Today, Hydro Ottawa presented CHEO with the funds from the 2018 Save Paper for What Matters, Go Paperless Campaign. From July 3 to November 30, 2018 when nearly 24,000 Hydro Ottawa customers registered for e-billing or automated payments, Hydro Ottawa donated $5 to CHEO each time.
For four years, Hydro Ottawa has been committed to the needs of patients at CHEO. This year the Go Paperless Campaign raised a record $119,195, bringing the four-year total to $400,445!
“Chances are that a lot of parents can recall a time when a child they love received unparalleled care by the world-class team at CHEO,” said Bryce Conrad, President and CEO, Hydro Ottawa. “We are incredibly honoured to support the families that this celebrated local institution serves, thanks to the generosity of our customers. Even after four years, our customers continue to embrace this campaign and exceed our expectations. Thank you!”
The 2018 campaign highlighted the health benefits of a positive patient experience and the importance of CHEO’s kid-friendly nature. CHEO staff know that an important part of treating a child is making time for them to be kids - to play and socialize during appointments and longer stays in the hospital. Child life specialists, who are trained in the development and psychosocial needs of children, help to normalize a young patient’s day as much as possible. Through distraction techniques and education, which often include play, children feel less anxious about procedures and hospitalization.
“Spending time colouring, drawing and being creative is a great way for children to pass the time when they have to be in the hospital,” said Alex Munter, CHEO’s President and CEO. “We are very grateful to Hydro Ottawa and its customers for their continued support that, in turn, allows us to support kids, like our child life specialists do. When customers switch to e-billing or automated payments, they really are saving paper for what matters.”
Patient ambassadors Emily, Nadir, Surrey and Kierce were featured in all the campaign materials and were in attendance today. To show their gratitude to Hydro Ottawa, each child presented artwork they created.
“We are extremely thankful to Hydro Ottawa and its customers who continue to make an important difference in the health and well-being of children in our community,” said Kevin Keohane, President and CEO, CHEO Foundation. “The Go Paperless Campaign will once again help us to fund some of CHEO’s most urgent needs.”
Media contact
Daniel Séguin
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 2345
[email protected]
Katrina Bussey
Director of Communications
CHEO Foundation
Tel: 613-738-3969