On Saturday, we held our 3^rd annual Viva Las Vegas fundraising event, presented by Cape Breton Beverages, at Centre 200.

 For months, volunteers helped organize this event, ensuring that every ticket was sold and every detail—from the gourmet chef stations to the mock gaming—was in place.

 Their efforts came with great reward! More than $42,000 was raised to renovate the Pediatrics Unit at the Regional Hospital.

 I’ve had the great pleasure of working with an extraordinary group of people, who generously gave their time to make this event successful.

 More than three dozen volunteers were relied upon at Viva Las Vegas! 

I want to extend sincere thanks to Shelly Kehoe, Chair of Viva Las Vegas,and Co-chair, Brenda Tattrie. Shelly and Brenda’s leadership has helped turn Viva Las Vegas into one of Sydney’s most successful and memorable fundraising events.

 I also want to thank the amazing team at Casino Nova Scotia. In particular Greg Matthews, Stephanie Singler, Florence Isaac , Ron Crawley and Gary LeBlanc. Between coordinating all of the food and beverages for the evening, to training more than 20 volunteers for the gaming tables, to donning his best Elvis attire—this team has truly gone above and beyond in support of the Foundation.

I also want to thank Kellie Manning from Nova Scotia Provincial Gaming and Casino Corporation, the five local chefs who prepared gourmet samplers for 450 guests and the volunteers who helped sell roses and who worked at the mock gaming tables.

 To the St. Cyr family—Paul, Corrina, Riley and Samantha. It has been so much fun getting to know you and we can’t thank you enough for always being there to share your story.

 Lastly, I want to thank all sponsors, with special mention to our presenting sponsor, Cape Breton Beverages, and our Royal Flush Sponsors Casino Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Provincial Gaming and Casino Corporation, for their support. As well as all ticket buyers, and those who purchased roses and items in our live auction.

 Without the generosity of our community, the Regional Hospital wouldn’t have many of the resources it has today. When you support the Regional Hospital Foundation, you help ensure that patients are able to receive the best care at home. For that we can’t thank you enough!

Today marked a very special day at The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, our very first Thankathon.  The idea was simply to take pause and focus all of our efforts for one day on calling as many donors as possible to say thank you.

Thank you seems obvious for a charity, as our mere existence is based on the voluntary act of giving by donors.  And although all donors get thanked appropriately shortly after their donation, there is something special that happens when you call someone out of the blue to say thank you for supporting our organization. 

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation is blessed to have a committed and dedicated board of directors.  So much so that we had 10 of them here today at our Foundation offices calling donors to say thank you.  It was fun to see their enjoyment in thanking people for their donations.  They were excited about making calls, connecting with donors and hearing why they decide to give.     

I heard many times today from our Board and Staff that some donors were pleasantly surprised when they learned we were just calling to say thank you.  So it was very satisfying to hear that people really appreciate hearing those two words we don’t often take the time to share.

Throughout the day there were many laughs and much excitement.  There were even a few tears during some emotional stories that donors shared about why they give and how the Cape Breton Regional Hospital has had a significant impact on their families.

It is my belief that for an event to be successful it has to have impact.  We started today with a goal of reaching out to 500 people to say thank you, which we will surpass within 10 minutes of me posting this blog.  So take a minute to think about how good it feels when someone says thank you to you.  And then multiply that by 500!  What a day!

And lastly, thank you to all of those who have helped us say thank you today! 

Brad Jacobs

CEO, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation

Much to my CEO’s dislike (Brad is a Habs fan…..Yuck!), I am writing about the Toronto Maple Leafs and the end of their nine year NHL playoff drought! Giddy Up!

 By no means do I consider myself a NHL expert but there is nothing I enjoy more than an entertaining Saturday night hockey game, some cold refreshments and snacks. I love it even more when the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing, and when they are winning. They are a hard team to love, but it has always been an unconditional.

 To celebrate the return of the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs, I joined a hockey pool this year. BRASCO’S 6^th Annual NHL Playoff Hockey Pool. This hockey pool is in support of our smallest Cape Bretoners. All funds raised are in support of the Pediatrics Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.  

 Each year, thousands of Cape Breton children rely on the Pediatrics Unit for everything from broken bones, to infections, to serious illness like cancer. Cape Breton children also rely on the support of donors, like you, to make sure when they need critical care, it is available to them, here at home.

