NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2010

SECOND ANNUAL WINE TASTING GETS TO THE HEART OF IT

It’s time to raise a glass to healthy hearts. The Second Annual Wine Tasting in support of the Brockville Cardiovascular Program Unit will be held on April 22, 2010.

Four wineries, a brewery and four restaurants—all from the local area—will provide the gastronomic entertainment to help raise funds for this privately-funded and innovative program based in the Brockville General Hospital.

“This program gets no government funding,” says Sherri Hudson, Chair of the Brockville Cardiovascular Program Committee. “We operate on an annual budget of approximately $100,000—all from generous corporate and private donations.”

The Brockville Cardiovascular Program Unit is just reaching its first anniversary and already the success is measurable.

“We graduated 70 patients this year in the Leeds and Grenville area,” says Dr. Jay Bhatt, Director of the program. “Our success rate is 100% in terms of providing real benefit and quality of life to our clients.”

Recovering cardiac patients from Brockville and surrounding area no longer have to travel to Ottawa or Kingston to access information, and get support in making lifestyle changes toward a healthy recovery.  The unit operates without charge to the patient and has a waiting list. “Our next goal is to extend the unit’s work week from three days to four,” says Hudson.

The wine tasting will run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Brockville General Hospital in the cafeteria, with tickets at $50.00 per person.  Hudson says the committee is hoping for a sell-out event and, happily, tickets are going fast.

If you would like to raise a glass to healthy hearts, tickets can be purchased at the Ripnet office, or by e-mail at bcp@ripnet.com. You may also contact the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation office at 613-345-4478, or foundation@bgh-on.ca.



“Committee Chair Sherri Hudson, Director Dr. Jay Bhatt and Kinesiologist Jason Lafave raise a glass (of grape juice) to the success of the Second Annual Wine Tasting fundraiser for the Brockville Cardiovascular Rehab Program—the real wine comes out April 22!”

For more information, please contact:

Joan McLaughin
Executive Director
Brockville and District Hospital Foundation
613-345-4478
mcljo@bgh-on.ca