September 8, 2011 (WINNIPEG, MB) – On September 12, 2011, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation (SBHF) will present its prestigious 2011 International Award to Steve Nash,two-time NBA MVP and children’s champion, at a gala dinner.
Steve Nash is a champion, on and off the court. He has used his celebrity to advocate for children’s rights, health and education in North and South America,” says Chuck LaFlèche, President & CEO, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation. “The International Award was created to recognize outstanding work in health care and humanitarian efforts and we are proud to welcome Steve to the distinguished list of past recipients.” Since its inception in 1976, the International Award Dinner has raised important funds to support medical research and advancements inpatient care at St. Boniface Hospital. In this way, the Award not only honours outstanding work in health care and/or humanity, but also furthers that work through supporting important initiatives in Manitoba, and research that benefits the local and global communities. Past International Award recipients include Rosalynn Carter (1979), Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1982), Sir Edmund Hillary (1994), and most recently, Sir Bob Geldof (2008).
On September 12, Nash will learn about important medical research taking place in Manitoba during a tour of St. Boniface Hospital Research. He will also speak to the media during a news conference at the I.H. Asper Clinical Research Institute. Nash will meet and play basketball with Manitoba youth, including Steve Nash Youth Basketball players, at the Investors Group Athletic Centre at the University of Manitoba. Later in the evening, Nash will receive St. Boniface Hospital Foundation’s prestigious International Award at a gala dinner at the MTS Centre. A detailed itinerary will follow.
Nash was raised on Vancouver Island, where his athletic talents developed from a young age. He set his sights on becoming a professional basketball player and after graduating from Santa Clara University in 1996, Nash was drafted 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns. In May 2005, Nash was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, an award he received for the second time in 2006.
Nash takes his role as a community leader very seriously. In 2001, he established the Steve Nash Foundation to assist underserved children in their health, personal development and education. The Foundation works to improve circumstances and create opportunities for children living in poverty, or with illness, abuse or neglect. The Foundation also works to provide thoughtful solutions to critical community needs, such as health care and educational activities. For more information about the Steve Nash Foundation, go to stevenash.org.
St. Boniface Hospital Foundation was founded in 1971 and is the primary fundraising organization for St. Boniface Hospital. The Foundation is dedicated to making possible the many innovations in health research and patient care taking place at the Hospital. St. Boniface Hospital is a leader in innovative, proficient patient care delivered with genuine compassion. Research at St. Boniface Hospital is where opportunities for health innovation and discovery are created; where discovery is translated into practice to improve human health; where today’s best minds are helping to shape tomorrow’s.
For more information, contact:
Karine Driedger
Communications Coordinator
St. Boniface Hospital Foundation
Ph. (204) 235-3465 Fax (204) 231-0041
news@stbhf.org