condition. They needed the tools to help him
fight his way back.”
- END -
Royal Columbian is both a community hospital and
major referral hospital providing highly-specialized care for major
trauma emergencies, cardiac and neurosurgery, renal treatment,
high risk maternal care and newborn intensive care. It is one of
BC’s busiest hospitals, serving 1/3 of the province’s
total population. With more than 30,000 admissions each year, Royal
Columbian Hospital must be equipped to service the largest and
fastest growing health region in the province.
RCH Foundation is an independent charitable organization which
raises millions of dollars each year to fund life-saving and diagnostic
equipment for Royal Columbian Hospital. For more information about
the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation or how to donate, please
call 604 520 4438 or visit <http://www.rchfoundation.com>www.rchfoundation.com.
For more information please contact:
Adrienne Bakker, CEO – Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
Phone: 604-520-4669 direct
Fax: 604 520 4428
Email: adrienne.bakker@fraserhealth.ca
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