David Foster Foundation Spring newsletter 2010

Spring 2010 Volume 2

CELEBR ATE The Gift of Life

Message from David Foster

T WHAT’S INSIDE Message from David Foster . . . .

DFF launches new Organ Donor Awareness Program . . .

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Message from the CEO . . . . . . .

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DFF appoints new board members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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DFF & Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team up to save lives . . 4 Vancouver supports DFF . . . . . . .

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DFF launches new Planned Giving Legacy Program . . . . . .

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Dr. Anne Dipchand Director’s profile . . . . . . . . . . .

Where are they now? . . . . . . . . .

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he past year has been a very busy one, both for the foundation and for myself personally, with my first ever Hit Man tour both in the US and Canada. The tour, showcasing both established world-class performers and amazing up-and-coming singers, was an opportunity to raise awareness about the David Foster Foundation and the importance of becoming a registered organ donor, with displays at each concert and a short video about how people can help our cause.

This spring, we are launching a new organ donor awareness program called “Be A Donor, Save A Life”. I am very excited about the corporate challenge, in which organizations encourage as many of their staff as possible to becoming registered organ donors in a 30-day period.

I recently announced our new foundation board members and I’m really looking forward to what we will accomplish for the foundation in the coming year. They are passionate, dedicated and very committed to our goals of raising awareness and financial support, so it’s going to be a great year!

This past year marked a milestone for the foundation, with the registration of our 500th family. We also saw our foundation support families from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. It is such a great feeling to be able to help families from coast to coast. continued on page 2

DFF launches new Organ Donor Awareness Program

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he David Foster Foundation recently launched “Be A Donor, Save A Life”, a new program designed to raise awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor.

David visitng family and staff at Edmonton’s Stollery Hospital.

At the heart of it all are the families the foundation helps. Every week there are new children whose parents are told they need a transplant to live – and their life is changed forever. We remain committed to work with the dedicated professionals on the transplant teams across the country to help wherever we can to make each family’s journey a little easier.

“We remain committed to work with the dedicated professionals on the transplant teams across the country to help wherever we can to make each family’s journey a little easier” – David Foster

Thank you once again for your support – whether you are a contributor to the foundation, a registered organ donor, or one of our volunteers – your support is invaluable as we work to make this the best year yet for the David Foster Foundation and the families we help.

Sincerely,

David Foster, Founder and Chairman

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“Our first partner who has stepped up to take the 30day corporate challenge of this exciting new program is the Shangri La Hotel and Spa in Vancouver – they are very committed to assisting us in our goal of raising awareness about this important issue, and we look forward to hearing the results of their corporate challenge activities with their staff and sharing them in future newsletters,” said Mike Ravenhill, CEO of the David Foster Foundation.

The 30-day corporate challenge involves corporations using support resources and materials provided by the foundation to try and encourage as many of their employees as possible to become registered organ donors in a one month period.

In the coming months the foundation plans to launch the program with several organizations across the country. The Foundation is proud to work with governments, corporations and community organizations nationwide in support of this new awareness program.

For more information on participating in “Be A Donor, Save A Life”, contact the foundation by calling toll free 1-877-777-7675 or send an email to info@davidfosterfoundation.com.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Message from the CEO

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o matter where you live, the financial realities of the past year have likely changed the way you look at your world and the future. Many of us have been impacted by the economic downturn, or know someone who has.

Watching our governments, corporate and financial sectors struggle to deal with the challenges facing them has shaken our economies, job markets and communities.

In these times, it is easy to let ourselves become cynical and pessimistic, to become worried or negative about what the future holds. I believe that instead, we should try to become more grateful and appreciative of all that we do have in our lives and take the time to reassess what really matters to us – both at work and home.

We can start with little things. Try to do a better job of balancing life and work. Take time to be appreciative of a colleague or employee. Check in with a friend. And give of yourself. Giving back – to our families, loved ones, communities and the worthy causes we support – makes us all feel good. It’s empowering to know that you are helping someone else and making a difference in their life.

Since I became CEO in January 2009, I have been reaching out and sharing information and connecting with others across Canada and the US about the important work of our foundation. Raising awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. I have also been listening, learning and establishing relationships that will help our foundation thrive and grow in the coming years.

It is exciting to see people come forward, wanting to donate their time, expertise and energy to our cause.

