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.
As we continue to live with the impacts of a global pandemic, we are still facing disruptions in our daily lives. We are searching for a new normal, and while we have all been affected, nobody has felt this more than the children.
Studies have shown that in the last year, more than 50% of children and adolescents have reported clinically significant depressive symptoms.
Children and adolescents have often been overlooked and underserved when it comes to the treatment of mental illness and the pandemic has greatly increased an already urgent need for early intervention and continuity of care throughout a child and adolescent’s care.
However, thanks to the generous support of donors like TD Bank Group, our Child and Adolescent Psychiatric (CAP) program has been there to provide youth, like Lindsay, with the right care at the right time.
Lindsay was struggling with asking for help.
“I come from a family that was always competitive, and wanting to be the best at whatever I did,” she said. “It always felt like there was no time to not be okay.”
When Lindsay was in her first year at Western University, she started to experience anxiety. She was living away from home for the first time and ended up leaving after her second year, feeling very alone and embarrassed to reach out.
“I thought I could push through whatever I was feeling,” she said.
Two years later, she felt like she was to the point that there was no passion or drive left. After a breakup with her boyfriend, and her first year not competing in competitive cheer after 18 years, it became too much to deal with.
“From then it was a continuous battle of many fights with my mom and built-up anger with my whole life to be breaking down,” she said. “The day I called my doctor and balled my eyes out was the first time I felt relief. She explained I was not alone in all the feelings I had.”
After undergoing treatment, Lindsay is the happiest she has ever been.
“I am so grateful for the hard times looking back because it only made me stronger and have a way more positive outlook on life and am a big mental health advocate,” she said. “I still deal with anxiety today, but now I know how to deal with it and how to better myself instead of going down a dark hole again.”
Through the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, TD is committed to supporting innovative solutions like the CAP Program that are working to improve adolescent health and helping create more equitable outcomes for all.
Over the past eight years, the CAP Program has seen a 400% increase in referrals, while providing a significant reduction in wait times. Prior to the pandemic, the CAP Program achieved zero wait time for appointments with a child and adolescent psychiatrist, nurse and social worker, down from 52 days in 2013.
The impact on children and adolescents has been particularly hard during the pandemic and, as a result, the CAP Program referrals have increased exponentially over the past 18 months. Loss of control, feelings of uncertainty, and changes to routine are contributing to symptoms of anxiety, low mood, adjustment disorders, eating disorders, and parent-child relational problems.
The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation is incredibly grateful to TD for their generosity in supporting leading practice healthcare in our community.
With their outstanding support, Joseph Brant Hospital will continue to deliver on our vision to provide compassionate care and exemplary service, every time for the youth and families in our community.
For sisters Christina Koli and Ann Legere, family and art are two of life’s treasures, and with their fashion accessory company Art Of Accessory (AOA), they have been able to combine the two.
“Starting an art-based business together is something we have always wanted to do, and the pandemic gave us the opportunity to do it,” said Ann.
Christina lives in Burlington with her husband, son and their golden retriever. When the pandemic began last year, she found herself off work and homeschooling her son.
It was her love for painting and her need for creating that led to the development of small ‘tiny gems’ paintings, which were more manageable to fit into her busy days. She painted flowers inspired by her daily walks and then heart paintings while thinking of all the frontline workers.
“I wanted to donate a painting to be printed and given as thank you cards to all the essential workers at JBH,” Christina says.
‘Magical Heart’ was the first of a series of paintings. ‘Courageous Heart’ and ‘Covid Blues’ paintings were later used on cards for the hospital.
Later in the year, Christina and Ann, who lives in Toronto with her husband, daughter and two sons, (when they are not away at school), launched Art of Accessory.
“It’s all very exciting and new, with so much to learn.” says Ann. “Christina and I have a very close relationship, and AOA gives us a chance to connect several times a day, which has been especially nice through this pandemic.”
The ‘Courageous Heart’ painting, inspired by the dedication of the frontline workers during COVID-19, was used in the design of silk scarves that were available for purchase, with proceeds going to support the hospital’s COVID-19 response. For the sisters, it was a small token of appreciation to the frontline staff.
