October 1, 2007
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > Media Room > October 1, 2007

Public appeal: help Emergency Centre and beautify Surrey

Surrey, B.C. – With the help of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation is launching a public appeal as part of its $15 million Emergency Centre Campaign.

Called Tulips for Tomorrow, the appeal offers donors an opportunity to help beautify Surrey, as well as ensure Surrey Memorial Hospital receives a state-of-the-art replacement to its current, overcrowded E.R. “We have close to 100,000 tulip bulbs to spread throughout the city,” says Foundation President/CEO Jane Adams. “From now until the end of the year, donors of $100 or more to the Emergency Centre Campaign can pick up a number of bulbs for themselves. They also have the option of contributing those tulips to the beautification program.”

With the assistance of the City of Surrey, several locations have been designated for the tulips, including an area near the South end of the Pattullo Bridge, the noses of four medians along the King George Highway, Surrey City Hall, and Surrey Memorial Hospital. "Surrey has a proud history of supporting worthwhile community projects," says Mayor Dianne Watts. "Together we can raise the needed money for the Emergency Centre while making our city even more beautiful."

Area businesses have offered their support by donating tulip bulbs, planters, soil, landscaping, delivery, and storage. As well, Surrey company B&B Contracting has agreed to match the public’s donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000. “We hope the allure of doubling your health care donations will entice many people to contribute to this campaign,” says B&B Contracting Chief Financial Officer Fraser Bruce.

Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current ER – the busiest in B.C. - was designed to handle about 44,000 visits a year but has instead been seeing close to 70,000 patients a year.

The new Emergency Centre, at triple the size of the current facility, 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. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2008.

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For more information or interviews, contact:

Jason Howe
Public Affairs Director
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe[at]fraserhealth.ca
www.smhfoundation.com

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