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Pacific Blue Cross supports mental health clinic in New Westminster

Movers & Shakers
Pacific Blue Cross Royal Columbian Hospital
Pacific Blue Cross recently made a generous donation to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.

Pacific Blue Cross is contributing $100,000 toward a new mental health and substance use wellness centre at Royal Columbian Hospital.

The centre, currently under construction as part of the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital, is anticipated to provide 75 mental health beds, state-of-the-art patient care and increased psychiatric training for the next generation of caregivers. It will also include Fraser Health’s first older adult psychiatric unit, a psychiatric high-acuity unit and new and expanded outpatient clinic replacing the aging 30-bed Sherbrook Centre.

“With our new mental health centre, we are creating an ideal environment for patients that is inviting, soothing and spacious,” said Jeff Norris, president and CEO of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. “With its major investment, Pacific Blue cross is making a meaningful and healthy difference in the lives of British Columbians and helping to set the stage for mental health care for decades to come.”

Through the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation, the company supports organizations that help improve outcomes in the area of chronic disease and mental illness. The company’s approach to social responsibility was established through input and construction with its employees and the community.

“Since 2011, the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation has supported more than 150 non-profit organizations working to improve health and wellbeing in British Columbia,” Pacific Blue Cross chair Richard Taylor said in a press release. “We recognize the significant impact the new mental health centre will have on patient care throughout the region.”

The mental health and substance use wellness centre, set to open by 2020, is part of Phase 1 of a multi-phase $1.3-bilion development of Royal Columbian Hospital.

TD sponsors street party in uptown New West

TD Bank Group is once again throwing its support behind Uptown Live.

The Uptown New Westminster Business Association recently announced that TD Bank Group is returning as the presenting sponsor of the Uptown Live summer music festival, which takes place in the uptown business district around Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street on Saturday, July 21 from noon until 9 p.m.

"As a committed and long-standing supporter of Canadian music and artists, TD is thrilled to again support the Uptown Business Association and the City of New Westminster in hosting Uptown Live," Debbie Haller, branch manager of the Sixth Street Branch, said in a press release. "Supporting this festival is just one of the many meaningful ways TD is connecting communities across Canada."

Uptown Live showcases performances from top B.C.-based indie artists on four sound stages, plus art exhibits, artisan vendors, the Cariboo beer garden and food trucks.

“TD is a valued corporate partner for Uptown Live,” said Susan Cartwright, chair of the Uptown New Westminster Business Association. “TD has a widely recognized reputation for supporting the arts in communities across Canada, and we are thrilled to have TD’s continued support. This agreement helps ensure the continued growth and success of the event.”

Interested in knowing who will be performing at this year’s festival? Stay tuned, as an announcement is expected any day.