When you spend three days at the hospital every week receiving hours of treatment, being able to access care close to home is especially important. The completion of a long awaited space renovation at the Guelph satellite dialysis unit means this is now the reality for more kidney care patients in the Guelph-Wellington community. Thanks to a generous supporter who left a substantial gift to the Guelph satellite dialysis unit in their will, 18 additional patients can now receive dialysis closer to home.

Loraine Berge is a long-time supporter of Grand River Hospital who knows that donating money isn’t the only way to make a difference. Since retiring nine years ago, Loraine has donated an astounding 2,689 comfort quilts to patients at a number of health care organizations, including Grand River Hospital.

As a supporter for more than 60 years, Loraine first began giving to the hospital at Christmas time when her family decided to stop giving gifts to one another during the holidays. Instead, they opted to donate the money to Grand River Hospital. Her husband, Ray, is also a cancer survivor, so she knows first hand the importance of having exceptional health care available locally and can empathize with the patients she meets at the hospital.

Welcome One to Welcome All is a key value at both Grand River Hospital and the Foundation that relates to diversity, equity and inclusion. It includes, but is not limited to, valuing differences and all perspectives and welcoming and respecting the diversity of our patients, team members and partners. In alignment with Welcome One to Welcome All, Grand River Hospital Foundation has established an Indigenous Careship to help make health care more financially accessible to local Indigenous communities .

On the last weekend in May, friends, families and members of the community came together to be a part of a very special project: planting a garden at Grand River Hospital’s Withdrawal Management Centre in memory of Andy Bruce.

Andy’s generous spirit had a profound impact on the people around him, and he had a strong connection to the Withdrawal Management Centre at Grand River Hospital. It was a place where he often sought support throughout the 15+ years he struggled with alcoholism, and he had come to value the people he met there as mentors and personal friends. He was also known for his kind heart and his affinity for helping others. He would look out for newcomers, taking them to AA meetings, inviting them out socially and keeping in good touch to see how they were doing. During times when he was working and doing well, Andy would visit the Withdrawal Management Centre every pay day to donate clothes and toiletries for patients who needed them.

Experiencing mental illness as a child or youth can be an unsteadying experience, and the care they need extends far beyond the walls of the hospital. Community involvement and connection are important parts of recovery, which is where incredible community-centred programs like Propel come in.

Grand River Hospital’s Propel program connects patients with community organizations where they can build healthy, rewarding relationships, learn new skills and connect with like-minded individuals, all while regaining their confidence and self-esteem. One of Propel’s longest-standing community partners is Conestogo River Horseback Adventures, a local stable that provides the opportunity to be in a fun, safe environment with horses.

2022 marks the seventh year Rich Peers and Team will be running or walking various distances to raise money for Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Since 2016, they have raised an incredible total of over $47,600!

"Supporting our local cancer centre is very important to me," said Rich. "The care, compassion and attention my father received from staff during his final weeks is something I never take for granted."

When we called Kim Cruise of Cambridge to let her know she had won Grand River Hospital Foundation's $10,545 50/50 jackpot, she cried for a few minutes.

"Oh my God. Couldn't have come at a better time," Kim told us. "I play 50/50 because I know it's a win for the hospital. My dad has chronic kidney failure and is in very serious condition, and he has been living with us since my mom passed away two years ago. Dr. Wong is amazing. I have bills. We're going to help our daughter with her PhD in Health Systems.” 

The inaugural Ryan Johnston Family & Friends Endowment Fund Charity Golf Tournament successfully raised over $15,000 to assist young adult cancer patients at Grand River Regional Cancer Center last summer. Funds raised go towards critical care costs like medication, groceries and supplements, as well as iPads and entertainment devices for those with extended stays during their treatment journey. There are still a few golf spots remaining and sponsorship opportunities available for this year's tournament.

Bob Egan, Film and Music Officer, City of Kitchener came together with Rick Endrulat and Cynthia Sundberg from Virtual Causeway and St. David's Stu...

A few years ago, on a trip back to his home country of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Osei connected with some of his friends working in health care and realized just how dire the need for improved health care, most notably cancer care, is in Ghana and surrounding African countries. 

Additional MRI services in Kitchener-Waterloo will have a positive and profound impact on patients and families in our community. The current wait time for an MRI is much too long, with only a single MRI machine serving our local hospitals. With the addition of two more MRI machines, patients will be able to receive their scans much sooner and without the need to travel between hospitals. This will not only improve patient care but also the quality of life for families who are struggling to cope with the long wait times and the uncertainty of awaiting a diagnosis or treatment options.

From July 4th - August 28th, 2022, The Beer Store's retail locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Elmira and New Hamburg are raising money for Grand River Hospital. When you return your empty bottles to one of The Beer Store locations below, you will be supporting Grand River. Customers who would like to make a monetary donation to support the hospital can also do so at these locations.