diverse
Celebrating supporters as as our Scarborough community.
YOUR SHN FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER Spring 2021
A note from our President & CEO,
Joining the Foundation as President & CEO in January 2020, I realize many of you may not know a lot about me yet. As supporters of Scarborough Health Network (SHN), I would first like to thank you for your commitment to shaping the future of health care in Scarborough. Because of you, we can ensure our diverse and vibrant community has accessible, compassionate care close to home for years to come. Upon starting at SHN, I was blown away by Scarborough’s remarkable spirit of generosity, compassion and togetherness in the face of adversity. As the COVID-19 pandemic had just begun, I was touched by the tremendous support our Health Network received from donors, volunteers and the community. As we move forward, the future is bright for SHN and the Foundation is ready to help make that future possible. Throughout the pandemic, our doctors, nurses and health care teams have delivered compassionate health care at the highest levels. Now, we want to take bold steps forward to close the gap between this exceptional care and our outdated infrastructure and to help put Scarborough on the map as a leader in world-class, inclusive care. There are many transformational initiatives that the Foundation, in partnership with the hospital, will strive to move forward to give our patients exceptional health care in the best possible facilities and with the most up-todate equipment – but it’s only with the help of our donors that we’ll be able to succeed. Donors – like you – are vital partners in our vision, and we look forward to building a better SHN alongside you. Beyond your financial support, you have a vested interest in the future of our hospitals and the health of the Scarborough community, and we want you involved as we work toward becoming Canada’s leading community teaching health network. By working together, there’s no limit to what we will be able to achieve for the future of Scarborough Health Network. I am grateful for your support and for standing beside us. We are working to remove barriers to care, build modern facilities and ensure our resilient Scarborough community has access to world-class health care. Included in this newsletter are stories of hope, inspiration and commitment to a brighter future from SHN supporters who are as diverse as the community we serve. I hope you will continue to support Scarborough Health Network Foundation by making a donation today and joining us on our journey together. Sincerely, Alicia Vandermeer President & CEO, SHN Foundation
Adriana
There’s no age limit when it comes to giving back, and 5-year-old supporter Adriana Arbitman proves that. In 2019, Adriana was admitted to Centenary hospital and had to spend eight long days with the team in paediatrics. “Adriana always remembers how the doctors and nurses at SHN made her feel safe and brought a smile to her face,” shares Dr. Annesse Lee, an SHN otolaryngologist and Adriana’s mother. “They were there for her during what could have been a very frightening time, so it only made sense that she’d want to do something special for them in their time of need.” A few months after the pandemic hit, Dr. Lee found out that a neighbour was creating
ear savers to support frontline staff during COVID-19. And, after saving her chore money, Adriana wanted to put that money towards helping her friends at SHN by providing them with PPE. In June of 2020, Adriana and her mother visited the hospital to drop off the newly purchased ear savers and a drawing of her favourite doctors. She was presented with an official certificate to recognize her generous donation and support. “This was such a heartwarming experience for Adriana and me, and I’m thankful to SHN and the Foundation for helping to make her feel so special,” shares Dr. Lee.
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I KNOW ADRIANA WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT THE TEAM AT SHN DID FOR HER, AND NEITHER WILL I.”
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5-year-old SHN patient uses chore money to support frontliners
— Dr. Annesse Lee SHN PHYSICIAN & ADRIANA’S MOTHER
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When Michelle Lee started thinking about how she could give back to the hospital that cared for her family over the last 20 years, she decided to include SHN in her life insurance policy. Living and growing up in Scarborough, Birchmount hospital (previously Scarborough Grace) was her family’s hospital. She recalls the many hours she spent there when her dad suffered health problems, reflecting on the incredible compassion and support of the staff. Michelle and her family became close with all of the staff caring for her dad, and team members from every shift came to know them and ask them how they were doing.
This connection to Scarborough and SHN prompted Michelle to add the hospital to her life insurance policy. She was familiar with the process of adding a nonprofit as a beneficiary of her life insurance, and through her agent she started the process of adding SHN to her policy. “The hospital is amazing, the staff were absolutely wonderful and the doctor caring for my dad truly went above and beyond,” Michelle tells us. Michelle believes it’s important to give back because helping others is near and dear to her heart. “I truly believe donations are not just about money. The more you give the more you get, and giving makes us happier and more fulfilled.”
Learn more about legacy giving options at SHN by visiting SHNFoundation.ca.
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以醫院為人壽保險 保單受益機構不止 是一次性捐款。 這 除了給予我稅務優 惠外，士嘉堡健康 網絡所受惠捐款將 超越我所付保單收 費，更進一步幫助 醫院。
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through life insurance
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Michelle Lee gives back
IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO GIVE THROUGH LIFE INSURANCE BECAUSE IT’S NOT JUST A ONETIME FIXED DONATION. IT NOT ONLY PROVIDES TAX BENEFITS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY MEANS IN THE END SHN WILL RECEIVE A LOT MORE THAN THE AMOUNT I PAID FOR THE INSURANCE.