Creating greater awareness about what our foundation is all about is so important to us. It’s one of the reasons we share the stories about the families we support in our newsletter – we rejoice with their triumphs, and never

From left to right: Clifton Murray, Rosalie Segal, Fraser Walters, Joseph Segal, David Foster, Yolanda Hadid, Victor Micallef, Remigio Pereira, and Mike Ravenhill at a recent fundraising event.

“It’s empowering to know that you are helping someone else and making a difference in their life.” forget the sadness we feel in the cases when an organ isn’t found fast enough.

I look forward with excitement and optimism to working hard with our corporate sponsors and partners to continue to build our relationships and to engage them in our new organ donor awareness initiatives and fundraising events. To working with the dedicated professionals on the transplant teams across the country to ensure our foundation is true to our mandate and accessible to those who need us the most. And to continuing to work with our Chairman and our board in the months ahead to bring a new level of excellence to all we do for the families we help.

Kind regards,

Mike Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

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DFF appoints new board members

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avid Foster recently announced the appointment of four new board directors to his foundation.

Joining the board of the 23-yearold foundation are Jim Treliving, founder and Chairman of Boston Pizza International; Dr. Anne Dipchand MD, a paediatric cardiologist and the head of the Heart Transplant Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto; Victoria author and syndicated columnist Dr. Dave Hepburn MD; and Lorenzo Oss-Cech, founding partner of law firm Hutchison, Oss-Cech & Marlatt, Barristers and Solicitors.

The new members join returning directors Allison Jones, Business Partner Manager for Hewlett-Packard and Derek Sturko, Assistant Deputy Minister for the BC government.

“This new board brings together a very exciting, committed group of professionals – each one with their own unique set of experiences and strengths,” said Foster. “Working together with our new CEO Mike Ravenhill, they will provide our foundation with the strategic direction it needs to ensure we continue to grow in the coming years.

Foster said he is also very pleased that the board is passionate about the

foundation’s goal of increasing public awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor.

“It’s all about getting the word out – getting registered takes so little time and energy, but it is a decision that can literally save many lives sometime in the future, which is why we are launching our “Be A Donor, Save A Life” program this spring,” he added.

I have always hoped that my legacy would not just be my music, but would be my foundation”, said Foster. “This new leadership and direction will ensure the foundation remains strong to help families for generations to come.”

DFF & Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

team up to save lives

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he David Foster Foundation recently announced a new partnership with Newman/ Haas/Lanigan Racing (NHLR) to help raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.

“This exciting new partnership will help us promote the importance of becoming a registered organ donor with racing fans everythwere,” said David Foster. “The Newman/Haas/ Lanigan Racing team has been amazingly supportive of this cause and I look forward to the exciting things we will be doing together.”

Newman/Haas Racing was formed by actor/race car driver Paul Newman and racing entrepreneur Carl A. Haas

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and began competing in 1983. The team is the second most successful open wheel team competing today.

Prior to their 25th season of competition in 2007 the team name Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team with “Be A Donor, Save A Life” changed to Newman/ partnership.

Haas/Lanigan Racing championships, 107 races and 109 pole to reflect the addition of Michael positions in 27 seasons of open wheel Lanigan as partner. competition. In the upcoming 2010 “David has been a friend of the team IndyCar series, the NHLR’s racing cars for many years and we are excited to will carry the logo of the foundation’s support one of his passions and help new organ donor awareness program, bring awareness to a potentially life- “Be A Donor, Save A Life”. saving cause,” said Carl Haas.

For more information, go to The NHLR team has won eight www.newmanhaaslaniganracing.com www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Vancouver supports DFF

The Canadian Tenors become registered organ donors!

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Susan Cloyd and Admiral Dan Cloyd, Dennis and Phyllis Washington

David and The Canadian Tenors Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters and Remigio Pereira

An elegant evening for a great cause!

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he David Foster Foundation was recently the beneficiary of the proceeds from a very elegant dinner party and private concert at the Vancouver home of Joseph and Rosalie Segal. The event, which raised more than $145,000 for the foundation, was one of a series of similar private parties planned for the coming year.

“Joseph and Rosalie Segal have been great friends of our foundation for years, and once again they went beyond anyone’s expectations,” said David Foster.

“They opened their beautiful home and their hearts to us and we are very grateful for their friendship, generosity and amazing hospitality.”

The evening included a surprise appearance during cocktails by the Canadian Tenors singing their hit version of Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah. Following a fabulous dinner, guests were treated to a private concert with David Foster and a wide range of entertainers, including singers Peter Cetera, American idol Ruben Studdard, Deborah Cox and Cody Carey.

