Achievements

Since the formation of Paul’s Team in the spring of 2003 much has been accomplished:

Awareness Activities:

Paul’s team has participated in 14 National Capital Race Weekends (2003-2016). The team t-shirts contain an image of Paul and the slogan “Open Your Hearts to Organ & Tissue Donation”. They are readily recognized and have created an awareness for the need of organ and tissue donation. There is strong participation from Paul's team in almost all race events.
Thanks to our friends in the media covering the race weekend events, many articles have been written in local papers and members of Paul’s team have appeared on local TV & radio programs promoting awareness.
Members of Paul’s team have participated in many local events including the Santa Claus Parade, Dragon Boat Race, Face of Hero Entertainment Evening organized by the Emergency Nurses of Eastern Ontario, National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week (April), as well as numerous speaking engagements (hospitals, universities & colleges) reminding the public of the need for organ donation.
The Emergency Nurses Association of Ontario held three fundraisers promoting organ and tissue donation & awareness. With the money raised, the Emergency Nurses Association collaborated with Lavigne Truck Lines to create graphic designs on three of their trailers – each promoting organ and tissue donation awareness. An image of Paul appears on the trailer to promote the cause. The trailers can be seen by many who travel Highway 401 from Montreal to London on a regular basis. Some pictures from the trailer may be viewed under the photo section of Paul's web site.

Together as a community, we believe that education, awareness, support and recognition of donor/recipient families will result in the provision of comfort and hope to many through the gift of life.

Support of other charities:

Paul’s Team also recognizes that there are many other smaller and in some instances less recognizable charitable organizations also in need (Project Upstream, Shepherd's of Good Hope, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program, Candlelighters, Ottawa Hospital Social Services, and others). Many of these agencies have very limited resources to promote their cause, carry out their mission, raise funds, etc. We believe these organizations are equally deserving of awareness, support and financial assistance.

Funds Raised:

We are supported by family, friends, the general public as well as corporations who contribute by participating in events, volunteering their time and/or through financial donations. To date, $170,665 (2003-2016) has been raised.

$23,000+ for organ and tissue awareness initiatives.
$3,000 donated to the Ottawa Hospital – Women’s Breast Cancer Centre and men’s Prostate Cancer Centre.
$52,000+ has been used to furnish the main Reception Room + 4 small quiet rooms for relatives and friends of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (Civic site). An information centre pertaining to Organ and Tissue Awareness has also been established in this area. These rooms have now been completed and were officially opened in May 2009. A plaque recognizing the contribution of the Paul Kennedy Team was placed in this area.
A special fund was established in 2005 to provide financial assistance to recipient and donor families in need. Money is used to cover travel, lodging, food, drugs and other miscellaneous expenses. To date, $18,000 has been donated to assist five recipient families. An additional $8,000 has been set aside to help families in need of financial assistance in the future.
Over $4,700 was donated in 2009 to Project Upstream. With these funds Project Upstream was able to fully furnish a one bedroom apartment for a young lady who is in the process of recovering from her mental health illness. Without these funds Project Upstream would have been truly hard pressed to accommodate her needs.
In 2010, $5,200 was donated to the Shepherd's of Good Hope in Ottawa. Sadly, homelessness is on the rise in the city. Each day, over 1600 people come through the doors at the Shepherd's of Good Hope. The generosity and caring nature of everyone on Paul Kennedy's team and their supporters assist the staff at the Shepherd's in their task of looking after the poor and impoverished in our community.
In 2011, $11,105 was raised by members and supporters of Paul's Team. $4,528 of this amount was donated to the Shepherd's of Good Hope to continue their work with the homeless. An additional $6,577 was raised for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program. Our team raised $2,159. As a result of a special promotion by Canadian Tire (May 28, 2011 only), the $2,159 was double matched by Canadian Tire ($2,159 x 2 =$4,318 + $2,159 = $6,577). The Jumpstart Program is dedicated to removing barriers, so children can participate in organized sport and recreation. One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enrol their children in sport and recreation activities because of financial barriers (Ipsos Reid, 2009).
In 2012, $6,710 was raised for the Candlelighters by Paul's team. Candlelighters helps support kids with cancer and their families.
In 2013, our cause was a personal one. Paul's 35-year old cousin Mary Archer suffered severe brain damage from a fall while in hospital. The $6,700 donated was used to provide additional therapy (not covered by OHIP) and a wheelchair for Mary.
In 2014, Paul's team donated $6,720 to the Social Services Division of the Ottawa Hospital. Patients and their families encounter costs not covered by OHIP. These expenses include travel, accommodation,hospital parking, food and medication. In some cases the patient/family member may have to take unpaid leave from their job. The Social Services Department of the Ottawa Hospital determine which families are eligible for assistance.
In 2015, $7,200 was raised for the Candlelighters Childhood Support Program. A local not for profit organization, the Candlelighters exists to enhance the lives of children and their families coping with cancer and raise awareness and understanding of the impact childhood cancer has on the child.
In 2016, $7,400 was raised for Jillian O'Connor, a 32 year-old nurse with 3 small children, diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer when pregnant with her 3rd child. She is unable to work and has no sick benefits. Her husband works double shifts to help compensate for the loss of her income.