COVID-19 Update #13

Message from the President & CEO

July 22, 2020

We often have much to be grateful for, and in times like these, I am particularly grateful for the compassion of our community and our generous donors. During this update, I would like to celebrate you, by sharing some of the ways we experience your generosity every day.

Recently we held a Virtual Forum, hosted by CTV’s Nick Paparella, in place of our annual Donor of Distinction President’s Dinner. The Virtual Forum was a way for LHSC senior leaders to share an insider’s view during the COVID-19 pandemic, what has happened, what is happening and what is coming. I encourage you to watch the video to hear directly from these leaders, including Dr. Douglas Fraser, who discusses research studies being done to identify potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19 – all made possible through donors like you. Click here to watch.

A staple in the community for many years has been the Dream Lottery that supports London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London and Children’s Hospital at LHSC. Since 1996, Dream Lottery has raised almost $40 million to help provide vital resources, research and specialized services for these regional hospitals. Although someone will win a house or $1 million, the real winners are the patients and families in our hospitals that benefit from the money raised. Now more than ever, our hospitals need us, and you were there. Even though the houses were only viewed through virtual tours this year, it did not stop our community from buying tickets and dreaming about winning. This year’s lottery sold out in record time, with record-breaking results. I’m truly grateful to everyone who stepped up and purchased tickets for the Spring DREAM LOTTERY, especially during this particularly challenging time. Stay tuned for an announcement on an earlier draw date in August.

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, virtual events and stream-a-thons are the new norm. Even though this is all new, we are continuing to experience tremendous participation from our community, which shows how much the hospital, the staff and everyone involved in keeping us safe and healthy is valued by our donors. We offer some fun, unique and interesting ways to get involved with LHSF and below are just a few examples.

  1. Head and Neck Above Cancer is going virtual, and since the event is now online, there is more than one day to participate. The walk/run will be from August 16th, 2020 to August 23rd, 2020 in support of head and neck cancer research. For more details, to donate or to register, please visit Head & Neck Above Cancer.
  2. If participating in an event is not your thing, but shopping is, we have the solution for you. Free + Company and Five One Nine Clothing are clothing companies that are run by young entrepreneurs that want to give back to the community. Free + Company is a lifestyle apparel brand that is donating a portion of the proceeds to support The Baker Centre for Pancreatic Cancer. Five One Nine Clothing recently launched their Stronger Together tees and 100% of the proceeds are going to LHSF in support of FEMAP. Sales are off the charts, so don’t miss your chance to purchase and support LHSF.
  3. Another great way to get involved is through the Head & Neck Million Dollar Match. The doctors in the Head and Neck Clinic at LHSC have banded together and pledged to match up to $500,000 for Head & Neck Cancer research. We are so close to reaching our Million Dollar Match and patient Candace Miller wanted to do her part to close the gap. To read her story and donate please visit Million Dollar Match – Candace Miller’s story.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Please enjoy these warm summer days with family and friends and continue to stay safe and well.

Please check back frequently and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. Please visit the hospital’s website for current information about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your family.

Together, we will get through this.

Regards,

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