The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) would like to thank Brockville’s Chinese Community for their $6,385 gift that was raised from donations made by the Chinese Community’s families and businesses in support of Brockville General Hospital’s caregivers.

The Chinese Community noted in a shared letter that the raised funds are a token of their appreciation for the hard work and services the doctors, nurses and front line staff provide to the community.

Joan Simon stated, “This generous donation will have an immediate impact on our hospital and will provide them with the resources they need to provide the needed care during this challenging time.”

Pictured presenting the cheque to Joan Simon, Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation are; June Wei, Member of the Brockville Chinese Community Member (left), and Alice Wang, Member of the Brockville Chinese Community (right).

In the fall of 2019, Shoppers Drug Marts in Brockville and Prescott participated in a month-long LOVE YOU “Putting Women’s Health First” campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our community, they raised a total of $12,570 for Brockville General Hospital’s (BGH) Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Shoppers Drug Mart raised these funds by holding in-house bake sales, and by selling in-store icons, including a leaf for $1, a butterfly for $5, an apple for $10 or a bird for $50.

“Shoppers Drug Mart is committed to empowering women to make their health a priority,” Joan Simon, Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation explained. “Reports show that for women over the age of 55 in Canada, heart disease is the number one cause of death. With the Shoppers Drug Marts’ campaign, 100% of the funds raised support BGH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.”

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program supports individuals at high risk for or recovering from acute cardiac events including heart attack, cardiac surgery, cardiac angioplasty or stenting. Personalized plans that include diet, exercise and stress management support people to reach their highest potential quality of life following their cardiac event and help people make life style changes to reduce risk factors.  

Shoppers Drug Marts in Brockville and Prescott have been generous supporters’ of BGH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for the past five years.

Pictured here in BGH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program are, front row: Heather Halladay, Board Chair for the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation; Helen Ostap, RN with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program; seated, Brenda Gallant, assistant floor manager, 1000 Islands Mall Shoppers Drug Mart and Michaela McNeill, front store manager, Prescott Shoppers Drug Mart. Back row: Brent Kerr, front store manager, 1000 Islands Mall Shopper Drug Mart, Carolyn Burpee, Pharmacist Owner, Shoppers Drug Mart (Brockville and Prescott locations); Janice Woollcombe, front store manager, King Street Shopper Drug Mart, and Travis Coughlin, Kinesiologist with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Over the past 13 years, the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation’s many community supporters, donors, and those who just want to chat, have always found a warm welcome, with maybe some homemade chocolate chip cookies or two; when they come to visit.

Friday, January 3rd was no exception. Following an “Under One Roof” campaign photo-op with George Tackaberry, and his son, Kevin; Mary Jean McFall, campaign co-chair, and her charming granddaughter, Charlotte, took some time to visit, share some local stories and a few laughs. 

Pictured, sharing a laugh and some chocolate chip cookies are, Kevin Tackaberry, Mary Jean McFall holding her granddaughter Charlotte, and George Tackaberry.

The organizers of the Golfing for Maternal Care Golf Tournament, that fundraised and supported Brockville General Hospital’s Women & Children’s Program, have made the decision to discontinue the tournament in support of BGH.

The Hare Family, and their small army of volunteers, ran the tournament in support of BGH’s Women & Children’s Program for six-years having fundraised over $112,900 that purchase needed equipment items such as: fetal heart monitors, bassinets, sleeper chairs and a digital display Doppler. 

On January 21st, several of the tournament organizers were on hand to present a final cheque that purchased a Bilirubin phototherapy light system for BGH’s Women & Children’s Program. The phototherapy light system lowers the bilirubin levels in the baby’s blood that causes a newborn to be jaundiced.

Joan Simon, Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation stated, “This event has been very successful. The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) is extremely grateful to have had this event on board for the last 6 years. But as we know, events often have a beginning and an end cycle due to a variety of factors. The BDHF would like to take this opportunity to bid a fond farewell and express sincerest thanks to the dedicated group of volunteers of the Maternal Care Golf Tournament.”

Pictured here are: Forefront: Pearl Hare, daughter of Kristin Hare. 2nd row (l-r): Ellen Gleason, RN, Women and Children’s Program, BGH; Carole Hare, event organizer; Dr. Harvinder Chawla and Jen Brouwer, RN, Women and Children’s Program, BGH. 3rd row (l-r): Kristina Swank, RN, Women and Children’s Program, BGH; Krista Hare, event committee member; Tom Hare, event organizer; Kristin Hare, event committee member with son Chase Hare; Heather Halladay, Board Chair for the BDHF and Kellie Kitchen, Director of Professional Practice & Women & Children’s Programs, BGH.

Following the stillborn birth of her daughter in 2017, Lesley Patry-Kerford attended a Butterfly Run in Ottawa. This event also inspired her give back to her local community and to raise awareness of the supports available for families who experience the loss of a baby.

While researching the various supports, Lesley stumbled on a medical device called a “cuddle cot.” Cuddle cots are widely used in many clinical settings and provides an in-room cooling system that allows families the opportunity for more time with their baby.

“Any family who suffers a loss wishes for just a few more minutes; time that they will never be able to have again,” says Patry-Kerford. “The cuddle cot provides families with this precious gift of time.”

When she saw this device, and the impact that it had on other families who had just lost a child, she knew that she wanted to raise funds that would equip Brockville General Hospital with this invaluable support resource.

