COVID-19 Update #10

Message from the President & CEO

May 13, 2020

Over the past several weeks, we have been asking a lot of you. And your support has been so inspiring. Your donations, both financial and in-kind, are truly making a difference at our hospital and are providing much needed support to the front-line heroes fighting this battle. I couldn’t be prouder of our amazing community!

This is National Nursing Week. I’d like to thank all the nurses who are working tirelessly to ensure the health and well being of the patients at LHSC. My daughter is a nurse and I hear, first hand, of the challenges she faces going to work everyday. But I also know that, like all nurses and front-line workers, she is committed to the health and well being of her patients, regardless of the risk she faces. Thank you to all front-line workers for your bravery, compassion, and tireless devotion!

In recognition of their efforts, I’d like to share the impact your donations are having in the fight against COVID-19 at our hospital.

I am pleased to say that through your generosity, LHSC has been able to acquire PPE, ICU beds, glidescopes and ventilators. We have funded ground breaking research to establish effective treatments for critically ill patients. In addition, we are finding ways to support the workers who are on the front-lines each and every day. Healthy snacks have been purchased that are giving sustenance to staff during long shifts, a 24/7 peer support system has launched to help ICU staff cope with the stressful environment, there are dedicated quiet-rooms at each hospital for staff to take much-needed breaks, and virtual fitness and wellness classes have begun to encourage maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

As a foundation, we have had to adjust the way we do things, just like everyone else. Our innovative and creative staff and dedicated volunteers have worked day and night to respond to these changing times and to find ways to respond to the wishes and needs of our donors. As a result, a number of new and innovative initiatives have been deployed.

April 29, 2020, our generous partners at the 14 London McDonald’s locations began asking customers to donate $5 and in return they receive a coffee or tea and a “Support our Heroes of Health” bumper sticker.  All proceeds are supporting both the COVID-19 Response Fund and FEMAP (First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program at LHSC).  So far, the total raised is $15,000 and counting! Please visit your local McDonald’s location to support!

On May 5, 2020, we celebrated GivingTuesdayNow. Thanks to Fairstone Financial Inc., who provided a matching gift of $10,000, we raised $23,000 in support of our front-line staff through the Health Care Heroes Staff Assistance Fund. To learn more about the fund please click here.

Thanks to these gifts and hundreds more, we have raised almost $1 Million to date for our front-line workers. Although this fight is not over, through your generosity we are better prepared now than ever before. I am so profoundly grateful.

This past weekend, in keeping with safe distancing protocols, the annual Run for Ovarian Cancer on Mother's Day weekend (May 8-10) was turned into a virtual event. The 18th annual London Walk or Run for Ovarian Cancer raised $105,999 with donations still coming in and proceeds going toward Ovarian Cancer research!

Please visit our website to learn about all the ways you can support our hospital, how your donations have already helped and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates. Please visit the hospital’s website for current information about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your family.

As we see fewer cases of COVID-19, there is a renewed sense of optimism. Slowly, and with an abundance of caution, the government is opening up our province to business. This is only happening because all of us were, and continue to be, committed to physical distancing and flattening the curve. I believe we will look back on this time with tremendous pride for how our community came together and how we persevered.

Once again, thank you to each and every person who has donated to London Health Sciences Foundation. Each donation plays an integral part in keeping us safe and healthy. Your generosity has given us the greatest gift of all…hope.

Together, we will get through this.

Regards,

John MacFarlane, BBA, LL. B, MPA
President & CEO
London Health Sciences Foundation