— Michelle Lee
The Scarborough Muslim Community
expands their support for SHN with $100,000 pledge The Scarborough Muslim Community once again stepped up in support of SHN Foundation with the announcement of an inspiring $100,000 pledge. Fresh off the heels of fulfilling their previous five-year commitment of $250,000 – which was raised in only two and a half years – the group has again come forward to help SHN’s three hospitals. “We continue to be inspired by the commitment the Scarborough Muslim Community has shown to our hospitals,” shared Alicia Vandermeer, President and CEO of SHN Foundation. “This additional support shows the passion and hard work of the entire Scarborough Muslim Community.” Members of the Scarborough Muslim Community with special guests during their virtual kick-off meeting on February 16, 2021.
While in previous years the Scarborough Muslim Community hosted a Family Day Walk-a-Thon to raise funds, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they instead held a virtual meeting on February 16, 2021. Joined by SHN Foundation members, local MPs and MPPs, and Toronto Mayor John Tory, they announced their renewed commitment to raising $100,000 for SHN in 2021.
This community support is crucial to our hospital’s ability to care for the community,
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The Scarborough Muslim Community hopes to reach their $100,000 goal by the end of 2021. We are extremely grateful for their support and generosity, and for helping ensure we receive the support necessary to improve patients’ lives through exceptional and inclusive care.
WHEN WE COME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS HEALTH CARE IN SCARBOROUGH, IT SHINES A LIGHT ON THE GENEROSITY AND SPIRIT OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
— Asad Chowdury
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“Their commitment to helping us build a brighter, healthier future for Scarborough is inspiring. The Scarborough Muslim Community has set an example for other community groups in Scarborough to follow as we rely heavily on our community to help raise valuable funds for SHN,” shared Ryan Baillie, Vice President, Community Development with SHN Foundation.
and we are extremely appreciative to the Scarborough Muslim Community for stepping up once again to support our hospitals.
MEMBER OF THE SCARBOROUGH MUSLIM COMMUNITY & A LEADER OF THIS INITIATIVE
The Weeknd gives $500,000 Multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter and record producer Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, donated $500,000 to SHN in 2020 to support COVID-19 relief efforts through sales of his popular line of XO face masks. The donation was a large part of the health network’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund, which totalled more than $2.7 million. Since the outset of the pandemic, the Grammy Awardwinning Scarborough native has been raising awareness and support for many charities, including SHN Foundation. All of the proceeds from sales of The Weeknd’s XO face masks will be donated to COVID-19 relief, with the artist matching every dollar raised.
SHN’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund was established to support frontline staff and doctors by addressing urgent and changing equipment needs. This includes equipment such as ventilators, ICU beds, vital signs and ECG monitors, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), health and wellness supports for frontline workers, and other urgent needs. More than 3,500 community donors contributed to the Fund. We are grateful for The Weeknd’s phenomenal support, and that of thousands of donors throughout the pandemic. This gift demonstrated to our courageous staff and physicians that their critical work has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
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I WAS RAISED IN SCARBOROUGH AND FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT RAISED ME DURING THE HARD TIMES OF THIS PANDEMIC.
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Scarborough-born superstar
— Abel Tesfaye A.K.A. THE WEEKND
diverse
Thank you to our community of supporters.
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— Mei Tam SHN DONOR & GRATEFUL PATIENT
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我曾經在這醫院受 惠，醫生及醫療團隊 十分友善及幫助我。 我們應該盡力慷慨 解囊，支持醫院的需 要。 每分每毫的捐款 也是值得的。
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As a first-generation immigrant, I support SHN to set an example and sow a seed in strengthening the helping hands – hospitals are more than beds & medicine.
— Stan Muthulingam SHN DONOR & FOUNDER & CEO, THECABLESHOPPE INC.
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It’s important to give back to SHN because these are the people that keep us alive and healthy when we need it the most. Right now, giving back is more important than ever. I always say if you have good neighbours, help them in any way you can. It’s the same with SHN – the General hospital is my neighbour, and they’ve provided very good care for me and my family over the years. So, making a yearly donation to SHN is my way of being a good neighbour, and helping out a good neighbour.
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I give back because when I was in the hospital, the doctors and nurses were so nice and helpful. We need to help them, and every penny counts.
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— Robert Atkinson SHN ANNUAL DONOR & GRATEFUL PATIENT
Messages of gratitude from the
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frontlines.
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Community support means the world to me. No words can ever express the gratitude, caring, love that we have received. Thank you from the bottom of my Heart ! You are all angels to us.
Thank you for your overwhelming generosity. We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude as it has made such a difference to staff knowing we have the support from our incredible community.
I want to thank every single donor who has contributed to SHN. Because of you, we are able to work safely and protect those around us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are all amazing!
— Barb Belcastro
— Lori-Lee James
— Erica Kang
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CLINICAL MANAGER
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PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SHN FOUNDATION TODAY BY COMPLETING THE ENCLOSED REPLY COUPON WITH A ONE-TIME GIFT, OR BY JOINING OUR CARING CIRCLE MONTHLY DONOR CLUB.
MAIL TO
314-3030 Lawrence Ave E. Scarborough, ON M1P 2T7
CALL US AT
GO ONLINE TO
416-431-8130
www.SHNFoundation.ca