“Our fundraiser grew out of the relationship developed from reaching out with the idea for the ‘thank you’ cards, and we thank JBH for allowing us to be actively involved with the hospital during these difficult times,” says Christina.
You can see their full line of accessories available at https://www.artofaccessory.com/.
“When I was 28, something happened to me that not only scared me but changed my life,” says Rose Ryan. “I was diagnosed with cancer.”
Rose was experiencing some symptoms and had gone to Joseph Brant Hospital where she was referred to Dr. Gee. They ran some tests and the results showed that Rose had a tumor in her thymus. Shortly after, Rose underwent more tests and surgery was scheduled.
“The staff at the hospital were incredible, efficient and mapped out the next steps in my treatment,” says Rose.
Soon after her diagnosis, she received her first chemotherapy treatment as an inpatient, which she continued to receive as an outpatient every three weeks for six months.
“I remember those hospital visits vividly. I cannot say enough about the staff at the hospital, and I will never forget the people who changed my life. I still remember every nurse, social worker, hospital staff, and doctor who helped me during this difficult time,” says Rose.
Rose discusses how the staff went above and beyond to ensure that she was cared for and every Hospital visit made her feel like she was at home. “Not only did I receive such exceptional care, but I also witnessed the staff interact with other patients and saw how they truly cared for all of us,” says Rose.
Today, Rose cherishes every moment with her family. “As I watch my children grow and think about their endless possibilities, I thank Joseph Brant Hospital for giving me care and the courage to persevere,” says Rose.
After receiving her diagnosis, Rose started about thinking about her husband and the importance of having her affairs in order. “I wanted to make sure our family was supported. I thought about what my children may face in their future, and I wanted to ensure that I could help them,” says Rose.
Not only did Rose think about her immediate family, but she also thought about the families in her community.
“At one point or another, we will all know someone who needs to use the services of the hospital. And that was why I decided to give my support to a hospital that took care of me during a trying time through a gift in my will,” says Rose.
Legacy gifts ensure that Joseph Brant Hospital continues to be there for the community in the moments that matter by providing quality care. Rose explains, “Legacy gifts make a profound impact on the future of our healthcare. The future of Joseph Brant Hospital is filled with so many possibilities, and I believe it’s important that we support one another so our community can continue to thrive.”
For Rose, her legacy will be that she was able to give a gift to Joseph Brant Hospital that will allow them to continue to provide exceptional care in a well-equipped facility.
“No matter the amount, your gift is impacting healthcare close to home and is benefiting the families in your community, and for the future generations,” says Rose.
It was a cold day in February 1979 when Linda Draddy, age 31, moved to Burlington, Ontario with her husband and two young daughters. It was a six-hour journey from New Liskeard, in northeastern Ontario, where access to urgent medical care was limited.
Linda had just been diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis, a rare liver disorder that, left untreated, could be fatal. Fatigue, aching joints, nausea and abdominal pain are common symptoms that Linda experienced. However, the late 70s was an era long before you could look up health information online.
“We had no computers, and there wasn’t a lot of information available,” recalls Linda. “I was in a new city, we knew no one, and I was doing my best to take care of my daughters while very ill.”
The difficult early stages of Linda’s disorder led her to seek out and receive treatment – the first step in a long road to recovery – from a gastrointestinal specialist at Joseph Brant Hospital.
“I was in very bad shape and was admitted to Jo Brant for two weeks. My blood levels were very low and I received 21 shots of vitamin K and 16 bags of plasma, before my first biopsy could be performed. After that, I did whatever the doctor told me to do and what to watch out for with my condition.”
In the following years, Linda returned to JBH many times for intravenous treatment whenever she became sick and she also visited specialists at surrounding hospitals to receive care, until finally the time came when she was recommended for a liver transplant.
It took 18 long months on a wait list until that day in early August 2003 – one day after the great blackout that hit the northeastern US and Ontario – when Linda got the call that would change her life. A compatible liver match was found and she was asked to prepare for the journey to London, Ontario for the transplant surgery.
