Fabian has always been someone who looks forward.
A mechanical engineer, business owner and father of five, he describes himself as easygoing and positive. He has always been focused on his work, achieving his goals, spending time outdoors and, most importantly, being with his family.
Then, during the pandemic, everything changed. Fabian was diagnosed with lymphoma after his family doctor identified a problem and referred him to Joseph Brant Hospital for treatment.
“I was very scared when I received the diagnosis,” Fabian says. “I had to stop working, and for a period of time, it felt like everything was falling apart.”
The hardest part wasn’t knowing what treatment would involve. It was the uncertainty—and the fear that he might not be there for his family.
“My family, and the hope that I would get through this, became my motivation to keep going.”
At Joseph Brant Hospital, Fabian found more than medical treatment. He found people who helped him feel less alone during one of the most difficult periods of his life. His oncologist, Dr. Lisa J. Christjanson, stood out immediately.
“She was extremely clear and thorough throughout my treatment,” Fabian says. “She explained the different procedures, tests, possibilities and potential outcomes in a way that I could understand.”
For Fabian, that clarity made an enormous difference. When so much of his life felt uncertain, understanding the plan gave him something to hold on to.
“I was scared, but after that conversation, I felt that there was a plan, and more importantly, I felt hope.”
That sense of hope carried him forward. But Fabian remembers that it wasn’t just his oncologist who made a difference. Every person he encountered at JBH—doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers—made a meaningful impact.
“Their warm welcome, kindness and smiles made me actually look forward to coming back to the hospital, even though I was there for treatment.”
For Fabian, that human connection was just as meaningful as the medical care. There is one moment from his experience at JBH that Fabian will never forget.
While undergoing treatment, he developed pneumonia and found himself in the Emergency Department around midnight. He was extremely sick and emotionally drained. His wife was at home caring for their children, so Fabian was facing that frightening moment alone.
Then a nurse came to him and said four simple words: “No worries. You will be fine.”
“They were very simple words, but they made me smile,” Fabian recalls. “Somehow, in that moment, things felt better.”
It was a small moment, but to Fabian, it represented something much bigger: the power of compassionate care.
“I don’t know if she realized how much those few words meant to me, but I have never forgotten them.”
Today, Fabian says he looks at life differently. His priorities are his health and his family. Fortunately, his treatment went well, and he has been able to return to full self-employment and continue pursuing the goals he set for himself. But his experience with cancer changed the way he thinks about those goals.
“Going through cancer taught me not to take life for granted.”
For Fabian, having another chance at life means making time for the things that matter most—being with his family, enjoying the outdoors and appreciating the life he has.
“We are very fortunate to have such a great hospital in Burlington,” he says. “The professionalism and dedication of the people at JBH made an incredibly difficult period of my life easier to navigate.”
Fabian wanted to find a meaningful way to honour the people who had been there for him when he needed them most. Through a Gift of Gratitude to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, he made a donation in honour of his care team—a way of saying thank you while supporting the same exceptional care for patients and families in our community.
His message was simple:
“Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for giving me hope, for taking care of me, and for giving me another chance at life.”
Margaret has always lived a life defined by curiosity, resilience, and care for others.
After retiring from a career in post-secondary education in 2011, Margaret continued giving back through part-time work with nonprofit organizations. She also embraced her love of travel as a self-described “foodie,” seeking out new flavours and experiences—especially in India, where time spent in the Himalayas left a lasting impression.
But Margaret’s life has also been shaped by ongoing health challenges. Diagnosed with Cushing’s disease at 25, where she developed several brain tumours on her pituitary gland, she later developed secondary Addison’s disease—a condition she has learned to manage with deep personal knowledge and vigilance. Over the years, she has faced multiple serious health events, including a brain tumour, unrelated to her Cushing’s disease.
“I haven’t been blessed with good health,” she says candidly, “but I’ve learned to listen to my body.”
It was that awareness that ultimately brought her to Joseph Brant Hospital during a life-threatening adrenal crisis. Margaret recognized the signs—lethargy, headache, and a deep sense that something wasn’t right. When her cousin called 911, she was taken to the Emergency Department at Joseph Brant Hospital. What happened next stayed with her.
From the moment she arrived, the care team acted quickly — starting IV treatment immediately and, just as importantly, listening to her. “They asked what I take, and they trusted me. They listened. They were compassionate and respectful. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my lifetime.”
