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May 6, 2025
The Stratford General Hospital Foundation is proud to announce that its most ambitious fundraising effort to date—the In Our Hands Capital Campaign—has officially surpassed its $30 million goal, thanks to the remarkable generosity of our community.
Launched in the quiet phase in 2015 and publicly announced in 2022, the campaign has raised a total of $31,428,674.40 in cash and pledges.
This milestone marks a transformative moment in local healthcare, with funds raised supporting a wide range of critical priorities—from the creation of a new Cancer and Medical Care Clinic with a co-located Pharmacy, to the purchase of essential medical equipment and investments in staff training.
“The Foundation launched this campaign with a vision to build a healthier future—one where the latest tools, technologies, and spaces are available right here at home,” says Cheryl Hunt, Executive Director of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation. “Surpassing our $30 million goal is a testament to what our community can achieve together.”
The Role of Philanthropy in Healthcare
The Stratford General Hospital site of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) is fortunate to receive strong operational support from the Province of Ontario. However, provincial funding does not cover the cost of new and replacement medical equipment, vital infrastructure upgrades, or many of the innovations that enhance patient care.
That’s where community support becomes essential. The In Our Hands Capital Campaign was launched to bridge this funding gap, ensuring that care teams have the tools, spaces, and training they need to continue delivering exceptional care.
Campaign investment priorities included:
Cancer and Medical Care Clinic with co-located Pharmacy
New and replacement medical equipment
Laboratory improvements
Transformation initiatives for Mental Health/Dementia Care
Staff training
“These investments are already making a tangible difference for patients and care teams across the hospital,” says Andrew Williams, President & CEO, HPHA. “From state-of-the-art equipment to thoughtfully designed spaces, this campaign has enhanced access and helped us continue to deliver safe, efficient, and compassionate care.”
A Community-Wide Effort
Support poured in from across the region, with thousands of individuals, families, businesses, service clubs, HPHA team members, and local municipalities stepping forward to give. In total, more than 27,000 gifts were made by over 7,500 donors.
Among the many highlights of the campaign were two transformational gifts of $5 million—the largest of the campaign—from the Van Nes family, in memory of Jack and Teresa Van Nes, and from the City of Stratford. These extraordinary contributions reflect a shared commitment to strengthening local healthcare for the benefit of the entire community.
“This campaign was about more than just hitting a target—it was about investing in our future,” says Rick Orr, Campaign Co-Chair. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, shared their story, or encouraged others to support our hospital.”
With construction of the new Cancer and Medical Care Clinic complete, and improvements underway across multiple departments, patients are already feeling the lasting impact of this historic campaign.
Looking Ahead
While the $30 million goal has been exceeded, the Foundation emphasizes that continued community support will always be essential as healthcare needs evolve.
“We are celebrating today—but we’re also looking forward,” adds Paul Roulston, Campaign Co-Chair. “Because of this community’s generosity, we’ve built something incredible together. And with your continued support, we’ll keep moving healthcare forward.”
The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to every donor who made this milestone possible. This success belongs to the entire community—because when healthcare is In Our Hands, anything is possible.
“We think of our Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) - Stratford General Hospital like an insurance policy. We know we need the policy, but we hope we never need to use it! Life has been good to our family and the Stratford General Hospital Foundation’s In Our Hands Capital Campaign is the perfect way for us to give back to the community while ensuring we can receive the best quality care close to home, if ever needed. This has also been an opportunity for us to teach our grandchildren about giving and helping others.”
~ Richard & Maxine Cook & Family
While our partner, the Province of Ontario, pays for certain aspects of healthcare, it does not cover the cost of purchasing new and replacement medical equipment and technology that keep us on the leading edge of care. And when it comes to projects like building our new Cancer & Medical Care Clinic, with co-located Pharmacy, only a small percentage is funded.
Because of this funding gap we rely on the generosity of community members, like the Cook Family, to help keep the latest tools and technologies in the hands of the healthcare professionals at HPHA - Stratford General Hospital so that they can continue to provide exceptional care.
Our $30 Million In Our Hands Capital Campaign, our most ambitious campaign to date, represents a collective effort to build a healthier future for our community.
Key investment priorities include:
New Cancer & Medical Care Clinic with co-located Pharmacy
New & Replacement Medical Equipment
Lab Improvements
Transformation Initiatives (Such as Mental Health Technology)
Staff Training & Education
Redevelopment of Communication Stations in Patient Care Units
“The In Our Hands Capital Campaign is about providing the highest level of care possible here for the people of Stratford and area. It helps with the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals as people want to work in the best environment possible.”
~ Paul Roulston, In Our Hands Capital Campaign Co-chair
“What people don’t realize is that the government pays for some of the bricks and mortar and operations. They don’t pay for any of the equipment in the building, so all the beds, the MRI, the CT Scanner, none of that is funded by the government. It’s all paid for by you and me and our generous community.”
~ Rick Orr, In Our Hands Capital Campaign Co-chair
“Cancer can affect anyone. It doesn’t care who you are or what you think; whether you’re rich or poor, male or female, whether you take care of yourself or not,” says Dr. Janis MacNaughton, an Internal Medicine Specialist at the HPHA - Stratford General Hospital site.
“Our current Chemotherapy space is very crowded. We don’t have adequate rooms to discuss things where others can’t overhear it. There’s no privacy or confidentiality,” notes Dr. MacNaughton. “And the confined space is a very difficult environment in which to work. Typically our chairs are filled with reclining patients…and there are pumps, IVs and monitors to constantly work around. At times, it’s so crowded that staff are forced to ask patient support persons to temporarily leave - a decision that’s made reluctantly, but out of necessity. Not only are numbers of patients steadily growing, but so is the complexity of treatment regimens.”
Dr. Janis MacNaughton
The New Cancer & Medical Care Clinic will be bright with natural light and increased space to care for more patients close to home.
Clinic Highlights:
Jack and Teresa Van Nes were local farmers who cared about their community. They actively supported many local organizations focused on building a better future for everyone. They understood the importance of giving, especially to their local hospital, knowing there was no government funding for new and replacement medical equipment. Jack and Teresa wanted to invest in the healthcare system, strengthening it not only for themselves but for the entire community.
Your investment helps guarantee the highest quality of care, close to home, both now and for future generations.
You may consider:
We are dedicated to working closely with our Major Gift Donors to identify a recognition journey that is personal and meaningful. We offer recognition options based on the following donor giving levels:
Transformational Gift Society
$1,000,000+
Visionary Society
$500,000 - $999,999
Builder's Society
$200,000 - $499,000
Major Benefactors
$100,000 - $199,999
Benefactors
$50,000 - $99,999
Patrons
$10,000 - $49,999
Supporters
$5,000 - $9,999
Together, we have the power to transform lives and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our community. We are here to support you in your donor journey. Please reach out.
519-272-8210 extension 2626
46 General Hospital Dr, Stratford, ON N5A 2Y6 (West Building Annex - Corner of John & West Gore St.)
Every donation makes a difference and will bring us closer to reaching our $30 Million In Our Hands Capital Campaign goal.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our donors!
