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.