|
|
----------------------
----------------------
----------------------
----------------------
---------------------
|
 |
NEWS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. Donates $500,000 to
Texas Children’s Hospital
| |
 |
| |
Joining Texas Children’s Hospital president and CEO, Mark A. Wallace (from left to right) is Elise Cort, director, Public, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.; Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, physician-in-chief of Texas Children's Hospital; Texas Children's Hospital Board of Trustees member and campaign chair, Anthony Petrello; Terry McGill, president, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.; and Steve Letwin, managing director, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. |
HOUSTON (June 19, 2007) – Texas
Children’s Hospital today announced a $500,000 donation from
Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. to benefit the Texas Children’s
Neurological Research Institute, the world’s first dedicated
pediatric neurological research facility.
“This generous gift propels Texas Children’s Hospital’s efforts to
perform groundbreaking research that is designed to lead to
innovative treatment options for the millions of lives affected by
neurological disorders,” said Dr. Huda Zoghbi, director, Texas
Children’s Neurological Research Institute. “The Enbridge
contribution is timelier than ever with nearly 450 million people
worldwide affected with neurological diseases, 14 million of whom
are America’s youth. This gift will not only lead to advances that
will help patients with neurological disorders, but will serve as an
investment in the future of our children.”
The number of people afflicted by neurological disorders such as
Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and
learning disabilities is on the rise. These diseases are estimated
to exceed half a trillion dollars annually in healthcare
expenditures, lost productivity and related economic costs.
Brain-related disorders account for the majority of our nation’s
long-term care costs and, when combined with psychiatric disorders,
account for more hospitalization and prolonged care than almost all
other diseases combined.
“Enbridge is committed to supporting key health initiatives in the
North American communities where our employees live and work,” said
Stephen J.J. Letwin, managing director, Enbridge Energy Company,
Inc. “We are proud to invest in this innovative neurological
facility at Texas Children’s Hospital, which is pioneering
cutting-edge research and treatment advances that ultimately benefit
children worldwide.”
Houston is the headquarters for Enbridge’s worldwide natural gas
transportation businesses and for two of Enbridge’s three U.S.
publicly traded entities, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. and
Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C.
Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the top pediatric organizations in
the world, recently announced that it is investing $1.5 billion over
a four-year period in initiatives to secure its role as a
pre-eminent pediatric institution and to anticipate the future of
children’s health regionally, nationally and internationally. This
is the largest expansion program ever by a single children's
hospital.
The planned initiatives, all of which are targeted for completion by
2010, focus largely on research and accessibility, two areas which
the Texas Children's board and its leadership believe are the keys
to rapidly translating science into quality clinical care for
children, as well as making that quality care accessible to all
patients. Major projects include the creation of a comprehensive
neurological research institute, the formation of a maternity
center, expansion of existing research facilities and the
development of one of the largest pediatric hospitals in a suburban
setting
“This investment is not about buildings; it is about the
responsibility we as a leader in pediatrics have to accelerate the
translation of research into effective treatments,” said Mark A.
Wallace, chief executive officer of Texas Children’s Hospital.
“Corporate partners like Enbridge make it possible for us to commit
the necessary resources to change the lives of countless children
and families, in Houston and throughout the world.”
The Texas Children's Neurological Research Institute will be the
first comprehensive pediatric neurological research center of its
kind in the world devoted to collaborative, unified efforts to
understand the unique issues of the child’s brain structure,
development patterns and related diseases.
The institute will combine research, treatment and education,
assisting families with children suffering cognitive disorders and
scientists committed to finding treatments and cures. Additionally,
because so much of this work will be done using genetic models of
neurodevelopmental and neurodigenerative diseases, it is anticipated
that findings will have a major impact on adult diseases such as
Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.
____________
For
medical inquiries: contact
Blue Bird Clinic
for Pediatric Neurology at 832-822-5046
To learn more
about donating:
contact
the Office of Development
at
832-824-2719
Make an immediate gift.
© 2008 Texas Children's Hospital |
|
|
|
