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.

A legacy of caring: Margie and Bob Lightbody’s lasting gift to patient care

A newly dedicated space at Peterborough Regional Health Centre will stand as a lasting tribute to Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody, whose generosity will help support expert, compassionate care for patients and their families for generations to come.

Recently, PRHC Foundation was honoured to name the Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery area in memory of the couple and their philanthropy, including a special gift Margie made on behalf of her and Bob just before her passing in 2022. That donation fulfilled their wish to make one final, significant investment in the future of patient care in their community. It supported the state-of-the-art advancement of the IR facilities, where PRHC’s interventional radiology teams perform minimally invasive procedures to treat patients with conditions including stroke, cancer, organ failure, bleeding, and trauma, among others.

The Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery space is part of a $6 million investment in IR at PRHC, made possible entirely through donor support. The expansion included new cutting-edge imaging technology, the addition of a third IR suite, and the increased preparation and recovery area that now accommodates 14 patients instead of 10. The new, larger facilities and advanced equipment mean more patients can receive faster, more accurate lifesaving care from which they recover more quickly, with less pain and better outcomes. The suites are also paving the way for the future introduction of dramatic advances in patient care.

The Lightbodys’ support of IR reflected the couple’s vision for healthcare in our region, as well as their own healthcare experiences. Throughout their lives, Margie and Bob felt strongly that patients should be able to access world-class care close to home, surrounded by the comfort and support of loved ones. Bob passed away following a stroke in 2017, while Margie was once a cancer care patient.

“Margie and Bob believed deeply in giving back to the community they loved. Their generosity has made a lasting difference for thousands of patients and families,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Margie and Bob’s philanthropy is a powerful reflection of lives dedicated to helping others. It will ensure future generations will benefit from leading-edge healthcare closer to home. We’re so grateful for the extraordinary legacy they have left our region.”

Margie dedicated nine years of volunteer leadership to the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as Chair for the Foundation’s Closer to Care campaign in 2011, bringing cancer radiation therapy to PRHC for the first time. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and service, she was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020. She was an original member of Survivors Abreast, the host team of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival. Together, Margie and Bob also supported several areas of care at PRHC, including cancer and mental health. Their kindness, leadership and compassion continue to inspire everyone who knew them.

“Throughout our lives, our parents modelled the importance of giving back to our community,” say the couple’s daughters, Deb (Deborah) Keay and Dr. Tamara Lightbody. “Over the years, they generously gave their time, energy and resources to causes they believed would make a meaningful difference. They valued healthcare that could be provided close to home, so patients could be surrounded and supported by their families. We know they would be so honoured to have their names associated with a part of the hospital that can touch and improve many lives. The IR preparation and recovery area represents their own values of welcoming, comforting and caring, as well as gaining insight and sharing knowledge.”

Deb and Tamara attended the dedication celebration with their spouses and children. Hospital and PRHC Foundation representatives joined them to honour Margie and Bob’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, compassion and leadership.

“We’re especially pleased that all of their grandchildren could be here together to witness and appreciate the lasting impact of their grandparents’ example,” say Deb and Tamara. “Their legacy is reflected not only in what they gave to this community, but also in the values they instilled in our family. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Thank you to the Lightbody family. Your generosity is certainly helping to support care close to home in our region.

Photo: The Lightbody family celebrates the generosity of PRHC Foundation supporters Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s interventional radiology preparation and recovery space in their memory. The family was joined by hospital and Foundation representatives to celebrate Margie and Bob’s impact on patient care. From left to right are, Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist at PRHC, Adam Keay, Rick Murdock, Ellie Murdock, Dr. Tamara Lightbody, Deb (Deborah) Keay, Tom Keay, Lucas Murdock, Sandy Keay, Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation, and Meghan Darwin, Director of Corporate Services, Diagnostic Imaging & Emergency Preparedness at PRHC.

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.

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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!