After three days in hospital, as she prepared to go home, a nurse ensured she had a follow-up appointment arranged before discharge. “I would have fallen over if I weren’t in bed. I’ve never had that level of care before.”
Another staff member—a porter transporting her through the building—took a moment to chat and connect.
Having experienced healthcare systems throughout her life, Margaret knew just how extraordinary this level of care was.
“It wasn’t just the medical care,” Margaret reflects. “It was the humanity. Staff at Joseph Brant Hospital are cut from a different cloth.”
That experience didn’t just stay with her—it moved her to act. Margaret had initially made a $25 donation. But after her time at Joseph Brant Hospital, she made a far more meaningful decision: she updated her will to include a legacy gift. “For me, it was about gratitude,” she says. “When you’ve been as unwell as I’ve been, and then you receive care like that—it stays with you.”
Her decision is also grounded in a clear understanding of today’s healthcare realities. “People don’t always realize that so much of healthcare isn’t funded by the government,” she explains. “If we want the best—new equipment, better facilities—that comes from donors.”
Through her legacy gift, Margaret hopes to ensure others receive the same level of care she experienced—care that is not only highly skilled, but deeply compassionate.
Josephine “Josie” Campanella believed deeply in family, community, and giving back. Josie was born in Hamilton in1920, the youngest of three children. From humble beginnings that included helping run the family market and apartment building after her father’s early death, Josie developed a spirit of resilience, generosity, and warmth that would define her life.
Josie and her husband, Jim, shared almost 60 years of marriage, filled with adventure, love, and unwavering support for one another. When Jim developed kidney problems, they moved from Guelph to Burlington to be near family. Jim required regular dialysis, and when the Burlington Dialysis Centre opened in 2009 at Joseph Brant Hospital’s Wellness House, he was proud to receive care in such a modern facility. The Campanellas recognized how important access to modern healthcare was and their generosity began in earnest.
Their support for Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation (JBHF) grew steadily over the years. Josie and Jim attended donor recognition events, celebrated milestones with staff, and proudly displayed photos from hospital events at their home. They saw firsthand the difference a well-supported hospital could make, and they wanted to be part of that legacy including the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation in their wills.
Jim passed away in 2013 at the age of 96, but Josie continued their tradition of giving with warmth and dedication. She enjoyed visiting donor recognition luncheons, meeting staff, and even inviting JBHF team members to her apartment to personally hand over her annual donation—often accompanied by tea and cookies. Her connection to the hospital was personal and meaningful.
When the new Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower opened in 2017, Josie attended with her family to see two rooms that bear the Campanella name. She was deeply proud, knowing that their support would continue to benefit patients and families for years to come.
Josie passed away in 2023 at the age of 103, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, generosity, and a lifelong commitment to improving the care of others. Through their gifts, Jim and Josie Campanella ensured that future generations would benefit from the care they valued so deeply. Their story is a reminder that legacy giving is more than philanthropy—it is a lasting testament to the power of love, family, and community.
Ken has always lived life at full speed. A lifelong adventurer, he spent his career in physically demanding jobs and far-flung places including oil rigs in the Arctic, and gold mines in Guyana and construction in Yemen. Along the way came injuries, accidents, and more than 40 broken bones. “Memories do not make themselves, I’ve had a good run,” he says. “No regrets.”
At twenty years old, Ken faced his first major health battle when he was diagnosed with testicular and urinary tract cancer, and was treated with operations and experimental chemotherapy. It wasn’t until forty years later that he would learn that only half his heart had been working properly—his right coronary artery was completely shut down due to a gangrene infection between chemo visits. Even then, Ken felt well and stayed active, unaware of how serious the situation truly was.
Many years later, after a lifetime of wear and tear, Ken’s knee demanded attention. Multiple fractures and old injuries had left it bone on bone, making everyday movement painful. Like many people, he tried to push through it for as long as he could, adjusting his routine and delaying surgery out of concern for potential complications from infection.
When a close friend had a strong recovery from knee surgery, Ken was inspired to take action for his own knee issues and was referred to Joseph Brant Hospital and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jaroszynski. The care plan was thoughtful and cautious from the start, focusing first on non-surgical options, such as a scope to clear scar tissue. When the pain returned several years later, Ken didn’t hesitate to return. By then, he had complete trust in his care team at Joseph Brant Hospital.
