Bell Charity Golf Gala Raises Over $20,000 for hospital

North Bay Regional Health Centre
News Release

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More than $20,000 has been raised by Bell, Osprey Links and the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) Foundation during the exceptionally successful sold out Bell Charity Golf Gala. Yesterday’s tournament supports the NBRHC’s new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

“When we learned of the Foundation’s initiative to fund an urgent need in adolescent mental health care at North Bay Regional Health Centre, we knew our one day tournament could raise the much needed financial support and a little awareness at the same time,” says Peter Dilworth, Vice President of Finance and Chief Procurement Officer, Bell Aliant.

“Increasing awareness and access to mental health care is not new to Bell. In 2010, we announced the launch of an unprecedented multi-year, multi-million dollar charitable program dedicated to the promotion and support of mental health across Canada,” Dilworth added.

A six bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit is being implemented at NBRHC, providing specialized mental health services in a therapeutic environment for youth in the
Temiskaming, Parry Sound, Muskoka and Nipissing Districts.
Paul Heinrich, NBRHC President & CEO, says they are grateful Bell, Osprey and all the golfers came out to today’s Bell Charity Golf Gala to support this program. “Your partnership is crucial for the Health Centre to be able to provide our district with high quality specialized mental health care for children and adolescents whose lives depend on it. Having this care
close to home is an essential component of care delivery and patient recovery.”

Ted Whittle shared the story of his son’s recovery. “After several years of troubling behaviour, my son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of seventeen. With the right
therapy and medication, he is now leading a fulfilling and productive life.”

Whittles son recently graduated from Canadore College with the highest honours in his program. “His is a story of hope and despair, courage and fear and ultimately, personal
strength and triumph. His battle will never be over and he is my biggest hero.” Whittle added.

Our region for mental health has a population of over 125,000 children ages 0 to 18 and represents 34 per cent of all children and adolescents in the region of northeast Ontario. This program, costing $1.7 million, will provide families with increased access to the mental health
services they need closer to home.

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