Category: Show on Front

Thanks to the support of close to 7,600 donors, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital announced that its capital campaign, Together, We Care, has reached the $30 million mark, leaving just $4 million to go.

Donors to the campaign will make three important projects possible: expand the strained Emergency Department to provide more space, including new, private areas to support better mental health and addictions care; upgrade the Special Care Nursery to support the best possible care and comfort for vulnerable newborns, and their parents; and purchase state-of-the art, innovative equipment to provide faster, better and safer diagnosis, infection management, and treatment for patients.

The $30 million is a combination of cash and pledges. More than $10 million in campaign donor funds have been transferred to the hospital already, funding a long list of critically needed equipment that would otherwise not have been possible. The list of equipment includes a CT scanner, mammography machine, centralized cardiac monitoring system, scopes, monitor defibrillators, ventilators, beds, laboratory diagnostic equipment, patient and staff safety items, newborn incubators and warmers, to name just a few.

“I wish I could show our donors the impact of their support, said Marianne Walker, Guelph General Hospital’s President and CEO. “The relief in a woman’s eyes when she learns a lump is benign; the joy a family feels when a premature baby comes home after spending time in our Special Care Nursery; a construction worker back at work after a knee injury is diagnosed and surgically fixed; a grandfather who suffers no lasting effects of a stroke diagnosed quickly by CT scan and treated in our Emergency Department. Examples like this happen every day in our hospital thanks to our talented team and the generous donors who support them.”

Foundation CEO Suzanne Bone notes “In reaching this $30-million milestone, our goal feels within reach, with just $4-million to go. Every donation we receive will make a difference and help us fully fund each important priority. Those interested can visit www.togetherwecare.ca to learn more.”

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital is asking the community to join their I Care social media campaign to help celebrate this incredible milestone. Starting February 9th through February 11th, share on social media a story of a Guelph General Hospital care experience, or share your words of appreciation and gratitude for the team at the Hospital along with the hashtags #TogetherWeCare and #ICareGGH.

Together, with our community’s continued support, Guelph General Hospital can continue to provide the safest and highest quality patient care — for all those we love.

October 06, 2020 – Today Guelph General Hospital is celebrating a remarkable gift of $500,000 from long-time Hospital supporters Vincent and Bruna Barzotti and their family. The gift supports the Hospital’s most urgent and essential needs. In recognition of their generosity, the Hospital’s Mammography Suite will be renamed in their honour.

Vincent and Bruna Barzotti made their first gift to support Guelph General Hospital in 1990 and have been loyal donors ever since, personally and through their company, Barzotti Woodworking. The family business was started more than 50 years ago and is one of Canada’s leading manufacturers of custom cabinetry.

Having been blessed with success, the Barzotti family feels committed to supporting the community. Vincent Barzotti notes, “I am a simple person and, in spite of our success, our lifestyle has remained anything but extravagant. So we are honoured to make this gift to support Guelph General Hospital. Family, friends and employees have been cared for at
the General – it’s an important cause as it is here for everyone in our community.”

The generous donation was welcomed by hospital President and CEO, Marianne Walker. “We are extremely grateful to have such wonderful supporters in our community. Gifts like this enable us to purchase the equipment and technology that helps us save lives and improve health. We are grateful to the Barzotti Family for helping us provide the highest
quality care and experience to our patients.”

“Fundraising and philanthropy make an incredible difference to the care we are able to provide at Guelph General Hospital. Donors fund every piece of patient care equipment we purchase…the tools our caregivers need to provide comfort and caring, healing and curing to our community,” commented Suzanne. “So to say we’re thankful to the Barzottis is an understatement. Their gift is already making and will continue to make a remarkable difference.”

When the time came to raise the most money ever to make important patient-care projects possible at Guelph General Hospital, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital knew nothing short of recruiting a stellar volunteer leadership team would be needed for success. Now, it is thrilled to announce it has done just that.

Leading the largest capital campaign in GGH history are Linda Hasenfratz, Chief Executive Officer of Linamar Corporation, Susan Frasson, President of Wood Development Group, and Rob Wesseling, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Co-operators. Each will take a lead role during a different phase of the campaign.

“We are thrilled to have recruited such a powerhouse team,” says Foundation board chair Paul Osborne. “Our three co-chairs, along with the other members of our Campaign Cabinet, our board and our talented staff, are committed to making these hospital projects possible for our community. Given the generosity of the community we serve, we know we will be successful.”

The campaign, named Together, We Care, is focusing on three areas of the hospital with crucial needs. First, it will expand the Emergency Department and include much-needed, dedicated spaces for mental health and addictions care. Second, it will update aging equipment and purchase innovative technologies to provide quicker, better and safer diagnosis and treatment, improved outcomes and patient comfort. Finally, it will re-imagine and renovate the Special Care Nursery to support the tiniest patients and their families.

The co-chairs are up for the challenge and excited to be involved, says Rob Wesseling. “I believe physical and mental health are cornerstones on which we build a vibrant community and society. I am excited to co-chair this campaign as together, we can ensure our community has the facilities and equipment necessary to meet our health care needs and those of our families, friends and neighbours.”

His thoughts were echoed by co-chair Susan Frasson. “I happily accepted the co-chair role because there is nothing more important than health care. Providing support to Guelph General Hospital will save lives, and improve life. Together, we must care for our hospital so that our hospital can care for us.”

All co-chairs recognized the fundamental role health care has in a healthy community. “I am a big believer that a community lives, works and prospers together,” says Linda Hasenfratz “Many people believe that in Canada our health care is fully funded by our government when in fact the reality is 100% of patient care equipment must be privately funded. If we want top quality modern health care and equipment we need to play a role in providing it.”

The hospital faces pressure on a number of fronts. Caring for the needs of one of the country’s fastest growing communities is one of the most significant “Guelph’s fast-paced growth means clearly, we all need to be thinking about what more the hospital needs to expand to meet the needs of this growing community. After all, a strong community makes our hospital greater, and a great hospital makes our community stronger,” explains Hasenfratz. “That is why I chose to take on the role of co-Chair of this campaign – to support a strong performer
in a growing community where the very best health care is a shared commitment for which we all must take responsibility.”

The campaign will continue to roll out over the next few months.