“I felt comfortable. I felt safe,” he says. “I knew they were on their game and if anything came up, they could handle it.”
That trust proved critical. Ken’s care team noticed a heart anomaly. Although Ken felt fine, they kept him in hospital a few extra days after surgery to be safe. As he was preparing for discharge, his heart began shutting down. He was having a heart attack—without symptoms. Because of the team’s vigilance and seamless communication, the problem was identified immediately, and Ken was stabilized and transferred to the appropriate cardiac specialists.
“If I had gone anywhere else, I’m not sure I would’ve had the same level of attention,” Ken reflects. “I could’ve been driving when that happened. I might not be here today.”
Ken says he wouldn’t go anywhere else but Joseph Brant Hospital, and he knows the 22-minute drive from his home in Jordan station well.
From Emergency care to volunteers offering guidance, he’s consistently felt supported. Volunteers are always ready to help, and care teams consistently take the time to explain what’s happening every step of the way. In conversations with other patients, he’s heard the same thing again and again: no one is left wondering what comes next. “Education takes away fear,” Ken says. “When you understand what’s happening, you can handle it.”
Having worked in team-based environments his entire career, Ken is quick to recognize excellence when he sees it. “I know what it takes for teamwork to function well,” he says. “When you see how well the teams at Joseph Brant work together, how can anything go wrong?”
For the Stewart family, Joseph Brant Hospital has never been just a place to receive care. It has been a workplace, a constant presence through life’s milestones, and a source of comfort during some of their most difficult moments. Their connection spans generations—and at the heart of it is their mother, Winifred Stewart, whose career and values left a lasting imprint on both her family and the hospital she loved.
Wynne began her nursing career in Hamilton before finding her professional home at Joseph Brant Hospital. Nursing was not simply her job—it was her calling. She loved the night shift, thrived in fast-paced environments, and had a deep passion for patient care. “She was a nighthawk,” her son Jim recalls. “She loved the work, the challenge, and the people.”
After taking time away when her children were young, Wynne returned to nursing in the late 1970s, recertifying and stepping back into hospital life during a period of rapid change. She worked as a float nurse before settling into overnight shifts—her favourite—and was among the early nurses trained on new ventilator technology as the ICU evolved. She later transferred to the Emergency Department, where her calm leadership, decisiveness, and compassion made her a trusted presence for patients and colleagues alike.
“Nursing was just part of who she was,” says her daughter Jennifer. “Whether she was at work or at home, she was always helping people.”
Joseph Brant Hospital was also where the Stewart family returned many times over the years for care. Jennifer’s own children were born at Joseph Brant Hospital—another reflection of the family’s deep trust in the hospital across generations.
As Wynne and her husband Jim aged, the hospital became even more central to the family’s life. When Jim suffered each of his two heart attacks, the quality of care stood out immediately—especially the compassion shown by nurses who knew Wynne from her years on staff.
The care both parents received in their final stages of life left a lasting impression on the entire family. “The doctors and nurses in palliative care were genuine angels,” their son Jim says. “The care was outstanding.”
Wynne was immensely proud of that level of care. A lifelong volunteer and community builder, she believed deeply in giving back and supporting institutions that serve others.
In honour of their mother’s legacy and the exceptional care their family received over decades, all of Wynne and Jim’s children – Dave, Jim, Bill and Jennifer made a Gift of Gratitude to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. Their gift recognizes not only outstanding medical care but also the empathy and humanity that defined their experience.
Their children wanted to express their deep appreciation with the donation. In their words, “Joseph Brant Hospital has been part of our lives for generations. Our gift honours mom, her career, and the people who cared for her and our father like one of their own.”
For the Stewart family, the Gift of Gratitude is a tribute to a remarkable nurse, a mother and father’s legacy of four children, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and a hospital where care is delivered with excellence and heart.
Doug and Jodi Harrison know the value of community. For them, giving back isn’t just a gesture — it’s about bettering the place they call home. Joseph Brant Hospital has been a cornerstone for their family—from the birth of their daughter to caring for the everyday bumps, scrapes, and broken bones that come with raising children. Their connection runs even deeper today, with their son and daughter-in-law proudly serving as healthcare professionals.
“The care we’ve received has always been outstanding,” says Doug. “We’re so fortunate to have a hospital like Joseph Brant right here in our community.”
