Kids eat FREE for PRHC at Boston Pizza South this September

This September, families can enjoy a little extra fun while supporting exceptional healthcare close to home. Throughout September, Boston Pizza South in Peterborough is inviting families to take part in its Kids Card promotion. For a $5 donation, you’ll receive a Kids Card loaded with 5 FREE kids meals to enjoy after September.

Even better, when you purchase your Kids Card for pickup at Boston Pizza South at 821 Rye St., 100% of the funds raised will be donated to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation. That means your $5 donation can help treat the kids to five savoury meals while also benefitting other families from across our region, because donations raised for the PRHC Foundation help fund the state-of-the-art equipment and technology that PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff need to continue providing world-class care.

There’s even more family fun happening at Boston Pizza South this September! On Wednesday, September 2 from 5pm-7pm, families are invited to their Back to School Bash. Kids can enjoy face painting, balloons, glitter tattoos, a chalk station and the chance to decorate their own pencil case while supplies last. The PRHC Foundation team will also be on site and we’d love to see you there.

It’s a fun way to kick off the school year, enjoy time together as a family and support healthcare close to home. Just remember, only Kids Cards purchased for pickup at Boston Pizza South at 821 Rye St. will have the proceeds donated to the PRHC Foundation.

Ready to make September a little more delicious while giving back to our community? Visit the Boston Pizza website to order your Kids Card and see complete terms and restrictions.

The Speak Easy Cafe is serving up support for patient care

We’re grateful to The Speak Easy Cafe for finding a delicious way to support patient care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre!

Located on George St. in downtown Peterborough, The Speak Easy has added the PRHC Heartbeat Omelette to its menu. You can build your own with your favourite ingredients and there’s something extra special about it: $3 from every omelette sold will be donated to the PRHC Foundation to benefit the Campaign for PRHC. It’s a very tasty way to enjoy a great meal while giving back to our regional hospital and the patients and families who rely on it!

The support, community spirit and awareness created through local businesses like The Speak Easy Cafe are such an important part of our collective efforts to transform healthcare in our region. We can’t do it without you.

Local artisans team up to support PRHC Foundation

Two talented local makers, Asta Johnston Pyrography and Christine’s Creations, have partnered to support PRHC Foundation with a special fundraiser that combines creativity with community impact. Through this ongoing initiative, 50% of every sale will be donated to PRHC Foundation, helping support expert, compassionate cancer care close to home.

Supporters can purchase a handmade dog scrunchie bandana and a custom wooden ribbon together for $20 or choose either item individually for $10 each.

Each wooden ribbon is handcrafted and fully customizable. Buyers can choose the cancer awareness ribbon they would like, add a name or meaningful date, and select whether they would like it made as a keychain, ornament, or bookmark. These personalized keepsakes make thoughtful gifts or meaningful tributes to honour loved ones and raise awareness.

At this time, orders are cash only and available for pickup in Lakefield. To place an order, message Asta Johnston Pyrography on Facebook or send her an email.

Thank you to Asta Johnston Pyrography and Christine’s Creations for supporting PRHC Foundation and helping make a difference for PRHC patients and their loved ones from across our region!

Three cheers for PRHC

Because of the incredible generosity of our donors and the unwavering dedication of PRHC’s healthcare teams and leadership, the hospital continues to be recognized as a thriving workplace where patients receive exceptional care.

Continue reading

Healthy Fresh Charlotte Pantry is giving back

Great things happen when local businesses and community members come together with a shared purpose.

PRHC Foundation is grateful to welcome Healthy Fresh Charlotte Pantry as a new community partner supporting exceptional patient care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Through this ongoing partnership, owner Saji is donating 1% of sales to PRHC Foundation, helping ensure patients from across our region have access to exceptional care, close to home.

Visitors to the 348 Charlotte St. storefront in Peterborough can browse an ever-growing selection of bakery treats, snacks and fresh produce, including hydroponic and organic greens grown in partnership with SMG Aquaponics Corp. from Curve Lake First Nation. And for those with a sweet tooth, the store’s new ice cream parlour serves up delicious scoops from Central Smith.

Every purchase made at Healthy Fresh Charlotte Pantry helps make a difference for patients and families who rely on care at PRHC. It’s a simple way to support local businesses, enjoy fresh food and invest in the health of our region all at the same time.

Thank you, Healthy Fresh Charlotte Pantry, for growing something truly special. 

Hitting all the right notes as Pay to Play radiothon raises $17,515 for PRHC

The Hustle and Heart Oldies 96.7 (now 96.7 WOW FM) Pay to Play radiothon, presented by Home Instead, hit all the right notes this year, raising $17,515 in support of patient care at PRHC.

On Friday, June 5, the airwaves were filled with more than just classic hits, favourite themes and personal anthems. Every song request, dedication and inspiring patient story reminded us what makes our community so special: people coming together to make a real difference for each other.

