TD will match donations up to $1 million to support Children's Miracle Network hospitals

EDMONTON, Dec. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group is rallying Edmontonians to support Stollery Children's Hospital, part of Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals. TD will help make miracles happen this December by matching donations, up to $1 million, made in support of Children's Miracle Network member hospitals.

Today, Patient Ambassador Malaieja helped to launch this year's program by smashing a piggy bank in the TD Canada Trust branch, at 5015-111 Street, Edmonton. Malaieja was joined by Stacey Smyth and her son Alex. Stacey and her husband Ryan Smyth, of the Edmonton Oilers, are the Stollery Family Ambassadors.

When Malaieja was born, she was sent immediately to the Stollery for a minor surgery. She returned a year and a half later and was diagnosed with restricted cardiomyopathy - thickening of the heart walls. She was put on the heart transplant list in September 2008 and was fully admitted nine months later. When she was three years old doctors placed her on two Berlin Hearts, artificial hearts, which pumped Malaieja's heart for her. Although her heart was getting a break, Malaieja suffered a stroke that affected her speech and mobility.

On July 7, 2010, a dream came true. Malaieja received a transplanted heart. Her speech and mobility are back on track and she continues to visit specialists at the Stollery.

"We know that many of our employees and customers have been touched by their own experiences at Children's Miracle Network hospitals. We're proud to support the important work of the doctors, nurses and staff - as well as the brave children they care for," said Heather Bennet, Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust.

How to donate:

Edmontonians who want to help make miracles happen can make a donation at any TD Canada Trust branch and the donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

TD Canada Trust customers can also choose to support the Children's Miracle Network by setting up automated monthly donations in-branch, by calling EasyLine at 1-866-222-3456  or online by logging into EasyWeb and clicking on "Special Requests" followed by "Make a Donation" from the menu on the left hand side of the screen.

Donated funds stay in the region where they were raised with support going to Stollery Children's Hospital, BC Children's Hospital, Alberta Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan, Children's Hospital of Winnipeg, Children's Hospital in London, McMaster Children's Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Operation Enfant Soleil, IWK Health Centre and Janeway Children's Hospital.

"Giving programs like TD's help miracles happen every day by providing critical support to Canadian children, so they can get the best treatment available through life-saving equipment, patient services and important medical research," said Jan Archbold, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.

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 2011, TD donated over $66 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.

About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. These hospitals, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase specialized equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca.