VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Jan. 27, 2014) – Mining for Miracles, BC’s mining community’s longstanding fundraising campaign for BC Children’s Hospital, kicked off this year’s fundraising efforts by launching the Diamond Draw at the Mineral Exploration Roundup Conference January 27 in Vancouver.
A 1.01-carat round brilliant-cut De Beers diamond, valued at $10,940, has been generously donated for the Diamond Draw by De Beers Canada Inc. The entire package is worth over $15,000, and includes gold donated by Teck Resources Limited and a designer setting by Costen Catbalue. Mining for Miracles thanks these supporters for their generosity.
“Mining for Miracles works closely with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to make donations count. We support research, capital investment and the provision of outstanding health care at the many centres of excellence within BC Children’s Hospital,” says Jason Weber, 2014 chair of Mining for Miracles. “Over the past 26 years BC’s mining industry has raised more than $21.9 million for the children and families who visit the hospital, and 100 per cent of the funds raised by Mining for Miracles go directly to the areas of need.”
In 2014 Mining for Miracles will be raising funds to support the BC Children’s Hospital BioBank. Biobanking is a new and indispensable research tool with the potential to improve treatments and find cures for diseases affecting millions of children around the world. It will be the first institutional pediatric biobank in Canada and will facilitate breakthrough medical discoveries to improve the lives of children suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases.
As in previous years, the success of Mining for Miracles depends on the generosity of individuals and corporations across the province. Donations can be made through employee and corporate fundraising initiatives and fundraising events such as the Diamond Draw or the Teck Celebrity Pie Throw, taking place on May 15, 2014, and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation events like Jeans Day™ and Slo-Pitch.
Visit www.miningformiracles.ca for more information and to donate.
About Mining for Miracles
Since 1988, Mining for Miracles has raised over $21.9 million for BC Children’s Hospital. Every year, volunteers from the mining community work together to help improve the quality of health care for children in the province. One hundred per cent of funds raised through Mining for Miracles go to specific projects at BC Children’s Hospital. By supporting the construction of facilities and acquisition of specialized medical equipment at the hospital, Mining for Miracles is helping to keep BC Children’s Hospital at the forefront of pediatric care excellence. To learn more visit www.miningformiracles.ca.
About Biobanking
In a biobank, a collection of biological samples is stored in an environment that preserves them. Scientists who are members of the bank can seek permission to make a withdrawal from the bank and use the samples for research. In the last 40 years the survival rate for children with cancer has increased dramatically from 10 per cent to 78 per cent. This advancement is due to extensive research and the development of new treatments. A biobank offers researchers a “ready-to-use” collection of biological samples that serve as the basis of research to improve treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Mining for Miracles
Jason Weber
Chair
604-807-7217
www.miningformiracles.ca
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
Veronika Pavlina
Philanthropy Officer
604-875-2504