FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALIFAX, NS (Sept. 20, 2023) – Today, the IWK Foundation celebrated a generous $1-million gift from J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) towards the redevelopment of the IWK Emergency Department.
The gift will support enhancements to the current IWK Emergency Department, improving infrastructure and overall experience for patients and families across the Maritimes and beyond. Designed with a focus on the patient journey, the new state-of-the-art department will have the best medical technologies available, complementing the world-class care provided by the IWK’s emergency team.
“The Maritimes is home, for ourselves and so many of our employees,” said Jim Irving, co-CEO of
J.D. Irving, Limited. “That’s why we’re pleased to support the delivery of high-quality urgent care for children at the IWK.”
As the only accredited level one trauma centre east of Quebec, the IWK Emergency Department has provided services for children, youth and families for almost 40 years. The department has outgrown its current space and infrastructure, and a new space, double in size, is needed to continue to provide excellence in specialized pediatric emergency care.
“We believe in supporting the communities where our employees live and work,” said Robert K. Irving,
co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited. “The IWK provides critical care to families with sick children right here in our region. We are proud to support an organization that has given so much to families in the Maritimes.”
For the first time in its history, the IWK Emergency Department is close to exceeding 45,000 annual visits from patients. There has never been a greater need or time to invest in the future of pediatric emergency care at the IWK.
“The redeveloped emergency department is vital in our region. From Woodstock, New Brunswick to Tignish, Prince Edward Island to Sydney, Nova Scotia, children, youth and families across the Maritimes depend on the IWK for emergency care,” says Andrew Oland, Committee Member, IWK Foundation Emergency Project. “As a company with employees in every corner of our region, JDI knows first-hand the importance of the IWK Emergency Department. Thank you JDI for your commitment to, and belief in, this essential redevelopment.”
A new pediatric emergency department will enable the IWK to meet the current and future increased demands and needs of patients and families, and to further advance service improvements they have been working on over the last several years. This space will be friendly, open and less stressful for both the child and their family.
Donors, like JDI, will play an integral role in bringing this new emergency department to the standard that Maritime patients and families have come to rely on and expect – an environment that is consistent with the philosophy that makes the IWK the special place that it is.
“With this impactful gift from JDI and the continued support of our community, the IWK will continue to provide exceptional emergency care to patients and families,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “Thank you JDI, for your tremendous generosity in helping the IWK build an emergency department that is among the best in North America. When we invest in our children, women and families, we invest in our collective future.”
The IWK Foundation is privileged to work in partnership with IWK Health and the Province of Nova Scotia on this essential redevelopment. The IWK Foundation’s goal is to raise $26.5 million to support the purchase of specialized equipment as well as specific facility upgrades, enhancements and research.
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About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing over $19.4 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About IWK Health
IWK Health is the Maritime region's leading health care and research centre dedicated to the well-being of women, children, youth and families, in all their diversity. In addition to providing highly specialized and complex care, the IWK provides certain primary care services and is a strong advocate for the health of families. The IWK is a global leader in research and knowledge sharing and a partner in educating the next generation of health professionals. Visit www.iwk.nshealth.ca for more information.
About J.D. Irving, Limited
Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) is a family-owned business with diverse operations including forest products, retail, transportation, shipbuilding, food, and consumer products. The company employs a team of over 19,000 people in Canada and the United States and is proudly headquartered in New Brunswick. In business, community and the environment, the company has a longstanding commitment to finding a better way every day. The responsibility to make a positive difference in the communities where JDI is proud to live and work has meant decades of financial and volunteer support that impact the quality of life for patients and their families. Visit www.jdirving.com to learn more.
Media Contacts
Sarah Greening
IWK Foundation
Writer, Communications & Public Affairs
P: 902.266.3306
E: sarah.greening@iwkfoundation.org
Anne McInerney
J.D. Irving, Limited
Vice President Communications
P: 506.632.4649