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 | Community Giving at Manulife Financial Healthier Community partners  IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia Thousands of Maritime children with cardiac conditions will benefit from a new digital echocardiograph imaging system at the IWK Health Centre, thanks to a donation from Manulife. Moving from non-digital to digital equipment will dramatically improve cardiac diagnosis and the sharing of information with other hospitals throughout the Maritimes. For patients and their families living outside Halifax and Nova Scotia, it can mean access to the cardiac expertise at IWK, without necessarily having to travel to the Health Centre. This will help remove a huge burden for many families already under considerable emotional and financial stress due to the illness of a child. It also means that in the most complex cases, the IWK can now consult more easily with cardiac experts anywhere in the world to develop the best treatment for its young patients. Montreal Neurological Institute Manulife made a commitment of $1 million to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) of McGill University. This gift is in support of the MNI’s Thinking Ahead campaign, an ambitious five-year $40-million initiative to invest in people and expand their facilities and services. Manulife’s donation will help the MNI create a new facility to house a state-of-the-art brain imaging centre with the most advanced imaging technologies; create the first NeuroPalliative Care Centre in North America; develop a new centre dedicated to spine and spinal cord repair; attract the brightest and best scientists and clinicians to study and work at this unique world-class centre; and lead the way in neuroscience clinical care and research. Throughout its 75-year history, the MNI has always been at the cutting edge of research and treatment of neurological disorders. With their Thinking Ahead campaign, they’re poised to make advances that will impact the world in a significant way. Laval Hospital Healthcare in Quebec City received a significant boost with a donation from Manulife to Laval Hospital that helped purchase a new state-of-the-art CT scanner, one of the first of its kind in Canada. Developed by Siemens Medical, the CT scanner uses new dual source technology that allows for more accurate imaging that is twice as fast and uses the lowest possible amount of radiation. Because the imaging speed is so fast, a perfect cardiac image can be achieved without having to slow the heart. In terms of patient safety, that’s a huge leap forward. And cardiac care is only one area of the hospital that will benefit. As a diagnostic tool, the new CT scanner will be invaluable for oncology, neurology, bariatric surgery, and all other acute patient care. Parkinson Society People living with Parkinson’s disease, their families and physicians are only a phone call away from help and advice thanks to a donation from Manulife that supports the Society’s National Information and Referral Service. Staffed with knowledgeable professionals, the service provides information packages about the disease to newly diagnosed patients, connects patients to services and physicians in their communities, offers practical support, and advises professionals on the latest research and treatment for patients living with Parkinson’s. Alberta Diabetes Institute The Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta moved recently to a new world-class, state-of-the-art facility. With outstanding scientists all working towards finding a cure for diabetes, a donation from Manulife supports their vision by funding a new research laboratory in the new facility under the leadership of a world renowned scientific investigator and professor in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences. The value of diabetes research to society is enormous. Diabetes kills more than 40,000 Canadians and consumes billions of dollars in health care costs every year in Canada. More than 60,000 new patients are diagnosed each year and this number is escalating alarmingly. By supporting the Alberta Diabetes Institute, Manulife hopes to help improve this future. Run for Life A volunteer running program based in Waterloo Region elementary schools, Run for Life gets more than 700 local kids moving in fun and innovative ways. Thanks to funding from Manulife, Run for Life has expanded its non-competitive running clubs from seven schools in 2005 to twenty one schools in 2008 and the demand is growing. Run for Life also organizes “walking” school buses. Rather than getting on a real school bus, children join others and walk to school together under the guidance of a Run for Life volunteer. Getting active is a key ingredient in the battle against childhood obesity, which is becoming an alarming health issue that only increases with age. Giving kids the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle is a great first step to lifelong health. Here is more information about Manulife's community giving: To request copies of the booklet, The Promise of Healthier Communities, please contact Kathy Brown: Email: kathy_a_brown@manulife.com Phone: 519-747-7000, ext. 48714 |
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