Bluewater Health Foundation
Bluewater Health FoundationBluewater Health Foundation is grateful for the businesses, organizations, and individuals in Sarnia-Lambton who have provided millions of dollars of financial support to aid in the purchase of equipment and provision of patient, staff and family programs for Bluewater Health since 2003. "We are fortunate in our community, province, and country that healthcare is essentially free, and people are not turned away or charged for care," shares Kathy Alexander, the Foundation's Executive Director. The provincial government supports the day-to-day operation of hospitals in Ontario, but it is hospital foundations that purchase new equipment and fund capital redevelopments.
A registered charity, the Foundation is a separate organization from Bluewater Health. "We raise the money to support the priorities of Bluewater Health. This community raised $46.5 million to build this facility in Sarnia, and they continue to meet the needs of Bluewater Health." In recent years, the foundation has focused on fundraising for new equipment. "Every piece of equipment at Bluewater Health has a shelf life, which is typically seven to ten years. We've purchased some remarkable equipment that helps our physicians and care providers do excellent work in terms of diagnostics, including a new MRI machine and CT scanner." The Foundation recently wrapped up a mammography campaign to purchase state-of-the-art mammography equipment for early detection of breast cancer.
Bluewater Health Foundation is currently partnering with the Mike Weir Foundation, St. Clair Child & Youth, and Canadian Mental Health Association to open Access Open Minds Sarnia-Lambton, a mental health and addictions-focused space for youth. "This type of collaboration is very visionary. Bluewater Health identified mental health as a priority, so we are very excited to be involved." Alexander refers to the Foundation's team as small but mighty. "We are committed to offering top caliber fundraising events in this community. Whether it's our gala with an incredible keynote speaker or our summer block party, we want to provide great opportunities for people to get involved and give back."
This year, Bluewater Health Foundation celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Dream Home Lottery, which has raised more than $8 million dollars for Bluewater Health. "This year we offered our largest prize board to date of over $1 million. We also moved our ticket sales to an online platform which has been really well received and increased the number of tickets sold." Alexander believes the Dream Home Lottery is a success because people know the funds raised remain in our community and they know exactly what it is supporting.
Hearing stories from patients, families, staff, and volunteers is the best part of Alexander's job. "Everyone has a connection to Bluewater Health in our community. Our hospital is the heart of this community, and we are fortunate to have so many incredible nurses, care providers, therapists, and physicians who practice here. The work they do couldn't happen without the support of philanthropy, community events, fundraising, and incredible donors. This community's generosity continues to change and transform lives."
***Photo credit: Cassidy Cooper
Related Stories
Artopia Gallery & Framing
Corinne Schieman started framing over 25 years ago as a part-time job while her four children were young. With her husband’s encouragement, she spent time working alongside individuals in the framing industry and pursuing her love for the arts. After two decades of hard work and dedication, she is n
Miracle Max's Minions
The next time you see a sunflower, think about little Max Rombouts. Max, you see, is the inspiration behind a fabulous fundraising effort in Lambton County with the money raised going to help families affected by childhood cancer. Max was born in May of 2017 and he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute L
Suds Shop Sarnia
It is often said mother is the necessity of invention. That was never truer than a few years ago when Natasha St. Louis decided to go head-to-head with her daughter's skin issues. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, my daughter's hands started to breakdown because of how much handwashing she
Lambton Mutual Insurance Company
In 1875, a group of enterprising Lambton County farmers formed Lambton Mutual Insurance Company. There were very few insurers in Canada at that time, and none of them would insure these farmers, so they banded together and decided that the premiums of many would pay the losses of the few, shar
Related Stories
Petrolia Street Bakery
Emily Core is nothing if not adaptable. The 26-year-old took the bold step of quitting university to become a baker and then when the bakery she was working at closed, she decided to open her own. Now she delightedly owns and operates Petrolia Street Bakery on Petrolia Line. Her bakery opened in 201
Caryl Baker Visage
Caryl Baker Visage has serviced thousands of faces since it opened in Sarnia's Bayside Mall almost forty years ago. The store’s current owner, Jennifer Crawford, has carried on the tradition in her current Lambton Mall location. C...
The Cheese Wedge
The Cheese Store was founded in 2011, then purchased by Kirby and Jason Harris and Pam and Marty Raaymakers in 2013. "It was a good fit for us because we all love food, cheese, and entertaining," shares Kirby. The partners each br...
J.D. Lawn Service
Joe Dawson has been cutting grass since as early as he can remember. What started out as a part-time job throughout school ultimately led to a life's passion. "In 1990 there was an opportunity to purchase a small company that was...