After arriving and undergoing all of the preparatory blood work and X-Rays, Linda’s hopes were nearly dashed when cancer cells were detected on the donated liver; however, two weeks after that devastating news, another new organ was found and, at the end of August, Linda returned to London and received her liver transplant.
Just as Linda and her family made the long journey to start a new life in Burlington, where she resides today, her journey to recovery from her illness was long and arduous. But, thanks to many health providers along the way; the life-sustaining care she received at JBH in the years before her transplant; and the one individual who made that crucial decision to be an organ donor, Linda has enjoyed many more fulfilling years of life.
She was able to live and see her young daughters grow up and walk down the aisle. She was also able to witness the joy of seeing her five grandchildren born at JBH, bringing Linda’s experience at JBH full circle.
“I could not have received better treatment than I did at Jo Brant,” says Linda. “If it wasn’t for the care I received there in those early days, I would not be here today.”
Linda’s gratitude has extended towards her raising funds for the hospital over the years through Mother’s Day teas at her church. She is also a passionate advocate for organ donation awareness, giving many speeches at events since receiving her transplant.
“I urge everyone to have that ‘kitchen table’ talk with their family – make it known what your wishes are should something happen, before it is too late. Please make sure you sign up to be a donor. Go online to beadonor.ca and register your consent,” says Linda.
“It only takes two minutes to register to save a life. Just like mine.”
In 2019, Doris Sinclair and her husband Charles were spending winter at their Florida home when she started to experience difficulty walking and found herself short of breath. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with heart failure.
Immediately, the Sinclairs flew back to Burlington where Doris was admitted to Joseph Brant Hospital. She underwent a number of tests, and was prescribed medication to assist with the issues.
In May, Doris found herself struggling to walk again. She went back to the hospital, was admitted for several days and ended up getting a pacemaker installed. She was cared for by doctors and nurses in the Joseph Brant Hospital Heart Function Clinic, in particular, Karen Antoni. Both Doris and Charles were impressed with the level of care she received.
“I have only good words for Joseph Brant Hospital,” says Doris. “All the doctors and nurses were so good and attentive to me. Karen was so kind, she went above and beyond to ensure that I was taken care of.”
Doris and Charles donated $25,000 to the Cardiology Department at Joseph Brant Hospital in gratitude for the excellent experience she had there. “My husband and I talked to each other about the great care I had received. We wanted to make a donation to the hospital and show our appreciation,” says Doris. “Everyone was so thoughtful, caring and compassionate to me. I’ll never forget that.”
When seven-year-old Aileen found herself feeling uncertain during the COVID-19 pandemic and missing her friends, she found a way to take her mind off things.
“She would quietly go to her room and begin making bracelets,” says Lisa, Aileen’s mother. “She made so many that she wanted to do something with them and came up with the idea to sell them and donate the money to Joseph Brant Hospital to help the hospital fight against COVID-19.”
Soon after, Aileen’s nine-year-old brother Rory followed suit. When he realized his birthday was coming up, he decided to ask for donations instead of gifts. “My children both wanted to help the hospital because they believe it will help everyone get closer to their friends and family,” says Lisa.
In total, Aileen and Rory raised an incredible $508 in donations for Joseph Brant Hospital’s COVID-19 response.
Lisa shared how much she admires her children, who, like many, are trying to understand COVID-19.
“Following new standards during the COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly a strange and confusing time. But for children, it is a new ground to walk on,” says Lisa. “Children are trying to find a place in this changing environment.”
For Beverley Brandreth-Carbin, Joseph Brant Hospital will always hold a special place in her heart.
She served as the ward clerk in the emergency department for almost two decades and it was at JBH where she met her husband, Dr. Robert Carbin who she married in 1998.
As a lifelong Burlington resident, she recognizes the importance of supporting our community hospital.
“We’re the number one city in Canada,” she says. “And no one has a hospital as beautiful.”
Beverley has included JBH in her estate plans as a legacy gift from her and her children.
“Down the road, we’ll all need the hospital, and I’m proud that the Brandreth family will continue to support our community hospital.”