When Thane Munn was diagnosed with cancer, his approach was pragmatic and no-nonsense. He strived to maintain normalcy in his life, and the lives of his family.
“He did not want the cancer diagnosis to define him. He wanted to beat it and move on,” explained his wife Kathryn.
Through his treatment, Thane came to appreciate the quality of care provided by the staff at the Joseph Brant Hospital Cancer Clinic.
“He wanted people to know about the great works that the clinic did, and continues to do,” said Kathryn. “He was always praising the clinic team – staff and volunteers alike – for their professionalism, compassion, sincerity, and humanness. They became akin to family members.”
Thane firmly believed in giving back to the community. He volunteered as often as he could. He was heavily involved in the Burlington Eagles Hockey Club, and joined his friends Angelo and Diane Bentivegna as an original member of the organizing committee for the Beauty and the Bistro; Be Our Guests, Save Our Breasts Event. The event went on to raise $450,000 over three years to purchase a digital mammography machine with biopsy attachment for Joseph
Brant Hospital.
Having seen first-hand the impact that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have on an individual and their family, Thane saw the benefits of early diagnosis and quality care and the impact that this technology could have in the lives of so many people.
While undergoing bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments, Thane asked his wife Kathryn to bake cookies for the staff as a thank you for their ongoing work and support. Shortly after, when he learned that funding to provide cookies to the patients and their families was no longer available, he stepped up and provided the necessary annual financial support to ensure the patients’ cookies continued to be available, a proud tradition that Kathryn, and their children
Zachary and Jessica continue.
“For Thane, the cookies provided a perk – a little something to keep the patients occupied and provide a sense of normalcy for them in an otherwise stressful situation, which was very important to him,” said Kathryn.
Over the years, Thane became a familiar face around JBH, and a dear friend and advocate of the Foundation. Known for his “big bear” personality and dry sense of humour, he often attended and spoke at events, helping to raise money for the Foundation by sharing his patient experience and encouraging others to support their community hospital.
After a courageous battle, Thane passed away in June 2015, but his spirit and commitment continue to live on through a legacy gift to the Foundation to be directed to capital improvements to be made to the Cancer Clinic as part of the Redevelopment and Expansion project.
Thane explained his decision to support the new Hospital project to Kathryn very clearly.
“I’m someone who planned and built schools for more than twenty years, Thane explained. I’m a capital works guy”, she said.
For Thane, Kathryn, Zachary and Jessica, continued support of Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation is about understanding and improving the patient experience, and the experience for their family.
“If our support can in some way – however small – make the next patient’s experience less frightening, less stressful and more comforting, educational, and efficient – then it is worth it,” said Kathryn.
Each McHappy Day, Ralph and Susan Sgro donate the proceeds raised in their Burlington and Waterdown McDonald’s locations to Joseph Brant Hospital’s Maternal & Child Program.
“One of the core values of McDonald’s is giving back to the Community where you work and live,” said Susan.
Since 1988, the Sgro’s have actively and generously supported Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. In that time, the Hospital’s Special Care Nursery, Maternal and Child Family Sitting Room, Ambulatory Care program, Nina’s Place, the Critical Needs Fund and the Tomorrow is Here Capital Campaign have all benefited from their philanthropy.
The Sgro’s also continue their leadership support through the Our New Era Campaign, with Ralph taking a leadership role as Vice Chair of its Campaign Cabinet.
“At one time or another, we’re all going to use the Hospital, so it’s wonderful to be part of the redevelopment,” said Susan.
Helping to shape and build our Community is linked to quality health care for the Sgro’s.
“There’s a lot of pleasure in seeing the results of contributing to the Community,” said Ralph. “I think letting individuals know the importance of good health care is probably the most important thing we can do for our Community.”
Joseph Brant Hospital has been a part of Betty Anne Millar’s life for over 40 years. Betty Anne and her husband Murray settled in Burlington 48 years ago. As a resident of the ever growing Burlington community, Betty Anne knows how important it is to have a world class hospital to serve our community’s needs.
Betty Anne has also served volunteer terms on both the Hospital Board of Governors and the Foundation Board of Directors, including having played an instrumental role in raising the initial capital to establish the Foundation through a community fundraiser.
Like many in our community, Betty Anne also has a more personal connection to Joseph Brant Hospital. It was September 2012, as Betty Anne was sitting in the Family Room of the ICU, reality hit her with the recognition that her life was about to change forever. Her husband, Murray, was in the Intensive Care Unit and passed away three days later. For Betty Anne, supporting the Our New Era Campaign is a way to honour her husband.
“After donating The Quiet Room in the ICU in memory of Murray, I decided to donate The Family Room as well,” said Betty Anne. “This was a unique opportunity to donate in each of our names and have two adjoining rooms that will provide comfort to friends and families when their loved ones are ill.”
After Murray’s passing, Betty Anne began to think about how she could continue to support Joseph Brant Hospital after she is no longer here. It was at this time that she decided to leave a more meaningful gift in her will to benefit the Hospital. Betty Anne wanted to ensure that future generations will continue to receive the very best care, while remaining close to home.
“I have committed a Transformational Gift in my estate plans to our new Hospital,” she said. “I encourage others to consider a gift to the Our New Era Campaign. It is an investment in our Community for future generations. There is truly no other place a legacy gift will have such an impact on our entire city.”
Today, Betty Anne continues to volunteer her time to the Hospital. For the past six years, she has been coming to the Hospital for weekly pastoral care visits with patients and their families.
“I hear from so many patients who are filled with gratitude for the care they are receiving at Joseph Brant. Time and time again, I hear from these families that the staff at Joseph Brant Hospital are some of the most caring and respectful people. It is these individuals that help make the Hospital such a special place.”
For more information about making a legacy gift, please click here.
For Dr. Brendan Chiu, supporting the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation was a way to give back to the community which has supported him for so long. He first joined Joseph Brant Hospital in 1973, and has seen first-hand the changes in the community.
“Burlington is expanding, and now the hospital is expanding, too,” he said. “I’m excited to see we are getting a new hospital.”
For Dr. Chiu and his wife Katherine, their son Stephen’s passion for singing was their inspiration for an event in support of the Foundation. The Chiu’s hosted An Evening of Song at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in October 2014.
The event featured Stephen performing songs from Les Misérables to Michael Bublé.
“I was so happy to get a chance to see him perform in tha setting,” said Dr. Chiu. “He really showed he’s a performer.”
The evening saw over 440 people come out, raising more than $20,000 for the Foundation. And while it was a lot of effort personally for Dr. Chiu, he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing his son perform.
Dr. Chiu proudly displays a story about the event, and photos of his son on stage in his medical office on Guelph Line, but it was the feedback from those who attended which make him the most proud.
“Months later, I was approached in the parking lot of the bank, and someone told me they attended the event and wanted to say thank you, and tell me how impressed they were,” he said. “It made my day to hear that.”
For Dr. Chiu, supporting Joseph Brant Hospital was an easy decision, and a family affair and he encourages others to think about how they can support our local Hospital.
“We were quite happy to give a hand and help out to some degree,” he said. “It all starts with the thought ‘Maybe I can do something – it doesn’t have to be a big thing.”
For videos from An Evening of Song, visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/lovetosingforfun/videos
When Jim Suske’s company was purchased by Royal Bank, Jim and his wife Bev Livingston could have moved anywhere in Southwestern Ontario for his new role with RBC.
The couple had been living in Calgary, and were looking for a new community to call home, and had a few wish list items including proximity to the lake, easy access to Toronto, and a walkable city.
In the end, they chose Burlington and are glad they did.
“We love Burlington because it feels like a small town community, with top quality restaurants, and everything we need is within walking distance,” said Jim.
Being new to the area, the couple reached out to the Hospital Foundation for a tour of the Hospital. They were long-time supporters of the Hospital in Bev’s hometown of Barrie, and understand the role that Hospitals play in a community.
“I had a tour of the Hospital in Calgary, and thought it was a good way to get to know our new community,” said Bev. “We are all going to need the Hospital at some point in our lives, so we should support the Hospital in the community we live in.”
For Bev, that time came sooner than she was hoping as she broke her foot playing badminton. She was extremely grateful for the care she received both in the emergency department, and ongoing with the fracture clinic and is pleased to able to be walking more again.
In addition making a donation to the Foundation, Jim volunteers on the executive committee for the CAAAR! 3 on 3 Road Hockey Tournament.
“The number one reason I got involved was that I`ve always been interested in philanthropy,” said Jim. “And I have a connection to hockey, as I played when I was younger and so did my son.”
In the end, Jim and Bev believe that supporting the Hospital is an investment in their own future.
“We all need the Hospital,” said Bev. “The Hospital is going to be there for all of us.”
As a former paramedic, Alf Peterson knew something was wrong in January 2014. He was suffering with what he called an “annoying dry cough” that wasn’t getting any better. In fact, his breathing was become more laboured, despite the absence of any pain. Growing concerned, he unlocked his front door, dialled 9-1-1 and proceeded to pass out.
As a former paramedic, Alf Peterson knew something was wrong in January 2014. He was suffering with what he called an “annoying dry cough” that wasn’t getting any better. In fact, his breathing was become more laboured, despite the absence of any pain. Growing concerned, he unlocked his front door, dialled 9-1-1 and proceeded to pass out.
His memories of what happened next are hazy and include the EMT’s attending to him in his home, transporting him to the ambulance, and the familiar sound of the siren en route to Joseph Brant Hospital, a sound he’d heard many times during his career.
When he woke up in the Intensive Care Unit at JBH, he was informed that he had suffered a heart attack.
Mr Petersen has returned to JBH regularly in the years since for regular checkups, and has received “super” treatment each and every visit from the staff, who he says are “just like family now.”
As a Burlington resident, he sees the tremendous growth taking place and understands the importance of having quality healthcare close to home. He’s seen it first hand.
Mr Petersen has joined our Dedicated Donors Club with a monthly donor to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. Monthly donations provide reliable, timely funding for critical needs and supports healthcare close to home.
Monthly gifts join together to have a tremendous impact for patients and the dedicated medical professionals committed to providing compassionate care at Joseph Brant Hospital.
Like many families, Adam and Christine Doering have had their share of experiences at their local community Hospital. Both of the Doering’s daughters, Madison, 9 and Charlotte, 2 were born at Joseph Brant Hospital, and Adam’s brother, Mark, was treated at JBH when he was first diagnosed with brain cancer.
The Doering family supports the Maternal and Child Unit, having seen first-hand the quality care provided to parents and their newborns at one of the happiest and often overwhelming times in their lives.
“All of our families have in one way or another gone to Joseph Brant Hospital for care,” said Adam. “We need to make sure the Hospital has all the resources to give the community the best care possible.”
As lifelong Burlington residents, Adam & Christine believe that the incredible level of support for the Hospital is one of the things that make this community such a special place to live.
“We have been inspired by a number of people we know who have made wonderful contributions to the community. Excellent healthcare is very important to any community, and to us, supporting the Hospital is supporting Burlington.”
For Adam and Christine and their family, their support will have long lasting benefits.
“The investments we make in Joseph Brant Hospital today will ensure better care for us, and for our loved ones for years to come,” said Adam.