Champions start small

Sandra Schmirler Foundation Donates Second Gift to SAH's NICU

The Sault Area Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will benefit once again from a generous contribution by the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

This time, a donation of $20,000 will be used to purchase a new glidescope for the unit.

The glidescope is a piece of equipment that is used when intubating - the process of inserting a breathing tube into the windpipe - and greatly increases the success rate, especially with unpredictable or difficult airways.

It is a particularly useful tool for both babies and mothers in need of an airway during resuscitation and/or C-sections.

A digital camera mounted to the baton projects an image onto a portable monitor, providing a clear, real time view of the airway and tube placement, enabling quick intubation.

The glidescope is operational in seconds, has an anti-fogging mechanism which resists lens contamination, a non-glare monitor and is easy to use.

Earlier this year, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation donated $30,000 to the hospital's NICU for the purchase of a new giraffe warmer/incubator.

"We are very pleased to present a second gift to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation," said Jody Meli, chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. "Everyone at SAH were so supportive of our efforts at the 2010 Scotties to fundraise for our Foundation. This has been a great partnership and we wish SAH all the very best as they move into a facility that will look after our most vulnerable babies."

These donations represent a portion of the proceeds from a telethon held annually during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian Women's Curling Championships, which took place in January 2010 in Sault Ste. Marie.

The telethon received more than 2,800 calls from across the country, and at $287,000, set an all-time record for the amount raised.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation was created as a legacy to three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medallist Sandra Schmirler.

The Foundation's mission is "caring for babies in crisis through direct giving to neonatal care across Canada."

"We continue to pursue our dream that while all children may not grow up to be champions like Sandra, every child deserves the chance," adds Ms. Meli.

"We are thrilled with this second contribution which will allow us to purchase much-needed equipment for the NICU," says Cheryl Pavoni, executive director of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation. "Thank you to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation for their continued generous support of SAH and our community."

According to Johanne Messier-Mann, chief nursing officer, director of the maternal/ child program and nursing practice: "This glidescope will be an important addition to the equipment in our current NICU and be part of the state-of-the-art NICU in the new hospital once we move in next March. Sandra's legacy will live on through the infants and families we serve in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region for many years to come."

For more information about SAH, please visit: www.sah.on.ca

New grants to hospital foundations in Edmonton and Sault Ste. Marie

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation has announced two new grants totaling over $80,000 - on in Edmonton, host of this year's Olympic Trials and the other in Sault Ste. Marie which is home to the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation in Edmonton has received $50,693.25 for a vital piece of equipment called a video laryngoscope. This is a scope designed to visualize the larynx using video technology. The video camera is mounted on a scope used to gain access and view the larynx for diagnosis, removal of foreign bodies, and insertion of tubes via a nasal or oral route.

The Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation focuses on raising funds in support of world-class pediatric health care through education, research, special services and the purchase of highly specialized equipment.

The Sault Area Hospital Foundation receives $29,621 for the purchase of a Giraffe Incubator. This is the most advanced, user-friendly and developmentally supportive incubator available today. It provides an unsurpassed healing environment for intensely ill infants.

The Mission of the Sault Area Foundation is to raise funds for new equipment and upgrades to patient care facilities and programs.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation was created in 2001 in memory of the three-time Canadian and World curling champion and Olympic gold medalist who lost her battle with cancer in 2000 at the age of 36. Sandra fought a courageous battle and her will to live is reflected in the fight for survival, often against the odds, this is epitomized in pre-mature babies.

Shannon England, selected by the Canadian Curling Association, in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee, to carry the flame in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

OTTAWA, October 21, 2009 - The Canadian Curling Association (CCA), in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), is pleased to announce that Shannon England, husband of the late Sandra Schmirler, has been selected as a torchbearer in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

Mr. England is scheduled to run in Regina, Saskatchewan on January 10th, 2010, day 73 of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, which also happens to be his 45th birthday. Sharing in the experience will be his two daughters, Sara (12) and Jenna (10), who will be cheering from the crowd as he carries the flame proudly.

"I was excited to learn of our opportunity to nominate someone to represent the association in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay," said Greg Stremlaw, CCA Chief Executive Officer. "This is an opportunity that many Canadians would love to have, as it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"The CCA is thrilled to have Shannon England represent curling and the Canadian Curling Association. He is a wonderful role model, who, like Sandra Schmirler, embodies the spirit of curling and everything that is good about the sport.