 The Cape Breton Regional Hospital has one of only two Pediatrics Units in Nova Scotia. It is so important for our community to support kids care at the Regional to ensure that if a child needs critical and specialized care, they are able to receive it here in Cape Breton, instead of going off-island to Halifax for care.

 So, join me in the pool. It’s very easy. Click the link: BRASCO’s 6th Annual Playoff Hockey Pool – Home  sign up for $20, print of the entry form, or email your players to jacobsb@cbdha.nshealth.ca. There are some great prizes for top three entries –Greens fees from the Lakes, signed pink Screaming Eagles Jersey, and $300 cash!

Hockey pools are a fun and competitiveway to enjoy the playoffs. Sign up, enjoy the game, all while helping Cape Breton Children get the care they need at home.

 It’s nice to know that after nine years, with a week left until the playoffs start, the Leafs’ golf clubs will stay in put, at least for one round. Go Leafs Go!!

Steph.

Yesterday, I saw love—true,  genuine, unconditional love.

It is a total coincidence, and maybe a little bit cliché that I am writing this blog on THE day for love, but I would love to share. Pun intended.

Yesterday we had a photographer in to get some new photos around the Hospital. We set up different appointments in the specialized units at the Regional and the last appointment of the day was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

If you’ve never been in this Unit, it is very special. Each year, more than 300 premature or sick babies are treated in this Unit. I’ve heard people say that angles work in that Unit and I have to agree with them. Amazing things happen there….

Yesterday we were meeting with the Forrest family. They just welcomed a new baby girl who needed a little extra care in the NICU. New baby Katie was born in January and is doing very well.

What was so special about yesterday was that the Forrest’s three year old daughter, Hannah, was meeting her new baby sister for the very first time.

I watched Dad take Hannah into the NICU. Hannah was just bouncing with anticipation—almost vibrating she was so excited.

The photographer was set up, ready to capture that moment.   

And then it happened. Mom lowered Katie down so Hannah could see her.  It was breath taking. Hannah looked at Katie and you could see the awe and amazement in her little eyes.  How long has she been waiting to see her baby sister? So many months of mom and dad taking about having a new sister…..and here she is. That was raw, beautiful love if I’ve ever seen it.

I stood back and watched this new family, all together for the very first time. I admit, it was emotional and for those who know me well, of course there were a few small tears.

I started telling my coworkers and friends how lucky I was to able to see such a beautiful moment, I realized that moment happened because Katie was able to be home, at the Regional to get the care she needs. Mom, dad, and Hannah can see new baby Katie whenever they want to thanks to the support of our donors to the NICU.

To the Forrest family, thank you for letting us be part of your special day, and as soon as the photos are ready, you’ll have them.

To everyone, Happy Valentine’s Day and I hope you all experience some extra special love today!

Stephanie.

 Today is November 15th, a great day for the charitable sector – National Philanthropy Day.  With Remembrance day fresh in our minds, today is another special day to pause and remember those who make a difference in our lives – those donors, volunteers and charities that make a difference in our communities.

 Philanthropy is a big word, often mispronounced and misunderstood.  To me, quite simply stated, it is the voluntary act of making a difference in someone’s life. So today I am pausing to reflect on, and be thankful for, the individuals who do just that.

 Without generous donors and community   minded volunteers, I wouldn’t have a job or a career. So I am eternally grateful for those who decide to give back.  And in relation to my job as CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, we wouldn’t have an excellent hospital or be able to provide world class care to Cape Bretoners right here at home without the support of donors and volunteers.

 The fabric of our communities are only as strong as the philanthropic efforts we put forth. And in Cape Breton, that effort and spirit is strong.  It is an honor to help donors impact peoples lives by providing the vehicle for people to give.

 So today as I participate in AFP Nova Scotia festivities in Halifax, I would like to give thanks to all donors and volunteers in all of our communities across this great province of Nova Scotia. And at home in Cape Breton, a huge thank you to the donors of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and our Board of Directors and Foundation volunteers. Today is your day, so give yourself a pat on the back and know that you are part of the philanthropic fabric of our outstanding hospital and community.

 Happy philanthropy day!

Brad.