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

HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group is rallying Hamiltonians to support McMaster 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 hospitals that are members of Children's Miracle Network.

Today, McMaster Children's Hospital Patient Ambassador Jarod helped to launch this year's program by smashing a piggy bank, along with Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, President of McMaster Children's Hospital in the TD Canada Trust branch at 867 Rymal Road East, Hamilton.

After three-year-old Jarod was rushed from his local hospital to the care of specialists at McMaster Children's Hospital, a revealing MRI indicated what might be unbelievable to anyone but specialists in children's care: three-year-old Jarod had suffered a stroke.

"It was reassuring to know that Jarod was in the hands of some of the top doctors in the country," said Shannon, Jarod's dad. "If it wasn't for their expertise, Jarod's story would not have been the success it is." With the help of those specialists, Jarod, now seven, reads, plays the violin and loves to run.

"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 Derek Dias, Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust.

How to donate:

Hamiltonians 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 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.

"Giving programs like TD Bank Group'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 Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, President McMaster Children's Hospital.

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.

McMaster Children's Hospital is one of Canada's leading pediatric health care facilities and is the regional referral centre for children who are seriously ill, injured or require specialized services in south-central Ontario. With more than 180,000 patient visits a year, we provide a full range of specialized pediatric services including a dedicated emergency department, 40 outpatient clinics, the province's largest neonatal intensive care unit and the only pediatric trauma centre in the region. In addition, a range of specialized outpatient services operate at the Chedoke site, including autism, developmental pediatrics & rehabilitation, and mental health.  It is also home to the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research and the internationally renowned Offord Centre for Child Studies.