London,Ont.-London's Crich family, owners of the AuburnGroup of Companies, is backing a world-leading surgical program at London Health Sciences Centre with a $1 million gift.

The funds, donated through London Health Sciences Foundation, will help finance the latest da Vinci Si Surgical Systems currently in use at the hospital's CSTAR program (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics).

While the gift is the result of their experience with care received at LHSC, in particular with cardiac surgeons Dr. Bob Kiaii and Dr. Neil McKenzie, family spokesperson Jamie Crich said the donation also follows his father's philosophy and example. This donation continues a long philanthropic tradition in the family that includes supporting health care in London. The late Don Crich believed in building and investing in communities and his family is noted for their charitable contributions.

The idea of donors supporting changes in the way treatment is delivered has a long history in London - even when it comes to surgical equipment. For example, in 1901, when Sir Adam Beck made an in-kind donation by purchasing a surgical table and equipment for the hospital, it was a novel idea. Before then, each surgeon was required to supply his own instruments.

Similarly, donors have funded every previous robotic surgical platform at LHSC. The availability of this advanced technology helped attract skilled surgeons to the city and surgical teams using this technology were able to pioneer 24 national and international medical firsts using that equipment.

The latest first, a robotic-assisted colorectal surgery, was announced by the hospital earlier today.

While this particular donation by the Crich family was made in the context of cardiac care, the availability of the da Vinci Surgical System also benefits patients with a variety of other conditions ranging from certain cancers to gastrointestinal disorders.

The donation adds to the total of LHSF's campaign to raise $200 million for the current and future needs of LHSC. The campaign has now reached almost $160 million in pledges and donations. A public phase of the campaign to help raise any remaining portion is planned for later this year.

Quotes:

"Because our family has been touched by the wonderful caregivers at London Health Sciences Centre, most particularly Dr. Kiaii and Dr. McKenzie, we are making a commitment today to ensure that patients will continue to experience the exemplary care made possible when skilled and caring surgeons have access to the latest and most innovative technology."
Jamie Crich, Donor

"We are grateful for the generosity of the Crich family who continue to help build the resources we have in our community. Their gift strengthens LHSC's ability to stay at the forefront of surgery and ultimately, it is our patients who benefit from the advances we achieve with this technology."
Tom Gergely, Chair, London Health Sciences Centre

"I can't express my thanks enough. Without donor support like this, we would have been unable to provide care to patients with heart disease in the same way we have over the past several years. I believe that as robotic-assisted surgery continues to rapidly evolve, we will have the ability to provide even better patient care in the future."
Dr. Bob Kiaii, Chair/Chief Cardiac Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre

"The Crich family's gift will positively affect the care of patients who turn to our hospital for care. It will also help patients from across Canada whose surgeons train here on the latest technology and alongside the top experts in the field of robotic-assisted surgery."
John MacFarlane, President, London Health Sciences Foundation

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London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) is a registered charity accredited by Imagine Canada and the Better Business Bureau, linking donors and health care experts together in pursuit of medical excellence at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). To see why doctors, researchers, nurses and staff at LHSC dedicate their lives to providing great patient care, to pursuing medical discovery and innovation, and to constantly improving through education; why patients are grateful for the extraordinary care they provide; and why donors and volunteers are so committed to supporting their vital work, visit www.lhsf.ca/whatsyourwhy.

For more information: Alex Peterson, LHSF Public Relations Manager
follow: @AlexAtLHSF     voice: 519.685.8527       alexander.peterson@lhsc.on.ca