As part of the Campaign for PRHC, the radiothon was a true team effort. 96.7 host Bill Porter kept the music and the momentum going all day long, while the MBC team, generous sponsors, grateful patients, dedicated fundraisers, PRHC leadership, physicians, nurses, staff, Foundation supporters and music lovers across the region all played an important role in making the radiothon a success.

We’re grateful to presenting sponsor, Home Instead, for helping bring this event to life and to our outstanding hourly sponsors: the Santos Auto Group, including Mercedes-Benz Peterborough, Port Hope Volkswagen, Port Hope Chrysler and Port Hope Hyundai, The Wilson Team-Real Estate, Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory, Whelans Flooring Centre and Suzi HomeMaker Ptbo.

A big thank you to everyone who donated, requested a song, shared a personal story or made a special dedication. Together, you’re helping fund state-of-the-art equipment, bring lifesaving new services to our region, fuel innovation and attract the talented healthcare professionals our community depends on. That’s music to all our ears!

Festival Chair Michelle Thornton reflects on 25 years of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival

For 25 years, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has united the community in a powerful show of support for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Thanks to the dedication of the Festival Organizing Committee, host team Survivors Abreast, and so many participating paddlers, volunteers, sponsors and donors, the Festival has raised more than $4.9 million in donations to the PRHC Foundation—helping fund vital equipment and technology that keeps cancer care close to home.

Now, as the Festival prepares to celebrate its silver anniversary on Saturday, June 13 at Del Crary Park, organizers are hoping to surpass the $5 million milestone.

We spoke with 2026 Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Chair, Michelle Thornton, about her personal connection to the event, the impact it has had on cancer care in our region and what makes this year’s celebration especially meaningful…

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival. How long have you been involved with the Festival and what first inspired you to join?

Michelle: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Luckily it was caught early and surgery at Peterborough Regional Health Centre was the only treatment I needed. I had my operation that September and joined Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat team in November. I attended my first Festival in 2015 as a brand-new paddler. I remember being in the boat thinking—because in the beginning after diagnosis, all you think about is cancer—but I remember being in the boat thinking, “I’m focusing on paddling and I’m not thinking about anything else.” It was great! Then in 2017, I was approached by one of the founding members of the Festival to become Chair. Carol Mutton offered to co-chair with me as a bit of an incentive. It’s a really rewarding experience. I’ve met some amazing people along the way, made some great friends and heard some really inspiring stories.

You attended your first Festival in 2015, and now—more than a decade later—you’re chairing the Festival’s silver anniversary. What is it about this event that continues to inspire your commitment year after year?

Michelle: When I first came to the 2015 Festival, it really opened my eyes. I thought the government paid for hospital equipment and technology. It dawned on me that it was events like the Dragon Boat Festival that helped fund the equipment that helped diagnose me at PRHC. I realized then that this was way bigger than me. Being a part of this event is a way to give back and also pay it forward for somebody in the future. This is a huge community event that does a lot of good and can make a real difference in someone’s life. Along the road, I’ve met some amazing volunteers and committee members that keep coming back every year. They truly inspire me to keep going.

Beyond the excitement and community spirit, this Festival has a very real impact on cancer care in our region. Why is supporting PRHC Foundation through events like this so important to you personally?

Michelle: The thing is, I had my surgery at PRHC. My family was able to be with me without having to travel, so I know how important it is that care is close to home as much as possible. I actually did a deep dive in terms of all the equipment that has been fundraised with the money Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has raised and it’s just, it’s amazing. You know, we’ve replaced mammogram machines, ultrasounds, we supported new CT scanners, an additional MRI… The list goes on. The Festival has really touched every part of the cancer care spectrum at PRHC. Our mandate is breast cancer, but really the equipment that we fundraise for supports all cancer care. I think everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. The Festival’s contribution is significant and it’s important. I’m really proud of these accomplishments and what we’ve managed to do to help our regional hospital over the 25 years.

The Festival has raised nearly $5 million for cancer care at PRHC. This year’s fundraising goal is especially meaningful. Can you explain the significance behind the number $325,018.01?

Michelle: This year we increased our goal by 25%, so it’s $325,018.01. The 25 reflects the 2 out of 5 Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. The 18 is for the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer and the .01 is the percentage of men who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. So, all of the numbers mean something.

As you look ahead to this milestone Festival on Saturday, June 13, what are you most looking forward to on race day?

Michelle: We have five out-of-town survivor teams coming to help us celebrate this year, which is significant. So, the flower ceremony is going to be special. It’s a really festive day, although the purpose is a serious one, we make it fun. We have a beer garden and a Festival branded merchandise tent. There’s a petting zoo, games for the kids, face painting. The food and artisan vendors are amazing. And really, it’s the atmosphere. It’s electric. You can feel it, people are high-fiving and smiling, there’s music, and they’re hugging. It’s a community that comes together to make a difference, and you can really feel that connectivity. I get shivers thinking about it and my passion just grows as I visualize it.