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The nation-wide electronic signature campaign organized in support of frontline SARS fighters in Canada and Hong Kong was very well received with a total of 4,530 organizations/ individual supporters pledging their support since its launch on May 3. The campaign was officially concluded last Friday (May 16).
For the past two weeks, 275 organizations and 4,255 individuals have pledged their support to the campaign.
With the full support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO), the campaign, entitled "A Tribute to Health Care Professionals - Hong Kong and Canada Fight Against SARS", was organized by the alumni associations of the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Polytechnic University and the Baptist University in Vancouver and Toronto.
Commenting on the encouraging support received, the Director of HKETO, Mrs. Rosanna Ure, said: "We are deeply touched by the overwhelming response and whole-hearted support the campaign has received from individuals and organizations in Canada and Hong Kong. What is more encouraging is that we have received signatures from countries afar, including the United States, England, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Cayman Islands, Austria, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Nigeria in Africa.
"These signatures represent the well wishes of so many individuals and organizations throughout the world.
"The selfless devotion of the healthcare professionals in Hong Kong and Canada involved in the fight of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) truly deserves our appreciation and respect. Without their sacrifice and devotion, we would not have made such good progress in the battle against SARS in Canada and Hong Kong."
Among the 275 organizations which have pledged their support are: Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health in British Columbia, the Progressive Conservative Party, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Mount Sinai Hospital, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Club of Vancouver, Richmond Chamber of Commerce in British Columbia, Hong Kong Canada Business Association, Toronto Board of Trade, Vancouver Board of Trade, Business Council of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the Fraser Institute, the Women's Law Society of Ontario, United Way of Greater Toronto, the Globe and Mail, the Canadian Association of Journalists, and many more. Large corporations such as HSBC (Canada) and Bank of Montreal, which employ thousands of staff, have also expressed their support.
The campaign was also strongly supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Toronto and the Community Coalition Concerned About SARS in Toronto.
The Chinese media in Canada are also giving full support to spread the message throughout the community. They include the Fairchild Media Group, Sing Tao Daily, Ming Pao Daily, Chin Sing Tao Radio and Montreal's Radio Chinoise de L'Amerique du Nord.
End/Wednesday, May 21, 2003
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