“It was a great night, thanks to the wonderful generosity of Joseph and Rosalie Segal and also to our hard working evening co-chairs, Peter Legge and Mel Cooper,” said Mike Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation.

David performing with Peter Cetera

Private concert at Joseph and Rosalie Segal’s home

uring the final night of David Foster’s recent Hit Man concert tour, the Canadian Tenors announced that they had been so moved by David’s dedication to his foundation and the work it does to support families of children needing life-saving organ transplants that the entire group had gone online and become registered to be organ donors.

“These guys are just awesome – so much talent and such great hearts as well,” Foster said after the announcement. “To hear that they are already thinking about ways they can step up and give back for their good fortune is great.”

“We are very fortunate as a group to have the opportunity to share our music with the world. When we were introduced to David Foster’s Foundation, we learned how easy and important it is to get registered to be an organ donor. By doing this we can make a difference in the world by one day saving a life – it’s the right thing to do, and we are honoured to help David and his foundation,” said Canadian Tenor Fraser Walters.

In addition to helping families, the David Foster Foundation also has a mission to increase awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. Currently, about 40 per cent of those waiting for a transplant die while they are on the waiting list. Organ transplants save lives, and the goal of the foundation is to increase the number of registered organ donors in every province and territory in Canada.

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

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DFF launches new Planned Giving Legacy Program

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he generosity of the supporters of the David Foster Foundation has enabled us to provide millions of dollars in financial support to more than 500 families of children needing life saving transplants.

Without charitable giving, our foundation would not be able to continue providing this important support. To encourage people to give a donation to their favourite charity, both the federal and provincial governments have provided tax benefits for charitable gifts.

To ensure our donors receive the greatest possible tax advantage when making their charitable donations, the foundation recently launched a new planned giving legacy program. This program helps individuals and corporations to effectively align their desire to assist the foundation with tax strategies that can benefit both parties. A brief outline of some possible planning ideas is provided below, however for a confidential briefing customized to your specific needs and financial situation, please contact our planned giving consultant Rob Pesti CLU, EPC at plannedgiving@ davidfosterfoundation.com.

Planned Giving Strategies Lifetime Term Deposits A lifetime term deposit is an effective planned giving concept that allows retired individuals to increase their after tax bond or GIC returns

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by 30-60 per cent, depending on their circumstances. This increased income can be given to the David Foster Foundation without compromising any of the original income to the retirees. An enhanced tax free estate gift could also be given – the tax credit from this gift can be used while the retirees are alive and would increase their after tax income. The lifetime term deposit enables retired individuals to increase their income at the same time that they are also providing a significant charitable gift.

Flow-through Capital Gift Program In 2006, the federal government removed the capital gains tax on public shares and mutual funds that are donated to charities. The flow through capital gift program takes advantage of these rules, allowing the corporation or individual the ability to essentially tax deduct their donation twice.

The elimination of the capital gains tax on the gift allows for this double deduction. Depending on specific circumstances, this double deduction can effectively allow donors the ability to give without incurring a cost.

Charitable Loan Program This program is an interest-free charitable loan that is repaid to the donor by the foundation after a set period of time. The loan program allows the foundation the use of a person’s capital on an interest-free www.davidfosterfoundation.com

“Without charitable giving, our foundation would not be able to continue providing important support.”

– Mike Ravenhill

basis, over a certain period of time.

Donors who consider this concept don’t have a need for capital from their income.

Charitable Estate Multiplier This is a specialized life insurance program. The specialized life insurance can be qualified for even if clients are older, and they produce tax-free estate benefits. The policies are donated to the foundation and the premiums are deducted for tax purposes. Upon the death of the individual, the proceeds are paid to the foundation on a tax free basis without probate fees or encumbering the estate.

Charitable Annuity The charitable annuity allows for increased after tax income. Capital is donated to the foundation with the agreement that a certain amount of income is returned to the donor for their lifetime. A tax receipt for the unused capital portion is immediately given to the donors.

On the death of the donors, the income stops and the capital is retained by the foundation.

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Flow-through Capital Gift Program Did you know?

• Using this program it is possible to get a 120-140 per cent deduction per investment dollar. As a result, an individual can tax deduct up to 120 – 140 per cent of the investment into this program against taxable income.

• Every province has various deduction levels and you should review the amounts according to the province that you reside in.

• The flow-through credit system has been in place for several years and is sponsored by the federal and provincial governments in Canada. The program can be purchased just on its own but if combined with a charitable gift the tax savings can be quite significant. * Please note that this is not an offering of securities and should not be construed as such.

