Newsroom Toronto, ON - Tuesday, June 6, 2006 — In recognition of the Donalda Club's generous support of North York General Hospital's cancer care and palliative care services, the hospital dedicated a benefactor's plaque to the Donalda Club on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Since 1991, 16 North York Masters Golf events have been held at the Donalda Club raising over $1.6 million for cancer services at North York General Hospital. "As the community grows, the hospital has seen a corresponding increase in the demand for high quality cancer care," said Bonnie Adamson, President and CEO, North York General Hospital. "The Donalda Club's generosity and hard work to help make the North York Masters events so successful has meant we have dedicated more resources to helping cancer patients and their families." Proceeds from the past few tournaments have helped the hospital build the Freeman Centre for Palliative Care which opened in June 2005. The Freeman Centre includes a new acute care inpatient facility and support for the palliative care outreach program. The Centre's staff is comprised of exceptionally skilled and compassionate professionals and volunteers who offer care and support to adults and their families living with end-stage cancer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Centre's new Director of Palliative Care is Dr. Subrata Banerjee. North York General Hospital's oncology and palliative care teams are focused on managing patients' symptoms so that their acute phase can be managed with comfort and dignity. Services are offered in an atmosphere of quiet privacy, sensitivity and compassion. Services focus on meeting diverse patient needs, encompassing symptom management, pain management, mobility assistance and family and spiritual counseling. The Freeman Centre's staff includes clinical nurse specialists, social workers, and physicians who are also experts in palliative oncology. They use their extensive links to community-based resources to bring together many disciplines that improve a patient's quality of life and provide support for the patient's family. "For Donalda, supporting North York General Hospital is a natural choice because it serves the community at all stages of their lives and our members are part of this community. We are proud to support such a worthwhile cause," says Charles Powell, General Manager, Donalda Club. "The success of the Masters events inspired us to partner with North York General Hospital again for the Daniel Nestor Celebrity Charity Event. The response from our members was very positive." North York General Hospital is one of the largest cancer care providers in the Greater Toronto Area. Its staff and physicians have recognized expertise in treating breast, colon and prostate cancers. Under the province's Wait Time Strategy, the number of cancer surgeries has been increased and by working with Cancer Care Ontario the hospital is building stronger links and more effective partnerships. The Ministry of Health and Long Term-Care has also provided additional funding to perform more prostate and colorectal cancer surgeries. In addition, the chemotherapy team has been working very hard to enhance processes, align resources and increase core skills and knowledge which are paying off. Since August, the Anne Tanenbaum Chemotherapy Centre has increased chemotherapy treatments by almost 30 per cent. That means 6,900 people were helped last year; 2100 more than the year before. Donalda Club, one of the most prestigious family-oriented country
Clubs in Toronto, is conveniently tucked away on a 200 acre property
— a quiet enclave of lush gardens distinguished by its charming
Clubhouse, its beautifully landscaped, spacious grounds and its challenging
golf course set in the Don Valley. Donalda Club is an exciting multi-activity
family Club where members of all ages can enjoy themselves together
or on their own. Donalda Club is currently expanding its facilities
by constructing two new tennis courts for a total of 12 summer courts
and a brand new winter tennis bubble which will cover six winter tennis
courts. Members today enjoy the warmth and innate charm of this remarkable
country Club graciously set in the heart of the city. Contact: Destiny Pickford
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