At Southlake, children and grandchildren are born, emergencies are managed, lives are saved and health is restored.

We can only perform these miracles with the help of our community. Many Canadians believe governments have sole responsibility for ensuring we all have access to healthcare in this country. The practical reality is governments fund only a portion of hospital needs. As surprising as it may sound, all across Ontario communities contribute to the purchase of mobile x-ray units, blanket warmers, sleeping chairs, ventilators, CADD pumps, even CT scanners. Continuing education for staff and physicians, program expansions and hospital capital projects are also largely supported by
community contributions.  

At Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, we benefit daily from the contributions of many who share a common vision of the highest quality healthcare services for the community. Here are only a few highlights of what we’re working on:

The Whipper Watson therapeutic pool, the only program of its kind in York Region, provides a lifeline to renewed activity for people who are too weak or in too much pain to exercise out of the water. In only 18 months, our community raised almost $1.6 million to renovate and expand the pool, which will re-open late this year. An endowment fund has been established to support the future maintenance of the pool and training for specialized staff. For further information, contact Michele Varela at 905-836-7333 ext. 222.  

Community fundraising events in support of Southlake numbered almost 90 last year and were organized by individuals, family members, friends, businesses, schools and service clubs. Golf tournaments, car washes, craft sales, calendar sales and raffles are only some of the creative and successful initiatives planned and managed by our wonderful community supporters. These events, often a tribute to the memory of someone who has passed away, are an opportunity to give meaning to a very significant life event by recognizing and helping to improve excellent care provided by Southlake. For further information, contact Corinna Jones at 905-836-7333 ext. 230.  

Perhaps one of Southlake’s most exciting projects in recent history is government approval to build a regional cancer centre, featuring advanced treatments with a full range of services including, for the first time in our region, radiation therapy close to home for the more than 1.2 million residents in our catchment area. An ambitious fundraising campaign will launch early next year, entitled; Southlake … Count on Me. Early contributions have already been made including proceeds from the foundation’s three signature events — the Rogers Partners in Health Golf Tournament, the Extraordinary Ladies’ Golf Tournament and the Gala. For further information on the regional cancer centre and the Count on Me campaign, contact Kathryn Henkenhaf, at 905-836-7333 ext. 224.

For information on any of the foundation’s signature events, contact Judy Eliott-Totten at 905-836-7333 ext 221.  

Southlake Regional Health Centre has a distinguished future and we are proud to share in that vision as we raise money for the hospital’s urgent needs.

A final note:  our community and our donors should know that we strive to be efficient and responsible in managing your donations.  Southlake is proud that we spend only 21 cents for every dollar raised, well below the industry standard of 35 cents.