Sapphire magazine Stevenson Memorial hospital foundation gala

The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation's inaugural Gala in support of the It's Crystal Clear Campaign for Digital Mammography proved to be a spectacular success raising $210,000 towards the goal of bringing state of the art Mammography equipment to Stevenson Memorial Hospital.
Held at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston on May 6, over 300 guests attended the event which featured an evening of dining, entertainment and fundraising. It included entertainment by Tony nominee Louise Pitre and songwriter and singer Joe Matheson, followed by a live auction.
” We wanted this to be a unique, elegant event that raised funds and paid tribute to the donors
and sponsors," said Sylvia Biffis, Co-chair of the Digital Mammography Cabinet and Gala
Committee.
Gala Honorary Chair Dr. Catherine Mahut spoke of the life saving benefits of early detection
of breast cancer.
The It's Crystal Clear Campaign is the Foundation's initiative to bring Digital Mammography
to Stevenson Memorial Hospital.
With a goal of $1.3 million needed to make the initiative a reality, the Campaign raised over
70 per cent of the funds prior to the Gala evening through the efforts of the Digital
Mammography Cabinet members, volunteers and donors.
This brings the total raised for Digital Mammography to over one million dollars so far.
                                                                                      "We really wanted to cross the
                                                                                       million dollar mark tonight and
                                                                                       our donors and supporters took
                                                                                       us there” said Tom Tworzyanski
                                                                                       Foundation Fundraising Chair.
                                                                                       Digital Mammography is the
                                                                                       standard in early detection of
                                                                                       breast cancer and contributes
                                                                                       significantly to survival rates.
                                                                                       The purchasing and engineering
                                                                                       process has started for the new
                                                                                       Digital Mammography
                                                                                       equipment. Renovations and
                                                                                       installation will be completed later this year.
                                                                                       The Cabinet and Foundation are certain the
                                                                                       remaining $250,000 needed to pay for the
                                                                                       equipment will be raised later this year with
                                                                                       the continued help of donors and supporters.
                                                                                       When all the funds are finally raised, the pink
                                                                                       flag that is currently flying at the front of the
                                     hospital will be lowered to signify the successful conclusion of the Campaign.
                                     The Campaign Cabinet chose pink as the colour to represent the campaign and signify
                                     the focus for the fundraising accomplishments.
                                     Digital Mammography Cabinet Co-chairs, Marilyn Holmstrom and Sylvia Biffis, Cabinet
                                     members Marg Barber, Audrey Gibson, Linda Needles, Pat Thompson, Robyn Murphy,
                                     Caroline Maxwell and Tom Tworzyanski are volunteers who, along with Foundation
                                     staff Tanya Godson and Kaley Stewart, have tirelessly worked and served on the
                                     Campaign Cabinet over the past year.
                                     They were supported by senior hospital staff Angela Trevivian and Gary Ryan.
                                     As a health care facility, Stevenson Memorial Hospital always has a need to replace
                                     or upgrade equipment and stay current with new technology.
                                     The Hospital Foundation continues its efforts to bring new and enhanced services to the hospital
                                     to ensure exceptional health care close to home.
                                     But remember, the campaign is not yet over. There is still work to be done to complete the total
                                     fundraising effort.
                                     You can help. Contact the Stevenson Memorial Hospital foundation.
                                     Visit on-line at www.smhfndn.on.ca   or call directly at 705-435-3377.