Many of the region’s business and community leaders – as well as Ottawa’s top professional athletes – are dusting off their jumpsuits, flared pants and platform shoes in preparation for one of the biggest fundraising events of the year.
The annual Ferguslea Properties Ltd. Senators Soirée, presented by Bell, will attract approximately 600 plus attendees and give guests the opportunity to rub shoulders with the city’s NHL stars while supporting programs and initiatives focused on children and youth.
One of these programs aimed at youth mental wellness and funded by the Ottawa Senators Foundation is the new Well-Being Program to benefit oncology patients at CHEO.
When a family hears the devastating news that their child has cancer, there are many things to consider. Children may be coping with the stress of treatment, anxiety about their future or worries about missing school or the sports they enjoy.
This was the pressing issue facing young patients at CHEO. Children suffering from a cancer diagnosis didn’t have timely access to a much needed service – mental health counselling.
To meet the need, the CHEO Foundation set up the Well-Being Program to offer free mental health resources to cancer patients.
“We know that cancer treatments can affect cognition or physical ability,” says Jacqueline Belsito, Vice President, Philanthropy and Community Engagement at the CHEO Foundation. “As soon as someone is diagnosed, the whole family is affected. The psychological impact is profound.”
Launched in 2017 using only donated funds, the Well-Being Program has given more than 900 free counselling hours to families. The Ottawa Senators Foundation donated $50,000 to the program to ensure kids in 2019 would continue to have access to counselling.
Support for programs such as the Well-Being program is generated by events like the Senators Soirée. Scheduled for Feb. 9, 2019, the “Saturday Night Fever”- themed event will transform the Westin Hotel into the city’s hottest nightclub complete with live music, velvet ropes, a disco ball and plenty of sequins.
But in addition to good-natured fun and networking, the Sens Soirée has a serious goal.
“The funds raised at this event will help us further our mission to empower children and youth by investing in social recreation and education programs focused on physical and mental wellness,” says Danielle Robinson, President and CEO of Ottawa Senators Foundation. “By investing into programs like the Well Being Program we will provide support to families in or community when they need it most.”
You can help the Ottawa Senators Foundation be Game Changers for Youth by joining them on February 9 for the one-of-a-kind Ferguslea Properties Limited Senators Soirée, presented by Bell. For tickets and event information please visit: http://www.sensfoundation.com/soiree
