Making young people—including the very youngest—our top priority
As our term of office draws to a close, we are channeling our energy into two major fundraising initiatives: the Tiny Miracle Fund and the Mindstrong Fitness Event.
The JGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is one of the best in the world, and thanks to its amazing staff, a majority of preemies survive and go on to happy, productive lives. The Auxiliary created the Tiny Miracle Fund to make a big difference in the lives of these tiniest patients.
Our objective is to allocate $500,000 by 2016 toward purchasing vital equipment for the Unit that will occupy new facilities in Pavilion K, starting next year. We are proud to announce that we are halfway to our goal, with a further commitment of branching out with a preemie awareness campaign at local schools.
The 1st annual Mindstrong Fitness Event will benefit mental health for young people in the JGH Department of Psychiatry. The department is expanding to serve 15- to 25-year-olds, who are highly vulnerable to mental illness and related diseases, as well as substance-use disorders.
We would ask everyone to pledge a donation to Mindstrong Fitness, register to participate and inform others about what The Auxiliary is accomplishing.
– Linny Blauer and Phyllis Karper, Co-Presidents
Snowbirds warm up to Chagall lecture
Once again this past winter, migratory Montrealers flocked to the hugely anticipated Snowbird Lunch and Lecture, a Florida event hosted by Past Auxiliary President Sheilah Greenberg (second from right). Leonard Rosendahl, a close friend of painter Marc Chagall, shared personal stories about the artist and explored the Jewish symbolism in his work. Chairs for the event were Reisa Lerner (left) and Beatrice Lewis.
“Chair-man” of the Fall Fair
Under the watchful eye of Auxiliary Co-President Phyllis Karper, Serge Cloutier, Head Nurse in Neonatology, pauses from the Fall Fair to relax in a lounge chair that The Auxiliary donated to the parents’ waiting room in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Proceeds from the Fall Fair and Raffle will help purchase life-sustaining equipment for the Unit when it moves to Pavilion K in January 2016. Co-Chairs for the Fall Fair were Chantal Bourque, Barbara Victor and Tova Zentner. Co-Chairs for the Raffle were Linda Goodman and Shelley Guttman.
Huge support for the tiniest miracles
On World Prematurity Day in November 2014, JGH Neonatologist Dr. Lajos Kovacs (left) accepts a cheque for $250,000, representing The Auxiliary’s commitment to purchasing vital, life-sustaining equipment for premature babies through the Tiny Miracle Fund. Also present are several of the Co-Chairs of the Fund Committee (from left), Beatrice Lewis, Tanya Salpeter, Roz Rinzler, Mindy Shear with her son Shalev, and Hela Boro.
JGH doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals from the Department of Neonatology marked World Prematurity Day at a purple-themed celebration in the hospital’s lobby. On hand for a visit was Shalev (front row, left), who had been born prematurely at the JGH and is one of the hospital’s many preemie success stories.
On the Horizon
April 22
Menus for the Mind Series
Petit souper: 6:00 p.m.
Lecture: 7:00 p.m., Block Amphitheatre
Dr. Clarence Epstein of Concordia University will discuss the restitution of artworks confiscated by Nazis in the 1930s.
Chairs: Reisa Lerner and Beatrice Lewis
April 26
ScotiaBank Charity Challenge
Parc Jean Drapeau
21-kilometre or 5-kilometre run or walk
Benefiting The Auxiliary’s Tiny Miracle Fund, in support of the JGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
May 4
Bridge and Mahjongg Tournament and Luncheon
11:00 a.m., Congregation Shaar Hashomayim
Chairs: Ellen Amdursky, Bonnie Rothstein and Debbie Schouela
May 20
Annual General Meeting and Installation
11:30 a.m., Samuel S. Cohen Auditorium, Pavilion A
Incoming Co-Presidents: Reisa Lerner and Beatrice Lewis
June 7
1st annual Mindstrong Fitness Event
All day, Midtown Le Sporting Club Sanctuaire
Benefiting the JGH Department of Psychiatry