Their commitment to the hospital goes beyond gratitude. Over the years, they’ve supported the hospital in annual campaigns and with initiatives like Artscape, a 2021 event that raised $35,000 for mental health services and a new MRI machine. “That project showed how powerful it is when people come together,” Jodi says. “You could see exactly where the money went — the equipment, the programs, the care. Your money is going to something real, and you can see the results.”
Inspired to make a lasting difference, the Harrisons decided to make a legacy gift to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation — a way to ensure future generations have access to the same exceptional care their family has relied on.
“Legacy giving allows the hospital to plan for the future,” explains Jodi. “It’s ongoing support that helps meet changing needs — whether that’s new technology, mental health services, or more specialized care.”
Doug adds, “We’re lucky to have such excellent healthcare close to home, but we all share in the responsibility to help it grow. A healthy community is a strong community.”
When asked what they’d say to others considering a legacy gift, the Harrisons encourage everyone to think about what matters most. “For us, that’s healthcare,” says Doug. “Supporting the hospital means helping our neighbours and our families. We’ve chosen to make Burlington our home, and we want to help keep it a healthy one for generations to come.”
For Rajni Paun, donating to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation was a way to honour three very important people in his life while supporting healthcare close to home.
“This donation is made in memory of my late wife Aruna, and my parents Jagjivan and Kantaben,” said Raj. “My wife, Surekha (Sulu) and I want to keep their memories alive and also help people as they had done in their life.”
After receiving her education in Uganda, India, and Canada, Aruna qualified for an MSc. in Home Science and later went to the University of Manitoba to qualify as a Family Studies teacher. She wrote a vegetarian cookbook which became very popular and was reprinted twice in Canada.
“Aruna was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder, and she passed away after a very lengthy sickness in 2009,” said Raj.
Raj’s father, Jagjivan was born in India to a poor family, with three brothers and two sisters. Despite enormous financial difficulties, he studied humanity and law at Bombay University and qualified as a BA LLB. He moved to Uganda in 1939, choosing not to practice law but working as a large industrial firm manager.
“He was a strong believer in education and uplifting living standards of friends and family since he had gone through difficult times in educating himself,” said Raj. “He understood the importance of educating the younger generation and worked hard to uplift the lives of the people he came across.”
Through hard work, he managed to bring four uncles, two cousins and one aunt to Uganda and settle them. His cousins went on to become a Pharmacist in the United Kingdom, while the other was a gynaecologist in the United States.
“He was a very kind and giving soul and was a trustee of the Post Secondary Education Trust fund,” said Raj. “He particularly helped and played a major role in helping hundreds of students to go to universities and colleges, and many of these students are doctors, engineers, pharmacists etc.”
Raj’s mother, Kantaben, grew up as an orphan and lived in a girl’s boarding school in India. During her life, she was very active in the charitable women’s society in our hometown in Uganda, always willing to help those who needed help.
“She was a kind soul who was always taking care of the family while giving back,” said Raj. “She was warm-hearted and always looking out for others.”
Raj remembers when his mother had a stroke in India, and he had to take her to the hospital with his brother in the back of a truck as there was no ambulance service.
For Raj and Sulu, this memory is a driving force in their decision to support healthcare and their gift to support Joseph Brant Hospital was a meaningful way to honour these incredible individuals and make a difference in the lives of others in their community
For us, supporting our local hospital is critically important,” says Jeff and Susan Moore. “The path to a successful town, city, and country starts with the foundation of exemplary healthcare and strong educational systems, and everything follows from there.”
And they have always appreciated the exemplary care received at Joseph Brant Hospital. Two of their three children were born at JBH, and as Burlington residents, they take great pride in their community hospital.
Susan served on the JBH Foundation Board of Directors, and sat on the Our New Era campaign cabinet for the redevelopment and expansion of the hospital. In addition to her volunteer work, Susan and Jeff have been longstanding donors to the Foundation, most recently making a gift in support of the Mental Health & Addictions (MHA) program.
For the Moore’s, it was about making a difference to an issue that many in our community are facing.
“Everyone has had mental health hit close to home,” says Jeff. “That’s where we felt like we could really make a difference.”
For Susan, their support of the MHA, and specifically Prioritizing Health through Acute Stabilization and Transition (PHAST) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (CAPS), is helping JBH provide the care and compassion that people need to help them heal.
