August 26, 2008

The 26th Annual Doctor’s of Ontario Charity Hockey Tournament (Docs on Ice 2008) was held in Thunder Bay in April 2008. Over 500 doctors from across Ontario gathered for the fun of the game, to meet with colleagues and support local charities.

Mission accomplished. The first time the tournament was hosted in a Northern Ontario community was a resounding success in that a great time was had by all. It also resulted in the highest amount of funds ever raised by the event. Tournament Co-Chair Wendy Scott announced today that Docs on Ice 2008 raised $46,245.68. Today, P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation were each presented with a cheque for $23,122.84. “Docs on Ice 2008 was a resounding success,” says Scott. “Through the funds raised, the event will have long-term effects in our community.”

Laura Daniele of P.R.O. Kids is thrilled to be receiving the proceeds from Docs On Ice. “With these funds P.R.O. Kids will be able to cover the cost of all placements into hockey programs for the upcoming 2007-2008 season, leaving additional funding for other activities,” she says. “Our P.R.O. Kids volunteers had a lot of fun helping with the whole event. It was well worth the effort and we are grateful for having been chosen to participate. Congratulations to the organizers. It was fantastic!"

Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation, noted that the funds will be designated to paediatric care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “When your child is sick, you want excellent care. These funds help ensure that the world-class care continues for children from infancy up to 17 years, here in our family-centered environment,” he explains. “The participants of Docs on Ice are to be applauded for giving beyond their call of duty and supporting excellence in healthcare for all of our children.”

The donations provide organizers with an opportunity to thank the community for its support of the event, according to Docs on Ice Co-Chair and participant Dr. Andrew Affleck. “The support we received was exceptional and well-noted by the visiting physicians,” he says. “They were quite overwhelmed by the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the city and were deeply impressed with our Health Sciences Centre.”

Each year, the Docs on Ice hockey tournament is held in a different city to reaffirm its founding principles of charity, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

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