Joan Simon, Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) stated, “Lesley’s commitment to helping other parents begin their healing process is to be commended. Organizing a fundraiser to purchase the cuddle cot clearly demonstrates her compassion for others within our community.”

In October of 2019, Patry-Kerford and her organizing team also held a Wave of Light event that raised funds for memory boxes for BGH’s Women & Children’s Program. Plans are also in the works for a Butterfly Run in October 2020.

Pictured here are: Lesley Patry-Kerford, organizer of Brockville’s 2018 Butterfly Run, joins Kellie Kitchen, Director of Women and Children’s Program, and Professional Practice at BGH (left) and Linda Hansen, Director, Brockville and District Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors (right) to unveil a cuddle cot purchased through the Butterfly Run. The cot will be used in BGH’s Women and Children’s Program to allow parents and families more time following the stillbirth of a child.

The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) is extremely grateful to Dr. Steve and Dina Angel Zajacz’s $1,000,000 gift towards a new CT scanner at Brockville General Hospital (BGH). This donation will be used to update BGH’s current aging equipment.

“Dr. Zajacz (“Dr. Z” as he is known to many of his friends and patients), and his wife Dina, are to be applauded for their commitment to BGH and our community,” notes Joan Simon, Executive Director of the BDHF. “We are humbled beyond words by their generous donation.”

Dr. Zajacz, and his wife Dina, understand the ongoing needs of health care. Their hope is that their donation will raise awareness and encourage other donors to support our community hospital. Many people are unaware that governments do not directly support the purchasing of medical equipment -- donors do. Donations, such as the Zajacz’s, ensure that BGH has the best equipment.

When asked why they chose to make such a generous gift, they noted, “This community has been very good to us, and we feel that this donation is our way of giving back”.

“CT scans are critical to providing care in a hospital. They show more details than a regular X-ray and by using 3D technology, allows our medical staff to clearly examine organs, bones, and other tissues,” says Nick Vlacholias, President and CEO at BGH. “Investing in new equipment means physicians will have comprehensive results, faster, to help them diagnose and treat their patients. This translates into better quality patient care, right here in our community.” “Thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Zajacz!”

The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) would like to thank Dr. Kim and Linda Hansen for their extremely generous donation to the “Under One Roof” Campaign in support of the Brockville General Hospital’s Phase II Redevelopment Project. This donation is a part of the recent announcement $20.6 million raised for the campaign. The purpose of this project is to amalgamate the services of the Brockville General Hospital presently provided at both the Charles Street and Garden Street sites “Under One Roof”. The project’s completion is slated for the fall of 2020.

Pictured here are: (l-r) Dr. Kim Hansen, Heather Halladay, Board Chair (BDHF), Linda Hansen, Board Director (BDHF) and David Beatty, Campaign Co-Chair. The medical equipment needs are ongoing for the Brockville General Hospital.

The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) would like to thank The Riverside GM Auto Group (Stephen & Stuart Birnie & Ted MacMillan) and their employees for their extremely generous donation to the “Under One Roof” Campaign in support of the Brockville General Hospital’s Phase II Redevelopment Project. This donation is a part of the recently announcement $20.6 million raised for the campaign. The purpose of this project is to amalgamate the services of the Brockville General Hospital presently provided at both the Charles Street and Garden Street sites “Under One Roof”. The project’s completion is slated for the fall of 2020.

Pictured here are: (l-r) Stuart Birnie, David Beatty, Campaign Co-Chair; Stephen Birnie, Joan Simon Executive Director (BDHF) and Ted MacMillan.

November 1st, 2019 marks day one of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation’s (BHDF) Annual Appeal. This year, the BDHF needs to raise $250,000 to purchase three new ultra sound machines for Brockville General Hospital’s (BGH) Diagnostic Imaging Department.

Just like our home electronics, ongoing advances in technology require regular updates to medical equipment. At BGH, there are currently four operational ultrasound machines ranging from 7-16 years old. Updating these ultrasound machines will provide better and safer outcomes for patients in our community.

Dr. Tyler and Dr. Hynd share why the ultrasound upgrade is so important:

The most important part of updating our ultrasound equipment is the newer technology that allows us to see the tissues much clearer. This means we will see cancers and other pathology in more detail and at smaller sizes. It also makes procedures easier, safer and expands the range of procedures we can provide.”

Dr. Kevin Tyler, Radiologist

“As a cardiologist I rely closely on echocardiograms to diagnose and help patients within our community. A new ultrasound machine at BGH will deliver higher quality test results, faster.  Through your generous donation, you will help provide improved care to cardiac patients, now and into the future.”

Dr. Jamie Hynd, Cardiologist

The Foundation’s Annual Appeal will run until December 31, 2019. Anyone wishing to support this year’s Annual Appeal can do so by any of the following methods;

• Online donations can be made at www.bdhfoundation.com
• Or, by Calling the foundation’s direct line at: 613-345-4478
• Or, by mailing a personal cheque to: The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation, 75 Charles Street, Brockville, ON K6V 1S8 (Please note in the memo line that your donation is for the Annual Appeal).

Pictured with one of BGH’s current ultrasound machine are, Behrooz Izadi, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging; Dr. Kevin Tyler, Radiologist; and Dr. Jamie Hynd, Cardiologist.