Three charities benefit from public servants’ campaign

Re: Public service aims high for united way, Sept. 10. The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign — Canada’s largest workplace giving campaign — was launched on Sept. 9. Unfortunately, a brief in the Citizen mistakenly suggested this was solely a United Way campaign.

Healthpartners is one of three named charities in the national capital region GCWCC campaign. The GCWCC offers donors the choice to donate to any registered charity in Canada; and gives public servants the option to support their communities’ health and social services — essential elements for a safe and healthy city.

This misinformed coverage impacts charities such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society and others to raise the funds they need to care for our Ottawa residents.

Residents like a local mother named Nadine — a mother with two young boys struggling with cystic fibrosis. Her family feels the benefit of medical research advances every day. A few decades ago, her children would not have lived past five years old. Today, many people with cystic fibrosis like Nadine’s boys will live into their 40s.

Healthpartners supports Cystic Fibrosis Canada and 15 other major health charities. It is a unique collaboration of Canada’s leading healthcare charities working together to do better. Healthpartners raises funds exclusively through workplace giving. Contributions are invested in life-saving research, public education and support programs. Almost a third of the donations to the GCWCC are directed to Healthpartners — making it possible for our partners to invest in research and programs that save lives.

We greatly appreciate the incredible generosity of Canada’s public service who have contributed more than $100 million to our charities. Their donations touch the lives of almost every resident in our community.

Together, with support from the GCWCC, we can continue to transform the health of Canadians.

EILEEN DOOLEY, National Executive Director, Healthpartners