OHAfrica Gala raises over $100,000 to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation
Ontario Hospital Association
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Monday, November 15, 2004
Toronto – Over 700 people united tonight to help support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa at the first-ever OHAfrica Gala 2004. Ontario hospital board members, executives and the who’s who in Canadian health care supported the event put on by the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and its partners at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The proceeds of the evening are being donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Stephen Lewis, one of the directors of the foundation that bears his name, thanked the crowd. "Ontario’s hospitals and their partners should be immensely proud of the help this money will give, of the solidarity it will show, and of the lives it will save," Mr. Lewis said.
Since receiving its charitable status in 2003, the Stephen Lewis Foundation has raised over $2 million for grassroots projects which provide care at a community level to women dying of AIDS, assist orphans and other AIDS-affected children, and support associations of people living with HIV/AIDS.
The money raised at the Gala will be directed towards the small front-line groups that the Foundation is funding in over ten sub-Saharan African countries. "It is a tremendous feeling and energy when people come together at an event like this to show their support for such an important cause," said Ms. Short, President of the OHA. "We will be able to help the people of Africa with the thoughtful support of Ontario’s hospitals, our corporate partners, and our event sponsors."
The event featured a live auction and performances by master impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon and violinist, Adrian Anantawan. CBC Newsworld anchor Suhana Meharchand served as master of ceremonies. Speaking to gala guests were: Mr. Lewis; OHA Board Chair-Elect Sheila Jarvis; OHA Board Chair Tony Dagnone; the Honorable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for Ontario; and Mr. Motloheloa Phooko, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the Kingdom of Lesotho.
In a separate initiative, the OHA and its members are also working to twin hospitals in Ontario and the Kingdom of Lesotho to assist in HIV/AIDS treatment and care. Mr. Lewis, in his role as the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa challenged the OHA and its members to get involved.
On December 1, 2004, the initiative will be sending a team of Ontario-based health care providers to Lesotho in commemoration of World AIDS Day.
"Ontario’s hospitals are leaders in HIV/AIDS treatment and research. This project offers us a tremendous opportunity to begin to help heal a nation in dire need," said OHA president Hilary Short.
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For further information:
Cara Francis
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1371