A $200,000 donation from Desjardins Group brings the NEO Kids Foundation another step closer to to building its health centre at Health Sciences North.
Once a new facility for NEO Kids is built, it will accommodate new clinics, services and more pediatricians to care for children in Northeastern Ontario. The demand for pediatric care in Northeastern Ontario is growing. Last year, there were 35,000 patient visits for NEO Kids. Demand for services is expected to grow by up to 40 per cent over the next 10 years.
Dr. Sean Murray, chief of Pediatrics and medical director of NEO Kids, said the Desjardins donation on March 8 speaks volumes to the importance of NEO Kids.
“It's a lot of money, and it's not easy to raise that amount, so I think this group needs to be commended for their efforts and for their commitment to the children of this community,” Murray said. “It helps us once we get closer to our capital project goals, which is still a little bit off in the distance, by the direct and indirect validation of this project within the community.”
A $200,000 investment from a company like Desjardins Group strengthens the argument to have this facility here in Northeastern Ontario, and Sudbury in particular, Murray said.
“Having the hospital and its staff recognizing the importance of NEO Kids is important, but the more important part is getting the community involved, and that's happening now,” Murray said.
Health and education are high priorities for Desjardins and its credit unions in Greater Sudbury, said Sophie Gingras, communications adviser, Desjardins.
“The NEO Kids Foundation, along with the pediatric health care centre project, will be beacons of excellence for all of Northeastern Ontario,” Gingras said.
Moving forward, the next step is to move from a planning phase into an implementation phase, or a capital project phase, said Murray.
“In order to do that, there's a lot of things we need to do internally here at Health Sciences North,” he said.
