Friday, May 15, 2009

Crystal Classic Celebrates RVH Under Construction

More than 400 dinner guests and 250 golfers will be “Working on a Dream” on June 7th and 8th as Royal Victoria Hospital presents the 22ndth annual Crystal Classic, one of the largest and most successful charity golf tournaments in Barrie.

The two-day event, presented by the Bank of Montreal (BMO) features an elegant gourmet dinner and spectacular auction items at the exquisitely decorated Georgian College Athletic Centre, as well as a day of golfing at the challenging Barrie Country Club.

This year’s event, appropriately themed “Working on A Dream”, will hold extra excitement for participants as RVH has officially become a construction zone. Work is well underway for the Phase 1 Expansion Project, the largest capital project in this region, with an expected completion date of late 2011. Just knowing the people of this region will benefit from the expanded hospital services, which includes cancer care close to home, makes the planning and work involved in this event all worthwhile for Crystal Classic chair Dale Pickard.

“We’ve all been touched by cancer, so this is a cause we can all feel passionate about,” says Dale Pickard, tournament chair and Senior Private Banker, BMO Harris Private Banking. “It’s tough enough battling this disease, but to be forced to travel to other communities for your lifesaving treatment is unthinkable. This project will ensure regional cancer patients get the care they need, close to home.”

And no one knows how important it is to have care close to home, than Cindy Bailey. The Gravenhurst woman was among the first 400 cancer patients in the region to receive radiation therapy at the Temporary Radiation Treatment Clinic at RVH. When the expansion is complete and the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre is open, that treatment option will be available to all cancer patient in the region.

“Cancer care close to home is not a privilege – it is a right for every cancer patient in Simcoe and Muskoka. No one should have to be faced with the life or death decision of whether to have treatment or not, all because of a four lane stretch of highway,” says Bailey. “When I learned I could receive radiation at RVH - it was Barrie or nothing. If I did not have that option – I would have chosen nothing. I received my treatments, maintained my business and now I’m looking at the light at the end of my tunnel and a light that will now shine for all cancer patients in this region. That light is the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.”

All of the funds raised at this year’s event will be used to help build the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital. Tickets are still available for the gourmet dinner on June 7th and golf June 8th at the Barrie Country Club. For reservations or sponsorship opportunities please call Marcy Baldry, at 728-9090 ext: 41612.

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