Dear Friends,
It has been a pretty incredible fall with temperate and sunny days framing extended outdoor activities. Whether you are riding, pickle balling (yup), golfing (check), hiking (always), strolling, running, relaxing (soon enough!), gardening (getting around to it), paddling (always), getting used to school routines or toggling between soccer and hockey pick-ups, fall is a busy, non-stop time for everyone.
Philanthropy doesn’t stop either. Despite the markets, economic and social instability and the general challenges of managing through COVID, our donor community continues to support North York General in many different forms.
Let’s have a peek at just some of the activities of the last few months.
New Look for the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Orthopaedic & Plastics Centre
Made possible by a gift in 2006 from Mr. and Mrs. Nanji, the Centre now sees more than 26,000 patients annually. The Centre was due for an update! The Nanji Family Foundation is ensuring we can continue to offer the best in orthopaedic care in the right facilities by providing the lead funding for this refresh. Opening in 2023, we will be keen to get a matching photo!
Looking good and doing good
Put on hold for two years because of our least favourite #19, our signature event returned on September 17th, again presented by BMO. Heart of Fashion is renowned for its incredible food, outstanding entertainment, and legendary fashion show. Energy was abundant, with proceeds supporting the expansion of the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency. Together we raised $1.1 million and we can’t wait for 2024! We couldn’t have done it without our line-up of incredible sponsors, guests, and donors. Check out the event photos here.
Getting our legs out for NYGH with
We were blown away by the participation and support for Rally in the Ravine, presented by Concord, which took place on October 1st in the back gardens of our hospital and the surrounding trails. Yours truly managed to relive her past running career and ran the 5k on bad knees.
Our #NorthYorkGeneralStrong community was out in full force, with over 650 registrants and $300,000 raised, helped by the Nanji Family Foundation match. This was the most money we’ve raised for Rally! Funds will support child and youth mental health and orthopaedic care. Check out the event photos here.
Rally is known for friendly competition among our staff. The top three hospital teams were:
#1: Team Fam Jam (family medicine)
#2: Radiology Runners (medical imaging)
#3: Need for S-paed (paediatrics)
Team Maddie Project takes home the title of top team overall, raising an incredible $65,000! We are truly grateful to team captain Robert Agouri, and Maddie Project Founder and Foundation Board Chair Nicole German, who were also our top two fundraisers.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support our hospital, as well as our sponsors, donors, and volunteers.
A1 Radio is #1 with North York General
In August, we once again partnered with A1 Chinese Radio AM 1540 for a Radiothon, raising close to $150,000 for our new Seniors’ Care Home. The event featured interviews with NYGH staff, patients and families, and continued with the A1 Chinese Radio Annual Summer concert. I was thrilled (ok, super nervous) to appear on their YouTube channel to talk about seniors care and why we need a new residence. We are so grateful for the support from the station, the DJs, volunteers, our sponsors, and the many members of the Chinese community who donated.
Announcing our new Birthing Centre — after 54 years, we need an update!
Every year, close to 5,000 babies are welcomed into the world at our hospital, making North York General one of the busiest single site birthing centres in Ontario. Often times in meetings or social settings, I feel like I’m the only one who didn’t deliver at NYGH or who wasn’t born here!
Our Labour & Delivery and Post Partum Units are known for providing compassion and care. But to be honest, most of the space hasn’t been updated since the hospital first opened more than 50 years ago (and doesn’t every new parent want a private room?). Our vision will transform these units into a singular integrated Birthing Centre to enhance the patient, family, and birthing experience.
The Birthing Centre reflects our deep commitment to the diverse and complex needs of our patients and their families. Our unique program has a third of our babies delivered by midwives, a next third delivered by family doctors and a third delivered by an obstetrician. A pretty incredible choice for our patients, which has only fueled our desire to provide the space every new parent and baby deserves. Fundraising for this critical project is underway, so please connect with me if you or your organization would like to discuss in further detail. There are lots of great ways to support and a variety of donor naming opportunities.
By its nature, health care doesn’t rest. The pressure is relentless with both providers and patients doing their best to navigate in very challenging circumstances. I wanted to close by asking for patience and understanding should you or a loved one need to use our hospital or any other in the city. The wait times are likely longer than you anticipated but the staff and physicians are the same skilled and talented professionals that you’ve come to expect at North York General.
With my utmost gratitude for your support,
Terry Pursell
President & CEO
North York General Foundation
P.S. Holiday cards that kick it up a notch
Before long, we will be turning our attention to the holiday season. This year, we are helping to spread some festive cheer with a new Holiday Cards Program. By mixing tradition with technology, we’ve created a perfect platform to honour your family, friends, staff, or clients through a gift to NYGH. Make a donation and we’ll help you craft the perfect digital, printed or video holiday card to share with your network. Click here to learn more about this program.
