VANCOUVER, June 27, 2011 /CNW/ - TD has pledged $250,000 towards the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation's campaign to build a new centre for mental health and addictions, which includes the expansion of the UBC Medical School and funds to support TD Grants in Medical Excellence to further the education of health-care workers at Lions Gate Hospital. The announcement was made today at the TD Canada Trust branch at 14^th and Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

"We felt it was important to support this exciting project which will not only provide a state-of-the-art centre where individuals affected by mental health and addictions can receive treatment and support, but will also help train physicians of the future by providing dedicated space for the UBC Medical School", said Jane Russell, Senior Vice President - Pacific Region, TD Canada Trust. "We know that Lions Gate Hospital is a vital healthcare link in our community and we are proud to support this fundraising campaign."

The new 150,000-square-foot, four-storey building will be centrally located on the Lions Gate Hospital campus at the corner of East 13^th Street and St. Andrews Avenue.  From the Greta & Robert H. N. Ho Psychiatric and Education Centre (The HOpe Centre), patients will receive seamless integrated inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, UBC medical students will train in the new Medical Education Centre and BC Ambulance will have a permanent home. In April, the BC Government announced its contribution of $38.2 million toward the HOpe Centre. Construction of the HOpe Centre is expected to start by fall 2012 with completion by the end of 2013.

In addition to supporting the bricks and mortar component of the capital building campaign, part of the TD funding will be designated for medical grants. Among the most pressing concerns for health-care professionals in Canada is the lack of funding for professional development and ensuring the best medical talent stays in the country. To address these issues, TD has been investing in medical practitioners at hospitals and health-care facilities across Canada since 2000 through the TD Grants in Medical Excellence program.

"Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is very grateful to TD for its generous support of this campaign and for its support in helping to ensure the best medical professionals are attracted," said Judy Savage, President, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. With TD's commitment, the total raised to date is just over $18 million, which includes the leadership donation of $10 million from Greta and Robert Ho which was announced on May 25, 2011.

TD Community Giving
TD invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where our customers, clients and employees live and work. In 2010, TD donated over $50 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, we focus on Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Opportunities for Young People, and the Environment. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.