Letter to the Community
By: Tobi Day-Hamilton, WRHN Foundation Board Chair
Healthcare in Waterloo Region: Supporting today’s needs and building for the future
Our community is growing fast – and the need for advanced and accessible healthcare close to home is growing with it. That’s why Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is planning and building a new hospital that will transform care for generations to come.
While we’re making strides in planning this momentous step for local healthcare, we want you to know that we have not actively begun fundraising for the new hospital in our community.
Some of you have recently told us about canvassers in local neighbourhoods asking for donations toward a “new hospital.” These canvassers are from outside the region and not connected to WRHN or WRHN Foundation.
Waterloo Region’s new hospital is a long-term project – and a massive investment that will require the support and generosity of the people who live here. The construction of the new hospital will be the largest healthcare project our region has ever seen. And, when the time comes, we’ll invite you to be part of building this generational opportunity – from the ground up.
Until then, we encourage you to support care that’s happening right now, right here at home.
When Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital came together this April to become WRHN, we did so to better serve our region and address both the pressing needs of today and the anticipated needs of tomorrow. We must ensure we can support our community’s current needs with innovative, patient-centred care at all three of our sites – Midtown (formerly Grand River), Queen’s Blvd. (formerly St. Mary’s), and Chicopee (formerly Grand River-Freeport) – before our new hospital is built.
To do that, we do need your support.
From specialized beds in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that keep our tiniest patients safe and warm, to diagnostic machines, including MRIs, X-rays and CT Scanners, that allow doctors to uncover and treat health issues faster, each piece of equipment serves an essential purpose. Government funding doesn’t cover the cost of new and replacement medical equipment. So, each donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference in the care doctors, nurses, lab technicians and our entire team can provide to your family, friends, loved ones, and neighbours.
If you do choose to support WRHN Foundation – by giving, volunteering, or joining us at events like our upcomingHike for Health– know that your gift stays here, directly helping patients and families across our communities.
We know that the people of Waterloo Region care deeply about local healthcare. You’ve always been willing to step up to help a neighbour in need. At WRHN and WRHN Foundation, we’re grateful for the generosity and support you continue to provide.
When we work together, we know we can build a lasting legacy of care – and a health network that reflects the needs of our community.
Tobi Day-Hamilton
WRHN Foundation Board Chair