"We are so pleased to know that Shannon will have his two daughters, Jenna and Sara, there to cheer him on during this historic day. What better way to continue to demonstrate that Sandra's passion for curling and enthusiasm for life are front and centre. We wish Shannon good luck and hope he enjoys this wonderful experience with his family."

Schmirler, a three-time Canadian and world champion, won the first official Olympic gold medal in women's curling when skipping her team to victory at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Two years later, in early March of 2000, Schmirler died of cancer at the age of 36.

"I felt very humbled and really wondered why Greg would ask me when there are so many other curlers that I would consider more worthy of this honour," said England, Director, Customer Applications, Department of Information Services, University of Regina.

"The Olympic Winter Games is the pinnacle of athletic competition. Watching my wife Sandra and her teammates win gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics will be something I will always fondly remember. If a person is not able to compete as an athlete at the Games, being able to participate in the Torch Relay would be the next best thing. It is with honour that I represent all curlers and the Canadian Curling Association in the Olympic Torch Relay."

The Olympic Torch Relay will visit over 1,000 communities in Canada, beginning its journey in Victoria, British Columbia on October 30th, 2009. Twelve thousand torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame as it travels more than 45,000 kilometres, by land, air and water, in what will be the longest relay (106 days) in history to be held within the borders of an Olympic host country. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is presented by Coca-Cola and RBC, and supported by the Government of Canada.

For more information on the Olympic Torch Relay, visit www.vancouver2010.com

2008 CTV Sandra Schmirler Charity Golf Classic

Left to right: Blair Ross, Shannon England and Brian Zawacki.

2008 Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic

The Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic is hosted by Mike Harris and George Cooke of The Dominion of Canada and was held Monday, July 28th at the Thornhill Golf & Country Club.

The curling community came together to celebrate the legacy of Sandra Schmirler and raised a record breaking $50,000 for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, to fund neonatal projects.

Many of Canada's elite curlers were in attendance; including the 2008 Women's World Champions Jennifer Jones and Cathy Overton-Clapham, and the 2008 Men's World Champions, Ben Herbert and Mark Kennedy. Also in attendance were the 2007 World Champions Glenn Howard, Richard Hart and Brent Laing along with Olympic Medalists Mike Harris and Joan McCusker, teammate of Sandra Schmirler.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation would like to thank Bob Wands of The Taylor Group, George Cooke of The Dominion and Ian Cunningham of Capital One for their support of the event and of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

A special salute goes to Jennifer Rochefort of The Dominion for her tireless efforts in organizing a wonderful day for the 144 golfers who attended.

For more photos from the event, visit the 2008 Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic photo gallery.

Canadian Direct Insurance to sponsor BC Men’s Curling Championship

When the province’s top curling teams play in Penticton next February for the right to go to the Brier, they’ll be playing in the “Canadian Direct Insurance BC Men’s Curling Championship.”

As the event’s title sponsor for the next three years, CDI will become familiar to BC curling fans with its logo on the ice, walls, competitors’ jackets, awards and promotional materials.

With the final televised live on Shaw Cable, those images will reach thousands of curling fans - a highly desirable demographic. CDI, a subsidiary of Canadian Western Bank, will also have commercial spots on both the men’s and women’s BC finals.

The CDI logo will be featured prominently on the Curl BC website for the next three years, with a link to its own site.

The new sponsorship agreement provides annual financial support to the championship event and ongoing support to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation as well as potential savings to curling club members across the province.

CDI will donate one percent of all insurance premiums it receives from Curl BC members to the Schmirler foundation, which supports neo-natal care. CDI will kick-start that effort with a $5,000 pre-payment this season.

Curl BC members will also receive a 10-percent discount on home insurance purchased through CDI, said Nigel Easton, vice president of Curl BC and manager of the Langley Curling Club where the seeds were planted for the new title sponsorship.

The Langley club had approached CDI’s parent company, Canadian Western Bank, to support the men’s provincials held there last year, and put on several events for the sponsors, who happened to include the head of marketing for CDI.

“We put on a novice ’spiel for the sponsors, and they got hooked on the game. That’s where it all started,” Easton said. “They really thought it would be a good mix - and it IS a good mix.”

