May 3, 2007
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > Media Room > May 3, 2007

McHappy Day supports Emergency Centre Campaign

Surrey, B.C. – May 9th marks the 15th McHappy Day, and Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation's $15-million Emergency Centre Campaign will benefit from the fundraising event put on by McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited.

On May 9th, one dollar from the purchase of each McMuffin sandwich, Big Mac sandwich, or Happy Meal at 16 McDonald's restaurant locations in Surrey will go towards the children's section of the new Emergency Centre.

Since McHappy Day was introduced in 1977, this unique, national one-day fundraising event has raised more than $22.5 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada, the Canadian Ronald McDonald House Program, and local children's charities across Canada.

Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current ER – the busiest in B.C. - was designed to handle about 44-thousand visits a year but has instead been seeing close to 70-thousand patients a year. The new Emergency Centre will include a separate children’s ER, as well as a separate mental health and addictions area, an enhanced minor treatment unit, and an improved area for acute patients.

The B.C. government has committed to funding the essentials of a replacement to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current E.R. The Foundation’s $15-million campaign will ensure the new Emergency Centre is state-of-the-art.

-30-

For more information or interviews, contact:
Jason Howe
Media Relations Manager
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe[at]fraserhealth.ca
www.smhfoundation.com