International hero touches down in London for St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner

From international hero and serving as the inspiration behind a Hollywood movie to being the featured guest speaker at St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation’s largest fundraising event, Ambassador ‘Sully’ Sullenberger will take the stage at RBC Place London on Friday, October 20 for Tribute Dinner 2023.

In 2009, Ambassador Sullenberger captured international headlines when he safely guided a US Airways jetliner to an emergency landing on the frigid Hudson River in 208 seconds, saving all 155 passengers and crew on board. Sullenberger will share his story of dedication, hope and preparedness, revealing the important lessons he learned in life, in his military service and as an airline pilot.

As part of the evening’s theme of ‘Celebrating Community Heroism – 20 years or 208 seconds’, St. Joseph’s will pay tribute to Kim and Paul Spriet for their 20-year commitment to the work of St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute. For two decades, Kim spearheaded the successful Run for Retina Research event, raising more than $650,000. 

Proceeds from the event will support care, teaching and research at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

“We are so pleased to be back in person and celebrating local heroes and philanthropists Kim and Paul Spriet for their dedication and commitment to the care provided at St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute,” says Michelle Campbell, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. “Sully’s lived experience and the remarkable story of the Miracle on the Hudson exemplifies the values of community heroism that Tribute has historically honoured.”

6:40 pm - Opening Remarks
6:53 pm - Tribute to Kim and Paul Spriet
8:20 pm - Welcome and introduction of Ambassador Sully Sullenberger

Please note – Ambassador Sullenberger’s media availability is limited. The media can attend Sullenberger’s presentation and record the first three minutes for b-roll footage only. There will be no other recording permitted. Still photos are permitted for the first five to ten minutes of his presentation only.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation.

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For more information:
Teresinha Medeiros
Marketing and Communications Officer
519 646-6100 ext. 65449

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation gathers, grows and grants philanthropic funds to enable St. Joseph’s Health Care London to pursue excellence in care, teaching and research. Through donor support, the foundation contributes to advances in the delivery of patient care, specialized equipment, research initiatives and capital funds at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Parkwood Institute, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care and Lawson Health Research Institute. As one of the largest charitable organizations in Southwestern Ontario, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation is an accredited member of Imagine Canada’s Ethical Trustmark Program, which recognizes the foundation’s commitment to ethical fundraising and donor accountability.