October 24 , 2006 -- Once again the Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation would like to warn our community about a telemarketing scam operating in the Sudbury area.  A company which calls itself "Healing Hands Busy Book" has begun phoning and mailing small businesses in our area claiming to be affiliated with the Hôpital regional de Sudbury Regional Hospital or the Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation.  This is completely false: this company is in no way associated with the Foundation.  The company has been operating this same scam in our area for several years.

DPS Activity Publishing, Ltd, which does business under the name "Healing Hands Busy Book", is for-profit company operating out of Alberta.  They are not a charity and do not have charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency.  They solicit small businesses asking them for financial support through sponsorship of an activity book.  They claim the books will reach sick children in area hospitals.  The company has already been banned by the Federal Trade Commission from operating in the United States.

"Healing Hands Busy Books is in no way associated with the Hospital or the Foundation," sates Foundation Chair Joe Drago, "this is a company preying on your emotions by saying they are helping kids.  The fact is that the USA ruled that this company was in violation of American law by making the claims they are making in our community.  I do not know why Canadian law has not moved to stop them here."

Mr. Drago goes on to state, "There is no need for local businesses to send money to Alberta so that we can provide activity books.  If you want to help children in the Hospital please make a donation to the Foundation so that we can buy medical equipment to help save their lives and if you feel that activity books are necessary we encourage you to bring them directly to the Paediatric Unit - don't send your money out of Sudbury thinking you are helping our children."  Mr Drago also noted that last year the Foundation supplied a large number of activity books to the HRSRH Paediatrics Unit which were donated by Bell Canada.

Legitimate donations to help the children in our Regional Hospital can be made by contacting the Foundation and making a donation to the Paediatrics Unit.