Each individual should seek independent advice as it relates to their own circumstances.

Dr. Anne Dipchand Director, Medical Relations/Transplant

Director’s profile

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n this issue, we welcome our new foundation board (see full story on the new board on page 4). As one of the newest board members, Dr. Anne Dipchand has more than a casual interest in the work of the foundation – as one of the country’s finest paediatric cardiologists, she also performs paediatric heart transplants at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.

What made you decide to become a paediatric cardiologist?

Well, I first realized I wanted to do medicine during my first year of undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. I was heading for a career in basic science – genetics, actually – but after spending volunteer time at the IWK Hospital for Children in Halifax, I changed career paths to medicine. During the first year of my cardiology fellowship at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, I fell in love with the whole field of heart transplantation.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is taking care of kids, especially really sick kids – helping them get better and experience as normal a childhood as possible with a good quality of life is very rewarding.

What do you do when you aren’t working?

My favourite “hobby” (which is my real job!) is spending time with my three beautiful children and my husband. Travelling, reading, playing games and exercising are also important to me.

You must be a very busy person!

Yes, but I love that! At Sick Kids, we perform between 15-20 heart transplants a year, plus I also do echocardiograms, manage heart failure and cardiomyopathy patients and have a busy inpatient and outpatient general cardiology practice.

In addition to your medical responsibilities, you are also on a number of medical committees and organizations across the country.

Why did you join the David Foster Foundation board, and what do you hope to accomplish in your role as board member?

I greatly admire the work of the foundation and the support it has provided for many of the families of children I have cared for over the years. After hearing of the positive changes that are occurring, the new administrative structure and the vision for the future, I was excited to be part of moving the foundation forward, and look forward to the year ahead!

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

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World Transplant Games – one family’s experience This month’s column catches up with one of our David Foster Foundation families – the Gaudet family – from Amherst, Nova Scotia. Laura Gaudet, now 8, had a heart transplant when she was only 3 ½ months old. Laura’s dad Claude wrote to share with us the family’s life-changing experience recently at the world transplant games:

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his past August our daughter Laura competed in the 17th Annual World Transplant Games in Australia. When we were asked if Laura would want go, my first thought was “Yeah right, we can’t afford that”. However, through fundraising and the generosity of our community, school and friends, we were able to raise enough money ($15,000) for our whole family to go.

Australia is literally on the other side of the world. It took us three flights and about 30 hours to get there, but wow, we were in Australia! At the games, there were over 40 countries participating and over 1,000 athletes (all transplant recipients). The competitors ranged from 6 to over 70 years old! At the opening ceremonies, all the countries marched in, with

the last group of people being a group of transplant families.

This was emotional because without those families, none of the athletes would be there.

Laura (second from right in front row) and other Team Canada transplant games participants with their families at the world transplant games in Australia.

Although the transplant games were created to promote organ donor awareness, to the athletes and families it seemed more about celebrating life. The crowd would cheer just as loud for the last runner as they did for the winner. There seemed to be no pressure for anyone to win. The feeling I got was that all of the competitors had already won.

Laura competed in the 50m run and the ball throw. Although she didn’t win a medal in the 50m run, she did get a bronze in the ball throw. She was so excited and proud that she could not stop smiling!

During the 10 days of the games, we went to the convention center for breakfast and supper. There were about 12 buffets to feed close to 3,000 people. This was a great opportunity for us to meet different families from all over the world

What we do he David Foster Foundation provides financial support to the families of children across Canada needing life-saving organ transplants. The foundation helps families with their non-medical expenses during this difficult and stressful time. Since 1986, the foundation has helped hundreds of families and provided millions of dollars in direct financial support to families. In addition to providing financial support to families, the foundation also strives to increase public awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor.

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I believe that these games gave her confidence and showed her that she is not so different. Laura does not let her transplant slow her down in any way and she is always proud to talk about it.

If you are a transplant recipient or you have a child with a transplant, I would seriously encourage you to participate in this event. Not only is it a great experience for the child but it is also a super opportunity for the parents and siblings. It was a life changing experience for our family.

Claude Gaudet

David Foster Foundation

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who share similar stories to ours.

Sometimes we, as parents, feel that no one really understands. There, everyone did understand. Laura too, who sometimes says that she feels different that the other kids at school, seemed to fit right in and even made friends with girls from Hong Kong and New Zealand.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

212 Henry Street, Victoria BC Canada V9A 3H9 Phone 250-475-1223 Toll free 1-877-777-7675 www.davidfosterfoundation.com