“I don’t know anyone that hasn’t had a family member struggle with a mental health issue at some point in their lives” she says. “Our family is no exception and so much of it is invisible. Getting the right care through supportive programs, in a facility that can provide compassionate state of the art care, should be no different than treating physical health issues.”
For the Moore family, being able to provide high-quality care in a dignified, healing space goes hand in hand to promote wellbeing.
“I would say ultimately the goal is to provide care in a space that is happy, uplifting and safe, both for the patients and staff.” says Susan.
For Frank and Carol Tristani, charitable giving has always been a passion, with a particular focus on making things better for people.
“We’ve always been passionate about healthcare and education,” says Carol. “It’s about caring about people.”
And for Frank and Carol, making a gift to the hospital in their estate was an easy way to leave a legacy of support.
“We live in this community and we talked about making a legacy gift to the hospital and decided the best time to do it was when we can do it together,” says Carol. “It was important that we had an open dialogue so that we both knew what we wanted to support and what we wanted our legacy to look like.”
With their bequest established and supporting priorities that resonates with them, the Tristani’s also wanted to make a gift that would benefit the hospital and the community sooner, and bridge their interest in healthcare and education.
The Frank and Carol Tristani Education Awards will provide eligible nurses, registered medical radiation technologists, or imaging technologists with a bursary to continue their professional development.
“We want to look more to what we’re doing in the future, not the past,” says Frank. “Hopefully whoever uses these scholarships are setting themselves up for the future.”
The impact that will be achieved through these awards will help staff achieve their personal goals while also having a direct and immediate impact on patient care.
Joseph Brant Hospital holds a lot of personal memories and meaning for donors, Kirk Tilley and Jane Travers. Donating to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation was an easy decision, and one that continues to be important to them.
“We’d be crazy not to renew our pledge. We’ve been involved in the hospital through our own experience but also through family and circumstances. Not only is the hospital an important part of our community, it also holds a lot of meaning for both of us personally,” says Kirk.
For Jane, Joseph Brant Hospital holds a lot of cherished memories, specifically involving her mother.
Having recently moved to the Burlington community in 1967, Jane’s mother Mary Lou Travers spent 25 years, from 1969 to 1994, as an Operating Room (OR) Nurse at JBH.
“My mother was a remarkable ambassador for the hospital as a care giver, surgical team member and peer. She impacted many people with her care, and this included patients, doctors, nurses, and support staff. She wanted the patients from the community to have the best possible experience, and it was important to her to be supportive of her peers as well,” says Jane.
Unfortunately, Mary Lou passed away when she was 56 years old from an aneurysm. “When my mother passed, I remember people in my community, especially colleagues and former patients, sharing stories about her and how much she touched the lives of so many,” says Jane. “My mother loved the hospital and was proud of how it helped those in her community. It meant so much to her.”
Jane wanted to honour Mary Lou by supporting JBH and leave a legacy at a place that holds special meaning to her and the Travers family. Kirk, like Jane, wanted to support the hospital in some capacity as a result of care he received.
Over 30 years ago, as he and Jane were preparing for their wedding, Kirk found himself not feeling well, and no one could seem to figure out what was wrong. Mary Lou wanted him to see one of the doctors at Joe Brant. A short time later, Kirk was admitted to the hospital and met with Dr. Sydney Gee.
“She was unbelievable. She knew something was wrong and instructed for multiple tests to be run – that day. She and all the doctors wanted to get to the bottom of it,” recalls Kirk.
“None of the test were conclusive, even the biopsies were coming back normal. Another biopsy was set up to be done in the OR and they did not give up until they found what they were looking for. Coming out of the surgery, the mystery was solved. I had, at the time, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
Kirk spent 8 months in the oncology clinic and was taken aback by the incredible care he received.
“The culture of the hospital was and still is incredible. Everyone involved ensured that I was cared for, I can’t speak enough for how compassionate each and every staff member was,” remembers Kirk.
Today, Jane and Kirk continue to have high hopes for JBH and want to see the hospital continue to sustain its compassionate and caring culture.
“JBH is a landmark here in Burlington. It’s something that is there for the community, and it’s important that in anyone’s time of need, they have a place to go to. I hope hospital’s longevity keeps going and provides a warm and welcoming space for their staff and community,” says Kirk.
“How fortunate are we to have a hospital in Burlington that continues to build it’s legacy through incredible expertise, compassionate care, utilizing advanced technology, and always looking to the future, and it is right here in the heart of our community and available to all of us,” says Jane.