Pictured in the photo, from left to right – Craig Thiel, Liz Healy, both with the Cape Breton District Health Authority, Tom MacNeil, Medical Social Worker with the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and Melva Daley Smith, The Coast 89.7. Thiel, Healy, and Smith, volunteer members of the organizing committee of the Benefit Concert For The Cape Breton Cancer Centre, presented a cheque in support of the Cancer Patient Care Fund, December 9^th, 2011. The annual event is held at the Savoy Theater and all funds raised are donated to the Cancer Patient Care Fund. The event features local musicians and artists who all donate their talents to help Cape Bretoners receive the best possible cancer treatment here at home. This year’s event raised more than $17, 000. The upcoming concert will take place September 22^nd, 2011 at the Savoy Theater. Stay tuned for a list of performers. For more information on the benefit concert, you can visit www.cbcancercentre.com

Glenn Tutty, of Joy Gift and Jewelry joined by daughter Lynn MacKinnon and granddaughter Logan MacKinnon, centre, donated a giant Santa Sac full of children’s toys to the Pediatrics Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Accepting the donation are Mickey Daye, left, Clinical Nurse Lead and Tracey Warren, right, Child Life Specialist.

Glenn purchased the Santa Sac at this year’s 8^th Annual Festival of the Greens and knew that donating the toys back to the pediatrics unit at the Regional Hospital would be best. Glenn knows firsthand what it is like to have a child who needs to spend time in pediatrics and how important it is to have this unit here in the community. Growing up, daughter Lynn spent time in and out if the hospital here in Cape Breton as well as in Halifax.

Currently, the toy room in the Regional Hospital’s pediatrics unit is undergoing an upgrade. This donation of new toy could not have come at a better time for the children who enjoy this space.

The children of the pediatrics unit cannot thank you enough for the wonderful donation.

Lorne Baldin, Sydney Branch Manager and Heather Hogg, Regional Vice President of RCB Royal Bank present a cheque to Connie Gregory, centre, Director of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and the An Cala Palliative Care Unit. This cheque of $10,000 is the third and final payment of a $50,000 commitment in support of the $5.5 million Cape Breton Cares Campaign. The Cape Breton Cares Campaign supports both the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and Neonatal Intensive Care at the Regional Hospital.

Thank you to RBC Royal Bank for the generous donation!

Christmas spirits and holiday cheer were alive at Centre 200 this past weekend. The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation hosted the 8^th Annual Festival of the Greens Holiday Gala, Saturday, November 26^th, presented by Casino Nova Scotia and Finishing Touch Centre as well as the 2^nd Annual Candy Cane Gala for Kids, Sunday, November 27^th, presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body. Both events held  in support of Kids Care at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

 “This was one of the most successful years for Festival of the Greens,” said Patricia MacNeil, Chair of the event. “Thanks our sponsors, auction and prize donors, volunteers and guests, more than $75,000 was raised to purchase three fetal monitors in support of Kids Care at the Regional Hospital.”

 The event was attended by more than 520 guests dressed in their holiday best. Guests were treated to a beautifully prepared four course meal by Chef Todd MacIntyre in a holiday dreamland atmosphere created by Finishing Touch Centre. Live entrainment was provided by High Society and the MCs for the evening were Bill Bradley and Jennifer Sheppard. A live and silent auction were also held and afterwards guests danced the evening away under the stars.

 “Festival of the Greens is an event that many people look forward to every year as a kick off to the holiday season,” said Barbara Stead-Coyle, CEO of the Hospital Foundation. “Not only are guests treated to a wonderful night of dining, dancing and entertainment, more importantly, a great deal of money is raised in support of Kids Care. That wouldn’t be possible without the support and generosity of the community.”

 A highlight of this year’s event was a tribute to John Malcolm and Dr. M.A. Naqvi as they were presented with the Caring Spirit Award. This award is presented to members of the community who have made an outstanding contribution to the Hospital Foundation and the community.

 “John Malcolm and Dr. Naqvi have shown an unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare in Cape Breton,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, Chair of the Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. “Because of their hard work and dedication, thousands ofCapeBretonersare able to get the care they need, at home.”

 The Candy Cane Gala for Kids, sponsored by Steve Lewis Auto Body, was held Sunday, and featured dancing gingerbread men, life size candy houses and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Face painting, games, story time and craft making were a big hit for the more than 400 people of all ages in attendance.

This week, staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation are as busy as Santa’s elves in the North Pole, getting ready for the 8th Annual Festival of the Greens, sponsored by Casino Nova Scotia and Finishing Touch Centre and the 2nd Annual Candy Cane Gala for Kids, sponsored by Steve Lewis Auto Body. Both events in support of Kids Care at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Whether you are joining us for this weekend’s events or kicking off the Holiday season with family and friends,  the staff at the Hospital Foundation wants to take a minute and wish everyone a happy and joyful start to their Holiday Season. Cheers!