From left to right: Sharon McLeod (College Heights), Rob Crocetta (Spruceland),
Lucas Hills (College Heights), Mike Jakubowski (College Heights),
Travis Nielsen (College Heights), Richard Bullen (Hart Highway)
and Don Gowan (Spirit of the North).

Cougars GM Dallas Thompson presents Don Gowan of Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation with a check for $1,200.00. The Cougars donated $2 to the healthcare foundation from every group and walk-up ticket sold to their March 17^th game. The Cougars and the Spirit of the North are looking forward to working together to present the Inaugural Prince George Cougar Alumni/Hospital Pro Am this August.

Stay tuned for more information.

In partnership with Stride and Glide Sports and the Prince George Road Runners, the NMP students organize a 1km/5km/10km walk and 5km/10km/21km run. The event is a chance for the medical students of Prince George to engage with the Prince George community, as well as raise funds through registration fees and clothing sales.

In past years funds raised have been given to the Northern Medical Program’s rural fund, in order to help subsidize costs for the second year medical students who all embark on a third year 4 week summer elective in a rural community in BC. Last year however, the class decided to begin fundraising for charity groups from our community, and donate the funds to a different charity every year. In 2011 we supported the New Hope Society.

This year we have decided to support the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, specifically choosing the Senior Wellness Fund. Seniors are often overlooked when it comes to funding that more typically goes to areas such as paediatrics or cancer care, and we felt that this was an excellent way to give back to the community that has offered us so much during our medical training.

WHAT: Prince George Run for Rural Medicine
1km walk, 5km run/walk, 10km run/walk, 21km run (half marathon)
race map: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/14519751

WHO:  Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation: Senior Wellness Fund

The Spirit of the North is working with Northern Health and Seniors’ facilities like Jubilee, Parkside and Gateway to raise funds for social outings, equipment and furnishings to help enhance their quality of life.

WHEN: Sunday April 15th 9:00am
***please arrive at 8:30am to sign in and get your bib and timing chip so we can ensure on time race start***

WHERE: Race start is at the Hart Community Centre

HOW TO REGISTER: Go to http://www.strideandglide.ca/Events/2012-run-for-rural-medicinehart-half
Day Of Race:   $15 Pre-registration (online only):   $10 (PGRR Members:  free, but donations are welcome!)

 For more information contact Lindsay Benoit at 250-640-6695 or lindsaybenoit@gmail.com

 Print Media Release

Spirit of the North Week on CKPG TV

April 16^th – April 20^th, 2012

Spirit of the North Week on CKPG TV was born from Spirit of the North Day. Due to overwhelming response from the community, the one day telethon has since expanded to a one week event. Monday to Friday between the 5pm and 6:30pm News casts, CKPG will broadcast a live half hour telethon, where viewers can call in or text to donate money to the SOTN.  The telethon will be rebroadcast each day right after the 11pm News.  Donation lines will be open 24hrs.

Friends of the SOTN have the opportunity to sponsor one day of the telethon.  As the Lead Sponsor you will receive the follow on your specific day. 

• Announcer promo talk on 101.3 The River and 99.3 The Drive telling people that your company is the daily sponsor and encouraging people to tune in to the telethon.  
• Pre-produced radio commercials announcing your company as the daily sponsor. 
•  Sponsorship credit within the telethon, including audio and visual billboards. 
• Sponsorship credit within 1 x 30 second TV commercial that airs throughout the week, 30 x 30 sec ads.
• Recognition as the lead sponsor of the day on the Spirit of the North and CKPG TV Facebook pages.
• Sponsorship Value: $2000.00, donation to Spirit of the North.  
• PLUS – The opportunity for the sponsoring business to ‘personally’ voice commercials for their day inviting participation from listeners.

Download Sponsorship Package

Contact Kim Royle @ 250-565-2381 to particpate!

The winner of the 2012 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic was Don Clifford, of Prince George.

Second prize of an official Harley-Davidson leather jacket was Heather Anderson of Prince George.

Third prize winner was Jim Anderson, winning a $250 gift certificate to the Harley Davidson shop in Prince George. 

All proceeds from the raffle are donated to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and will be used for equipment purchases.  This is the 15th successful Harley raffle for the two groups and the Spirit of the North is proud to announce that over the years, more than $500,000 has been raised through this annual fundraiser. 

The PG Firefighters continue to be one of the community’s strongest supporters of the Foundation, health care and UHNBC.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket – we appreciate your support.

 For further information please contact Debie Hamilton (250)565-2522

Media Release for 2012 Harley Raffle

Please Note: Due to a scheduling conflict, the show has been moved to Thursday, May 24.
All tickets sold for May 23rd will be valid on May 24. 

The Spirit of the North in partnership with the CN Centre is pleased to present The Canadian Tenors, in concert Thursday, May 24th. Partial proceeds of this event will go towards enhancing healthcare in the North.

The Foundation will be selling ticket packages that include premium seating and a pre-concert VIP Wine and Cheese Event, to take place in the CN Centre. For more information regarding this special package, please contact Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation at 250-565-2515 or 250-565-2381 or visit our Facebook page.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public in Friday, March 9th through Ticketmaster.

Facebook users have the opportunity to WIN 2 general admission tickets. ‘Like’ our Facebook page and be entered to win one of two sets of tickets.

Watch the Canadian Tenors perform with Celine Dion on the Oprah Winfrey Show on YouTube.

1st Prize: 2012 Heritage Softail® Classic

2nd Prize: Harley Davidson Leather Jacket

3rd Prize: $250.00 Harley Davidson Gift Certificate

Tickets are $20.00

Available from November 18th, 2011 to March 17th, 2012 from Costco, Harley Davidson of Prince George, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, or the Downtown Fire Hall local 1372.

Draw Date: March 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm

at Harley Davidson of Prince George, 2626 Vance Rd, Prince George, BC.

On November 18, 2011, I was taken to the Emergency department at UHNBC with severe lower abdominal pain.

It is now January 25 and in the time between those two dates I have had an MRI, an initial appointment and subsequent examination by a surgeon, a biopsy, was advised by my GP that cancer had been found, had surgery to remove surrounding tissue, a second biopsy and a one week stay in the hospital.

I’m now at home recovering and have been advised that no more cancer was found.

All this within a two month period and without any tiered approach whatsoever.

I fully understand there are problems in the system just as there is in any organization.

However, at no time during these past horrific two months did I experience or receive anything but courtesy, kindness and professional treatment.

I met a tremendous number of people who were doing their jobs, doing them to the best of their abilities and doing them well.

They face formidable challenges every single working day, even if just in the sheer number of us that seek their skills.

They share in pain, suffering and unhappiness but still continue to perform the tasks that need doing, all to alleviate what someone else is going through.

In closing, thank you to everyone involved with my medical situation this past while.

There are no words to tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me.

Kindest regards,

Jo-Anne Carter, Prince George