- Posted on November 15, 2024
A letter from Susan Dusick on National Philanthropy Day
Dear St. Mary’s supporters,
As President & CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, I’m always excited when National Philanthropy Day rolls around each Nov. 15.
What better opportunity to share how proud I am of the way our community members continually band together to improve local healthcare by supporting St. Mary’s?
National Philanthropy Day is a chance to share my gratitude with you. This year, in honour of the hospital’s 100th anniversary, I’m pleased to offer you something more than my own words.
Starting tonight at 8 p.m. ET, you can watch “Heart of Care,” an original documentary that tells the 100-year-old story of St. Mary’s General Hospital while focusing on its innovative, person-centred approach to care.
Some of you may have already seen this moving film, which debuted at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum last month as part of the “Beyond the Bricks,” exhibit.
If you’ve already seen it, I encourage you to watch it again. I can tell you that each time I press play on this 23-minute-long emotional piece I notice something new. And I swell with gratitude and pride all over again.
“Heart of Care” delicately weaves in real patient and staff stories with St. Mary’s history. It depicts how St. Mary’s has been on the forefront of medical innovation and expertise, and, through authentic community voices, portrays the over-arching theme of compassionate, person-focused care that has defined us for a century.
A hundred years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph supplied $350,000 to build the hospital in 1924. When more was required, our community rallied together to raise an additional $150,000.
A century later, donor investment continues to play a pivotal role in local healthcare, funding 100 per cent of the cost of new and replacement hospital equipment.
Releasing “Heart of Care” online on National Philanthropy Day is our nod to the generosity of donors who have invested in St. Mary’s for a century, and those who continue to make their mark on the future of care.
National Philanthropy Day offers us a chance to reflect on what we have built together and reminds us of what we can accomplish moving forward.
So, grab your tissues, gather your loved ones, and watch “Heart of Care” tonight at smgh100.ca or on YouTube.
And if it moves you the way it moved me, I ask you to consider a gift to St. Mary’s (you can browse our holiday Wish Book to understand our current funding needs).
Wishing you a happy and reflective National Philanthropy Day.
With gratitude,
Susan Dusick
President & CEO, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation
President & CEO, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation
St. Mary's is back with its Wish Book once more. A thoughful catalogue dropped at your door.
Browse through and see your community's needs. And how you can help with a very good deed.