New Champion in TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel, a fundraiser for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation

For immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

February 20, 2007

An 8-ender lead to a curling title for Jeff Richard and his team from the East York Curling Club

Toronto, ON: Similar to a hole in one, an 8-ender is a rare occurrence in curling. “We were getting smoked in our first game”, said Richard “then we got the 8-ender in the 4th end and never lost a game after that”. Richard and his team of Kelly MacIntosh, Cameron White and Laura White won the TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel at Scarboro Golf & Country Club on February 18th. They had a fairly easy win over Len McNicol and his team from Chinguacousy Curling Club. Dave Thomas and his team of Pat Reid, Bernie Snodofsky and Mary Phoenix won the Seniors title. Thomas curls out of the Leaside Curling Club.

Another important part of the event was the fundraising for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. Over $2300 was raised for the charity. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation is a non-profit organization that collects donations and then funds projects at neonatal facilities across Canada. It is a legacy to the three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medalist, Sandra Schmirler who passed away after a short battle with cancer in 2000. “Supporting this charity is a tradition at this bonspiel.” Said Bonspiel Chair - Joanne Stewart, “We are lucky enough to have such great sponsors and super participants in this bonspiel - everyone is happy to contribute to this worthy cause.”

With a prize table worth over $10,000, 63 teams participated in this years event in both the Open and Senior events. Sponsored by Johnson Controls, the TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel combines excellent competition with lots of fun and socializing. Teams consisted of two men and two women. The format is a three game knockout and teams had the opportunity to win one of four events.

Contact: Beth Woolnough, Toronto Curling Association
Phone 905-839-1151 x6762 (daytime) | 416 744 9561 (evenings/weekends)
e-mail: ewoolnough@vpop.ca

CTV Sandra Schmirler Charity Golf Classic

The 7th annual CTV Sandra Schmirler Charity Golf Classic was held on August 17, 2006 at Wascana Country Club in Regina. The event was a success and raised a record $33,000. The proceeds will be split between the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and the Dr. Sandra Schmirler Scholarship at the University of Regina. (The Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in the Bachelor of Physical Activity Studies program with a specialization in Recreation and Sport Administration every year. Since 2002, a total of 5 scholarships have been awarded). The Sandra Schmirler Foundation will use its proceeds of $16,500 for future neonatal grants.

Olympic Celebrities Mark Nichols, Mike Adam, Shannon Kleibrink and Amy Nixon were in attendance and did a wonderful job at the Golf Classic.

Curl BC names Sandra Schmirler Foundation as “Charity of Choice”

Curl BC, the organization responsible for the delivery of all curling programs and services in the province, has announced it will support the Foundation bearing the name of one of Canada’s most beloved curlers.

Read the press release

Kurl for Kids Supports the Sandra Schmirler Foundation

Kurl for Kids, the world's largest celebrity bonspiel, announces that proceeds from future events will go to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

“Kurl for Kids is the largest curling event in which top curlers from around the world gather to raise funds for charity. We are pleased to throw our support behind the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.” David Wylie, Chair, Kurl for Kids.

“Funds that are raised through this event, and a variety of other Sandra Schmirler Foundation projects planned throughout the year, directly support neonatal facilities across Canada... We thank the many volunteers and curlers involved with the Kurl for Kids event for their support.” Jim Harper, Chair, Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

The 2007 bonspiel will be held April 5 to 7 at the Tam Heather Tennis and Curling Club in Toronto, ON.

Read the press release

Cheque presented to the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation

Don Lane & Allan Gilchrist of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation presented a cheque for $24,000 to Rob Cooke of the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation on January 24th, 2006. The proceeds were used to purchase fetal heart monitors.

L-R: Don Lane, Rob Cooke & Al Gilchrist holding up the cheque that was presented to the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

Canadian Curling Trials Cheque Presentation

From left to right: Mathew Harris, President, Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic East Society; Rod McCulloch, President, Nova Scotian Crystal; Al Gilchrist, Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Muriel Fage, Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Linda Moore, Executive Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Jocelyn Vine, Vice President, Women‘s & Newborn Health, I.W.K. Health Centre; Elizabeth Smith, Development Officer, I.W.K. Health Centre Foundation.