Last year, we heard…

… “This is the best eventSydney has ever seen.”

… “How are you going to out do yourself next year?”

… “This is definitely the ‘must-attend’ event of the year.”

These were comments from just a few of the 450 guests who attended the Foundation’s 1^st Annual Viva Las Vegas event.

This year, the 2^nd Annual Viva Las Vegas, sponsored by Casino Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and Cape Breton Beverages will take place on May 5^th, 2012 at Centre 200, Sydney.

You will be dazzled and delighted by casino-style gaming, captivating entertainment and gourmet cuisine from local chefs—all in an atmosphere of glitz and glam.

While this is sure to be an exciting and memorable event for all, we can’t loose sight of the reason we are hosting Viva Las Vegas—to raise much-needed funds for theRegionalHospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

As Cape Bretoners, we are so fortunate to have one of only two NICU’s in all of Nova Scotia. Each year, more than 300 pre-mature and ill babies rely on this specialized Unit for care.

Bailey Therrien was one of these babies. Bailey was born nearly three months pre-mature, weighing less than two pounds. Because Bailey was so small, she needed to stay in an incubator for months, as she was monitored and cared for by the loving staff in this Unit.

The NICU is in need of a new incubator. This equipment costs $35,000 and is critical to providing care for the tiny, sick babies who need the NICU.

By sponsoring Viva Las Vegas or purchasing a table or tickets, you will help us raise the $35,000 needed to purchase a new incubator for the NICU.

Your support will help keep the tiniest Cape Bretoners home for care.

For more information, click here or call (902) 563-8585.

 - Danielle

Last night, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and the YMCA of Cape Breton announced that they are partnering to host a golf tournament, in support of healthcare and healthy living for children in Cape Breton.

 The golf tournament, which will take place this summer, will be one of the largest and most entertaining tournaments in our region. This exciting partnership will support enhanced health for children of all ages in Cape Breton.

 Stay tuned for more details!

Pictured in the photo: Dr. Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, Chair, and Dwight Rudderham, Vice Chair, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and Andre Gallant, YMCA of Cape Breton CEO and Robin Gogan, Chair, YMCA Board of Directors, to announce the new partnership.

We are so grateful to each and every person who supports the Hospital Foundation and we really want you to know that. But as the saying goes –It’s hard to please all of the people all of the time.

 We do many things to let you know how grateful we are.

 We send you a personal thank you, we send you newsletters that update you on how your donations are being used, and we share stories of the patients you have helped.

 We work hard to let you know that your trust in us is so greatly valued. We want you to know we are taking care of your money and using it to make a difference.

 Sometimes, donors may get upset with us. They may feel we spend too much money on mail. They may not agree with the projects we support. Simply put  sometimes we cannot please everyone.

 We are always looking for more efficient ways to do our jobs. We make sure that our programs make sense and are always returning much more than they are costing.

 Last year, our costs were lower than the national average and the Canadian Revenue Agency Guidelines for charities. The reality is we must spend some money to make money – and we are doing this well.

 This year, we are pleased to tell you that all our direct mail and newsletters are being supported by Cape Breton Beverages. This means, your donations will continue to make a difference at theRegionalHospital.

 While we do know how the saying goes –we will continue to prove it wrong in everything we do.

 Finally, please know you can always call or email us if you have a question or concern. We will answer it honestly and openly. We will work with you to ensure that you feel as proud of your donation to us as we do.