TORONTO, May 20 /CNW/ - CIBC is pleased to announce a $500,000 commitment
to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation that will go towards the
completion of the Loretta Anne Rogers Critical Care Centre. The Centre,
located in the Fell Pavilion at TWH, has been transformed to optimize care for
the most critically ill patients with an improved healing environment and a
greater emphasis on infection prevention.
    "We are very grateful to CIBC for making one of the largest financial
commitments to our capital campaign for the transformation of the Loretta Anne
Rogers Critical Care Centre into a state-of-the-art facility that can
accommodate 7,000 patients a year," said Dr. Bob Bell, President and CEO,
University Health Network. "The Centre now has the latest technology and
facilities for staff, a patient-centred healing environment, a more
comfortable waiting area for families, staff education opportunities, and a
space that exceeds all infection control standards."
    "This sizeable commitment from CIBC has helped us exceed our private
sector fundraising target for this campaign," said Paul Farrell, Managing
Director and Head of Merchant Banking at the wholesale banking arm of CIBC.
Mr. Farrell is a member of the Foundation's board and board champion along
with Mrs. Rogers for the Loretta Anne Rogers Critical Care Centre. For many
years, CIBC executives have been active board members of the Foundation and
its committees, which include responsibilities for capital campaigns.
    "I am proud to contribute my time and effort to help the Foundation
achieve its goals," added Farrell. "The fundraising we do as a Foundation not
only transforms our hospitals to include state-of-the-art facilities such as
the Loretta Anne Rogers Critical Care Centre but also helps to attract some of
the best scientific and medical minds in the world to Canada to create an
epicenter in Toronto of leading-edge medical discoveries and treatments."
    Contributing to the health and well-being of Canadians is an important
part of CIBC's community investment program. CIBC currently has more than $19
million in multi-year commitments to hospitals and health research facilities
across Canada.

    About Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation

    Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation raises funds for research,
education and the enhancement of patient care at Toronto General Hospital and
Toronto Western Hospital as well as for their respective research arms,
Toronto General Research Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute. The
Foundation's vision is to enable global leadership and innovation in health by
developing and sustaining strong relationships with University Health Network
stakeholders.

    About CIBC

    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation and United Way, we
are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the
country. In 2008, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million
worldwide to charitable and nonprofit initiatives. Of this, more than $27
million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local
organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas