PRHC Foundation volunteers bring Sharing Tree project to life to connect the community and support PRHC

The PRHC Foundation reImagineers, a group of ambassadors passionate about their community, regional hospital and the Campaign for PRHC, have launched a heartwarming project called the Sharing Tree.

This holiday season initiative invites community members to rally around our regional hospital by sharing their connections with PRHC – whether it’s a story of exceptional care, a cherished memory, or a message for PRHC’s doctors, nurses, staff and patients.

“We hope that by sharing our own stories, we can inspire others to reflect on their connections with the hospital,” says Lisa Couture, a reImagineer, donor and owner of Couture Candy PTBO. “Each message on the Sharing Tree serves as a reminder of the care, compassion and support that bring us all together.”

The project launched Saturday, November 23 at Lisa’s shop in downtown Peterborough. The idea is simple but powerful: anyone with a connection to PRHC is encouraged to write down a message, story or words of encouragement on an ornament, which will then be placed on the Sharing Tree. Lisa celebrated the launch of the tree with her own fundraiser in support of the PRHC Foundation: from now until December 24, 2024, $1 from each $19.99 mixed candy bag will be donated towards the Campaign for PRHC.

“We’re grateful for the dedication of the reImagineers and their work to connect the community and hospital in such a meaningful way,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation. “The tree will spread warmth and encouragement through the community, then bring cheer to the hospital over the holiday season, while supporting the Campaign for PRHC.”

The Sharing Tree will travel to locations around the region and will come ‘home’ to PRHC in time for Christmas. The heartfelt messages will be on display in the hospital where doctors, nurses, staff and patients can find inspiration from each shared story. There’s also an online version of the tree, making it easy for everyone to take part. As the tree makes its physical journey around the area, website visitors can add their messages digitally.

“Help us decorate the tree with hope, warmth and gratitude,” says Nick Beamish, a reImagineer, grateful patient and donor. He and his fellow reImagineers are committed to supporting the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC. They’ll continue to develop initiatives throughout the campaign that will engage and inspire the community to think about their connections to the hospital and give in support. PRHC serves a population of up to 600,000 and relies on community donations to fund the tools needed to save and change patient lives.

To see an ongoing list of locations where the tree will be stopping this holiday season, visit the Sharing Tree webpage and stay tuned to our social media for updates. Thank you to our Sharing Tree partner locations and all participants for contributing to our Campaign for PRHC efforts!

Photo: From left, PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway, Matt and Lisa Couture, Susan Dunkley, Noah Crowley, Nick Beamish and son Luke, Jess Crowley and son Theo, and Darryl Porter. In front is PRHC Foundation Manager, Community Giving & Engagement Jane Lovett with son Sam.

Connect with your hospital and community through the Sharing Tree!

As part of the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC, we invite you to connect with your hospital and community through the Sharing Tree.

We’d love to hear what Peterborough Regional Health Centre means to YOU. Submit your PRHC care story or a message of thanks for PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff on the Sharing Tree. Your message will encourage others to think about their connections to PRHC and lift the spirits of our healthcare experts.

There are two ways to participate:
1. Online
  • Visit the Sharing Tree webpage to see the digital tree and submit your story or message through the online form.
  • We’ll post your story or message on the digital tree and print a copy to hang in the PRHC lobby.
  • Watch for us around the region and follow us on social media for updates on the journey of the Sharing Tree.
2. In person
  • Visit the Sharing Tree at area locations throughout November and December.
  • Write your story or message on an ornament and hang it on the Sharing Tree.
  • When we bring the tree ‘home’ to PRHC, your ornament will hang in the PRHC lobby and be shared on the Sharing Tree webpage. 

Thank you to our Sharing Tree partner locations and all participants for contributing to our Campaign for PRHC efforts!

Giving options during the Canada Post strike

During the postal strike, we want you to know that our commitment to reimagining health and care in our region remains strong. Through your support of the Campaign for PRHC, we’re transforming healthcare by fuelling innovation and bringing new, lifesaving services to our region.

There are other convenient ways to give today. Please consider making your donation…

  • Online: By clicking here or the “Donate Now” button at the top right hand of your screen
  • By phone: Call us at 705-876-5000
  • In person: Stop by our offices inside PRHC – Enter through the main doors, pass the cafeteria, and follow the hall to your left to office W4770 (4th floor, next to the main visitor elevators). We’re here Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.

If you’ve already given this season, thank you for empowering world-class care, close to home.

 

Celebrating National Philanthropy Day and all that donors make possible at PRHC

Today marks National Philanthropy Day, a time to honour those who demonstrate the spirit of giving and are helping us reimagine healthcare.    

Philanthropy fuels our mission at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation and inspires our dedicated team everyday. Because of your generous support, our colleagues at PRHC are able to expand services, create a healing environment for patients, and use state-of-the-art technology.    

Earlier this year we launched the $60 million Campaign for PRHC, our most ambitious initiative yet. With our growing population and the volume of patients on the rise, support is necessary so our hospital colleagues can continue to provide excellent patient care.   

“Many people are surprised to learn the government doesn’t fund hospital equipment,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO. “Your donations are vital to helping PRHC continue delivering world-class care with up-to-date technology.”   

Heighway announced that because of the community’s generous ongoing support, the Foundation has now achieved 82% of its campaign goal to date. “This is wonderful,” Heighway said. “Thanks to our donors who continue to rally around our hospital, the campaign has now reached over $49.5 million raised.”

PRHC is already seeing the benefits of this ambitious campaign. The hospital has introduced two new CT scanners and an additional MRI machine which are allowing doctors to provide patients with faster diagnoses, follow up and treatment. Your gifts have also helped bring new minimally invasive technology to the Operating Rooms and trauma equipment to the Emergency Department to support lifesaving care.  

Construction is underway on a secure, outdoor courtyard for patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Currently, patients in the PICU have no access to the outside. This courtyard will give them a place to get fresh air, visit with family, and receive compassionate care. 

With your continued investment, we’ll also bring digital pathology to our region. This groundbreaking technology will allow the lab team at PRHC to get vital diagnostic information into the hands of doctors sooner. “With chronic diseases like cancer on the rise,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO of PRHC, “now is the time to make a difference. Your support can help fund innovative digital diagnostic tools, supporting early detection and lifesaving treatments.”    

“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Mikula added. “There’s so much more we have planned, and together, we’ll increase access to care for everyone while creating a top-notch environment doctors want to work in.” 

On National Philanthropy Day, we want to thank our community of supporters who champion healthcare everyday. Together, we can continue reimagining health and care, for a brighter and healthier future.   

Holiday urns in support of patient care at PRHC

This holiday season, why not buy something that benefits both your porch and your hospital? Diana Mcculloch from the PRHC Lab and D. Mcculloch Events is back this year with her festive holiday urn fundraiser. 

The 10″ pots feature fresh greens and your choice of red, white, gold, silver, or neutral-coloured accents. When you buy a holiday urn from Diana, $5 will be donated to the PRHC Foundation in support of empowering world-class patient care, right here, close to home. 

To place your order or learn more, email Diana. 

Thank you Diana and customers for your merry support! 

Give local this holiday season in support of PRHC

A selection of products on offer through Living Local's corporate gifting, including a cozy knit blanket, peppermint bark, hand soaps, candles, cider, and hot cocoa.
A selection of products on offer through Living Local's corporate gifting, including a cozy knit blanket, peppermint bark, hand soaps, candles, cider, and hot cocoa.

This holiday season, Living Local Marketplace has teamed up with Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation in support of reimagining health and care at your regional hospital! 

When you build a corporate gift box for a client or colleague, choosing from over a dozen curated holiday items sourced from across the province, $1 will be donated to the PRHC Foundation and Hospice Peterborough. 

All corporate gifts are completely customized, and Living Local Marketplace owner Alicia Doris and her team are there to help with ideas and inspiration every step of the way. Read the holiday gift guide here or shop in-store at Chemong Rd. and Milroy Dr. in Peterborough, Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-5pm.

Thank you Living Local Marketplace and customers for your festive support! 

Your hospital, your story: Inspire your community as a campaign ambassador

To volunteer as a Campaign for PRHC ambassador, please reach out to Valerie Gagnon, Charitable Giving Advisor, by email or call 705-743-2121, ext. 4184.

We’re looking for dedicated community members like you to make a positive difference and inspire others by becoming volunteer ambassadors for the Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC – the largest fundraising initiative in our history.

Your participation will encourage others to think about their own connections to PRHC, show them how to get involved in the campaign beyond their generous donations, help rally their colleagues and loved ones to join, and raise awareness about the incredible impact we can all make together. Volunteers and donors are at the heart of what we do. With your help as an ambassador, we can ensure that our hospital continues to deliver the exceptional care our region deserves.

There are so many ways to get involved in the campaign!

  • Share your patient or donor story
  • Volunteer or speak at events
  • Host an event
  • Organize a fundraiser
  • Create a cause marketing initiative
  • Sponsor the campaign
  • Network on behalf of the Foundation
  • Suggest another way to support the campaign

Your involvement will inspire participation and connection, fundraising for the state-of-the-art technology used to save lives, and ultimately a healthier, stronger community. This is a chance for us all to give back to the hospital our community built, that’s been here for us when it matters most.

To volunteer as a Campaign for PRHC ambassador, please reach out to Valerie Gagnon, Charitable Giving Advisor, by email or call 705-743-2121, ext. 4184.

Download a copy of the PRHC Foundation’s related media release. 

Feature photo: Charitable Giving Advisor Valerie Gagnon at PRHC’s Health & Wellness Fair on September 26 where she chatted with PRHC staff about how to get involved with the campaign.

Inset photo: Members of the PRHC Foundation team were honoured to meet so many community members inspired to share what PRHC means to them at The Local Show organized by the Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, hosted at Lansdowne Place on September 14. Left to right are Lesley Heighway, President & CEO; Jane Lovett, Manager, Community Giving & Engagement; and Hanna Méthot, Community Giving & Engagement Coordinator.

Record-breaking donation from Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival

On October 9th, the PRHC Foundation proudly hosted this year’s Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival gift announcement. Together, the Festival’s host team, Survivors Abreast, the Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, paddlers, volunteers, and supporters, presented the Foundation with a record-breaking donation of $312,025.18 – the largest single gift in the Festival’s history!

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WATCH: Together, we’re reimagining health and care at our hospital

The $60 million Campaign for PRHC is the largest fundraising campaign in Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s and the PRHC Foundation’s history. Our community’s support of the campaign reflects our shared belief that we can’t afford to let the standard of care we’ve all helped establish slip away. Together, we’re reimagining health and care at our hospital by:

  • Empowering world-class care close to home
  • Fuelling innovation and introducing new lifesaving services to our region
  • Attracting top healthcare professionals
  • Inspiring and supporting solutions to critical hospital challenges

Watch the video to hear more!

Lakefield & District Lions Club launches Collaboration 50/50 Cash Raffle

On September 16th, the Lakefield & District Lions Club launched their new Collaboration 50/50 Cash Raffle! PRHC Foundation is excited to be one of the selected beneficiaries, alongside Kawartha Food Share, Community Care, and the Lakefield & District Lions. Raffle funds donated to the PRHC Foundation will empower world-class care at PRHC by fuelling innovation and bringing new, lifesaving services to our region. 

Ontario residents, 18 years of age or older, can purchase 50/50 tickets here. The draw will take place on November 15th. (License Number RAF1404060)