FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALIFAX – November 16, 2022 – Today, the IWK Foundation is celebrating a transformational gift towards the redevelopment of the IWK Emergency Department. Irving Oil, together with the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Arthur, Sandra and Sarah Irving, are generously donating $6 million to ensure world-class emergency care for patients and families throughout the Maritimes and beyond.
This gift will enhance excellence in the quality of emergency care and improve the patient-family experience through space design and innovation. This generous support will also be a catalyst for the delivery of better health, wellbeing and improved experience for patients, service users and staff alike.
“The IWK holds a special place in the hearts of all of us in Atlantic Canada as a compassionate, caring centre that provides hope to families when they need it most,” says Sandra Irving. “We continue to be inspired by the important work of the dedicated team at the IWK and together, we look forward to creating brighter futures for patients and families.”
“At Irving Oil, we believe in the importance of making a difference in the places we serve, and every day, our team works hard to give back to our communities,” says Ian Whitcomb, Irving Oil President. “We are pleased to contribute to the IWK Emergency Department campaign and the efforts to enhance the quality of care for Atlantic Canadians.”
“We are very thankful for the IWK and the important help it provides to so many,” says Sarah Irving, Irving Oil Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer. “This year, we’re proud to celebrate over 20 years of partnership with the IWK and our Fuel the Care program, providing fuel gift cards to more than 80,000 families travelling with a child requiring medical care. We’re really happy today to continue to build on this special partnership.”
As the only accredited level one trauma centre east of Quebec, the IWK emergency department has provided services for children, youth and families throughout the Maritimes for almost 40 years and has outgrown its current space and infrastructure to continue to provide excellence in specialized pediatric emergency care.
“When completed, the world-class care provided by our emergency department team will be complemented and enhanced within a state-of-the-art department with the best medical technologies available. This amazing gift from Irving Oil, the Arthur Irving Family Foundation and Arthur, Sandra and Sarah Irving will make much of this possible,” says Dr. Krista Jangaard, President and CEO, IWK Health. “Our vision is a therapeutic experience informed by evidence in a world-class tertiary care emergency department that is co-created by patients and families.”
The team at the IWK, with input and consultation from the families and communities they serve, has considered every step of the patient’s journey including reduced wait times, advancements in technology and efficiencies in care, enhanced privacy, confidentiality, infection prevention and control and even lighting, colour, sound. Creating a calmer, more comfortable environment that can inspire hope and distract from fear and pain in a child’s frightened moments is the goal of this redeveloped emergency department.
“Thank you to Irving Oil, the Arthur Irving Family Foundation and Arthur, Sandra and Sarah Irving for believing in the IWK and for believing in the health of Maritime children and families. We are humbled by your support,” says Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO, IWK Foundation. “It is our hope that this gift inspires other philanthropic leaders to join us and donate. Together, with the help of our community, we can help generations of children and youth, both now and for years to come.”
Irving Oil is a long-time supporter of the IWK through the Fuel the Care program that recently celebrated 20 years of providing fuel cards to families who travel long distances to the IWK. The IWK is so proud to be Irving Oil’s founding partner of this vital program which offers some financial relief and helps families focus on their children’s health, not travel costs.
The IWK Foundation is privileged to work in partnership with IWK Health and the Province of Nova Scotia on this essential redevelopment. The IWK Foundation’s goal is to raise $26.5 million to support the purchase of specialized equipment as well as specific facility upgrades, enhancements and research.
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About IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing more than $18 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About IWK Health
About IWK Health: IWK Health is the Maritime region's leading health care and research centre dedicated to the well-being of women, children, youth and families, in all their diversity. In addition to providing highly specialized and complex care, the IWK provides certain primary care services and is a strong advocate for the health of families. The IWK is a global leader in research and knowledge sharing, and a partner in educating the next generation of health professionals. Visit www.iwk.nshealth.ca for more information.
About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a family-owned and privately held international energy company. For nearly 100 years, our commitment to doing good business has been grounded in our commitment to people – to our employees, customers, communities and partners. Founded in 1924, our mission is focused on our continued evolution to meet the changing needs of our customers. Specializing in the refining and marketing of finished energy products, we operate Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Ireland’s only refinery located in the village of Whitegate. We proudly serve customers with more than 1,000 fuelling locations and a network of distribution terminals spanning Eastern Canada, New England and in Ireland, operating under the Top brand. We are on a continuous journey of sustainable development, working to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to provide safe and reliable energy to our customers. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for six consecutive years, we are proud of our team and our longstanding commitment to our customers and our communities. Learn more at www.irvingoil.com.
Media Contact
Lesley Gaum
Director, Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs, IWK Foundation
P: 902-489-2867
E: Lesley.Gaum@iwk.nshealth.ca
Katherine d’Entremont
Irving Oil
P: 506-654-7162
E: Katherine.Dentremont@irvingoil.com