News
NAV CANADA employees raise money for a good cause

Aug. 23, 2012, Ottawa – NAV CANADA employees, with help from suppliers and matching donations from the Company, have raised $1,350,000 in just five years to support cancer care and ground-breaking research at the Ottawa Hospital. The original goal of the "Growing Hope" campaign was $500,000 over five years.

"NAV CANADA employees have far exceeded expectations, raising almost three times as much as our original goal," said John Crichton, President and CEO of NAV CANADA. "This is a testament to our employees' generosity, trust and support of the work being done by the Ottawa Hospital, and their commitment to the battle against cancer."

Despite the significant achievements of the campaign, NAV CANADA employees recognize that there is still more funding needed to further equip the Hospital with state-of-the-art technologies, enhance the research being conducted and to attract the best and the brightest medical and scientific talent to the Ottawa Hospital.

"I'm pleased to announce that NAV CANADA will be partnering with the Ottawa Hospital Foundation for another five years," said Crichton. "I know that our employees will rise to the challenge – as they do every day in helping keep our skies safe and the aircraft moving efficiently. This is yet another example of their generosity and community spirit, so much in evidence in communities across the country in which they live and work."

The Ottawa Hospital campaign, which began in 2008, raised $205,000 the first year, $244,000 in 2009, $300,000 in 2010 and 2011 and $301,000 in 2012 – for the $1.35 million total.

The funds raised in the last three years have been directed toward the Ottawa Hospital's ground-breaking research into oncolytic viruses for the treatment of cancer. This research effort is led by Dr. John Bell, Senior Scientist, Cancer Therapeutics, and his team at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Previous support in 2008 and 2009 went toward the construction and equipping of a chemotherapy treatment bay and other much-needed equipment at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre.

The Company wrapped up its highly successful five-year effort with the presentation of a ceremonial cheque to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation for $301,000, reflecting employee donations, special events and a corporate match in 2012.

The cheque was presented to Tim Kluke, President and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. "The Foundation is so pleased to partner long-term with NAV CANADA," said Kluke. "On behalf of our staff and our patients, I want to thank the employees of NAV CANADA for their generosity and support."

Claudio Silvestri, Vice President & Chief Information Officer, and the 2012 Campaign Chair expressed his appreciation to all the employee donors and the Company's suppliers who supported the campaign. "My thanks to our campaign captains, canvassers and everyone who took part, for their tremendous enthusiasm and dedication to this important initiative. Together, we completed a hat trick by hitting the $300,000 goal for a third year in a row."

Marking 15 years as Canada's private sector civil air navigation service provider (ANSP), with operations from coast to coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation.