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The Third Annual Citytv Herbie Day Raised $181,374 In Support of Operation Herbie
Jun 10, 2008
TORONTO, June 10 /CNW/ - Citytv is pleased to announce that the third annual Citytv Herbie Day and Citytv Herbie Day Celebrity Online Auction were overwhelming successes, with Citytv viewers contributing $181,374, and counting as proceeds continue to trickle in, in support of Operation Herbie and the Herbie Fund. The Herbie Fund provides assistance to children receiving life-saving or life-altering surgery at SickKids that is not available in their home country and is supported entirely by charitable donations. "We are so pleased to have been able to make a contribution to such a worthy organization as Operation Herbie," said Jamie Haggarty, EVP Television Operations, Rogers Media Television and VP/GM Citytv Toronto. "Our viewers deserve a huge thanks as they came through once again by embracing Herbie Day. Our community's support is directly improving or saving the lives of children...we can't thank you enough." "Citytv Herbie Day completely embraces what the Herbie Fund is all about," said Kamla Sharma, Director, International Affairs, The Hospital for Sick Children. "It truly is about a community coming together to save the life of a child. What Citytv and all the viewers accomplished this year will ensure that a number of kids from around the world continue to have access to life-saving care that otherwise wouldn't be available to them. Thank you Citytv, your unbridled support continues to push us closer to our vision, Healthier Children. A Better World." Herbie Day Fundraising Efforts Included:- Citytv Herbie Day - On Friday, June 6th, viewers were invited come down to the front lawn of The Hospital for Sick Children and take part in the third annual Citytv Herbie Day. The day long, festivities were hosted by "CityNews" Anchor Gord Martineau and were broadcast live on Citytv. Live coverage began on "BT-BreakfastTelevision" and continued throughout the day on "CityNews at Noon", "CityOnLine", "CityNews at Five" and "CityNews at Six". The day was full of entertainment and food from around the world as well as insightful interviews with the Herbie patients themselves. - Citytv Herbie Day Celebrity Online Auction - Viewers had the opportunity to bid on some amazing prize packages donated by some of their favourite Citytv personalities including Gord Martineau, Liz West, Merella Fernandez, Kathryn Humphreys, Jennifer Valentyne, Jee Yun Lee, Nalini Sharma and Pam Seatle. Viewers were able to bid on these exciting auction items between May 26th and June 4th. - Extensive coverage of Gord Martineau's travels to Botswana and Trinidad to meet with the Herbie Patients aired in a five-part series on "CityNews" from June 2nd to 6th.Congratulations to everyone who helped support Citytv Herbie Day and the Citytv Herbie Day Celebrity Online Auction. For more information on this and other Citytv initiatives, please visit www.citytv.com About Operation Herbie and the Herbie Fund: An increasing number of sick children from around the world and their families look to the Herbie Fund (www.herbiefund.com) at SickKids to provide treatment not available in their homeland. Over 600 children from approximately 88 countries have received specialized medical and surgical help that would not otherwise be available to them. The Herbie Fund helps approximately 20-25 children every year. The number of children helped depends entirely on the amount of money donated. Unfortunately, there are always more applications than can be accepted. Costs can vary greatly, depending on the type of treatment involved as well as the amount of help needed. The average cost per patient is approximately $25,000 - $30,000. Citytv, with stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, broadcasts intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television in its own unique, interactive style. With its strong local voice, Citytv offers a distinct alternative to other conventional television offerings. Its instantly recognizable 'look' and 'sound' are the product of refreshingly different on-air personalities, unique program formats and high television style. Citytv is a division of Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc.