ATTENTION: Community reporters/editors
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, April 18, 2012 - Each year, volunteers at St. John's Rehab Hospital give over 20,000 hours of their time to rebuilding people's lives. On April 19, hospital staff will show their appreciation to valued volunteers like Rosalind Palmer.

Mrs. Palmer is a familiar face in the halls of St. John's Rehab Hospital. For 45 years, she has seen patients work hard to recover from traumatic injuries and illnesses, but she has also seen their joy when they were ready to return home. For Mrs. Palmer, that was the very reason why she volunteered year after year.

"I get much more back than I give," says Mrs. Palmer. "Volunteers will come here for many different reasons, and when they get here they always find there's worthwhile work to do."

Since 1966, Mrs. Palmer has shown her commitment to the well-being of patients at St. John's Rehab through her constant support of hospital volunteer programs. Her actions truly focus on building a community of support by helping to co-ordinate three of the largest annual Volunteer Association fundraisers for the hospital: the November Noel Bazaar, the Garage Sale and the Garden Party.

On April 19, Mrs. Palmer along with 21 other volunteers will be recognized for their dedicated service at the St. John's Rehab Volunteer Association Annual General Meeting. In celebration of National Volunteer Week from April 15 to 21, St. John's Rehab staff will roll up their sleeves and don their favourite aprons to serve a three-course meal for the annual appreciation dinner to thank the hard working volunteers.

"Each day, volunteers help foster a community of support among our patients, staff, Sisters, physicians and visitors," says Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO at St. John's Rehab Hospital. "The volunteers' nurturing spirit, co-operation and hard work are invaluable contributors to making the hospital a leader in rehabilitation care."

This year St. John's Rehab celebrates 75 years of rebuilding lives. For more than 50 of those years, the Volunteer Association members have made the hospital a vibrant place for support and healing. In the form of reassuring smiles, encouragement and hours dedicated to providing patient services, the 130 volunteers help patients feel comfortable as they embark on their journeys back to life, health and hope.

If you would like to help our patients rebuild their lives, please visit our website at www.stjohnsrehab.com (search under Careers & Volunteers) or phone us at 416-226-6780 ext. 7013.

Event details:

When: Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 6 p.m.

Where: St. John's Rehab Hospital (285 Cummer Ave, North York, Ontario) in Grasett Hall

Who: Joyce Bailey, representing the Board of Directors, St. John's Rehab Hospital
Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO, St. John's Rehab Hospital
David Truman, President, St. John's Rehab Hospital Volunteer Association
Special recognition of 22 Volunteer Association members for outstanding volunteer service
St. John's Rehab Hospital Volunteer Association members
St. John's Rehab Hospital staff who will volunteer their time to serve dinner

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stjohnsrehab.com to get live updates during the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and hear what our staff and patients say about our volunteers.

About St. John's Rehab Hospital
St. John's Rehab Hospital rebuilds people's lives following life-changing illnesses and injuries. A community-affiliated teaching site of the University of Toronto, St. John's Rehab develops research and provides customized care with a focus on the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Home to Canada's only organ transplant rehab program and Ontario's only burn rehab program, St. John's Rehab is moving to the forefront of specialized rehabilitation. For more information, visit www.stjohnsrehab.com.

-30-

For media inquiries:
Audrey Kim
Advisor, Media Relations & Strategic Communications
St. John?s Rehab Hospital
416-226-6780 ext. 7089
akim@stjohnsrehab.com