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Media Release

April 1, 2009

Trillium Health Centre Foundation and Don Cherry team up to show Hazel McCallion some heart

Canadian icon featured in new awareness campaign for Trillium’s Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health

Trillium Foundation

I Love Hazel

Don Cherry and Hazel McCallion

Don Cherry may have a gruff exterior when making his opinions known about hockey, but when it comes to supporting Mississauga -  the community he calls home and Hazel McCallion, the Mayor he calls his friend - he is all heart. 

Trillium Health Centre Foundation today unveiled a new awareness campaign in support of the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health featuring the Mayor and beloved Canadian hockey legend and Mississaugan, Don Cherry. The campaign invites residents and businesses in Mississauga, West Toronto and the surrounding area to show Mayor Hazel McCallion some “heart” by donating to Trillium’s cardiac care program.    

“I’ve lived in this community for many years and am proud to call Mayor Hazel McCallion my friend,” said Don Cherry.  “We couldn’t ask for a better leader and health care champion.  It’s time for us to give back and show Hazel some heart with a donation to the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health at Trillium Health Centre.”

The new awareness campaign features “Dr. McCallion” checking Don Cherry’s heart while he gives his signature “thumbs up” salute.  The campaign will appear in print and outdoor advertising throughout Mississauga and West Toronto starting the week of March 23.  Tim Hortons will once again be bringing the “I Heart Hazel” awareness campaign message to in-store and drive-through digital menus.
 
“Don Cherry is a huge booster of this community and he wants what’s best for those of us who live and work here,” said Kim Warburton, chair, Trillium Health Centre Foundation.  “We are delighted that he has agreed to join the I Heart Hazel campaign.  The funds we raise will be used to provide life-saving cardiac care, delivered quickly within minutes of home or work.  We are closing in on our fundraising goal and now is the time to engage as many people in the community as possible to contribute what they can by making a donation to the heart centre in honour of the Mayor.”

“Think about it; Trillium Health Centre is one of Canada’s busiest and most advanced cardiac facilities,” said Cherry.  “If you or someone you love needed help, wouldn’t you want the best care you could get – right here, where you live?”

To date, the I Heart Hazel and Cardiac Challenge campaigns have raised over $12 million of the Foundation’s $15 million goal.  Help Trillium reach its goal – come to Gala 2009 on April 24 in support of the Cath Labs at the Hazel McCallion Centre for Heart Health. To purchase your tickets ($400 each) please call the Foundation today!

To donate or to get more information, please visit ihearthazel.com or call 905.848.7575.

About Trillium Health Centre

Trillium Health Centre is one of Canada’s largest hospitals with regional tertiary programs in advanced cardiac, vascular, stroke, neurosciences, orthopaedic, and sexual assault and domestic violence services. Housing a model ambulatory care centre and the largest free standing day surgery centre in North America, Trillium serves over one million residents in Peel and West Toronto and from other communities across Ontario. With the continued support of the Trillium Health Centre Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm, the two-site facility is attracting international attention for its innovative approach to providing safe, high quality health care services and has received numerous national awards for quality and innovation.

For more information on Trillium Health Centre, visit: www.trilliumhealthcentre.org.

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Media Contacts:

Larry Roberts
Media Relations Consultant
Trillium Health Centre
905.848.7580 ext. 3832;

or

Deborah Trouten
416.485.2412 or 416.574.8031.