By Denise Bacon
Thanks to the generosity of donors from across the GTA, the “Love, Scarborough”campaign has officially raised $200 million! Large and small donations, fundraising events and perseverance contributed to this big number.
But this is more than a number ‒ it’s a powerful testament to the belief in Scarborough, our people, and our hospitals. It represents 200 million moments of impact across Scarborough Health Network.
Together, we’ve elevated the standard of care for one of Canada’s most diverse and vibrant communities, and this milestone is only the beginning.
For too long, Scarborough has been the underdog ‒ underfunded and underestimated. The people and businesses in Scarborough and the GTA helped us change that. From expanding emergency care to advancing mental health services, from new equipment to cutting-edge research ‒ every dollar, every moment, every belief in Scarborough has made a difference.
We could say thank you 200 million times, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
The quest for continually improving health care continues as does the need for funding. In Ontario, government funding covers buildings and infrastructure. Donations are needed to purchase equipment and services within the buildings.
Watch for the new “Love, Scarborough” campaign coming this fall and, if you can, please donate to our hospitals: shnfoundation.ca
200 Million Moments
By Randell Adjei
I believe in the power of Alchemy
the gifts that we all have to transform
life’s rocky moments
into golden opportunities.
The gift we’ve been given
to make a difference
to uplift others beyond the limits
imposed upon them.
Thank you for your hands and hearts
this poem was written to honour
and share our gratitude for you
for rejuvenating the pulse
of our love in Scarborough
today, our hearts beat
with a steadier pace.
You raised a torch, and lit a brighter way,
championed our pleas
and answered our campaign
Where there were once shadows,
there are more promising days.
Faith the size of an Atom
has unified us to celebrate on this eve.
Since our beginnings
what was perceived as our crutch,
our cane,
has made us able.
We are a community
that has always known how to climb above
our plights, ceilings and labels
We’ve always been on the fringes
seldom at the decision making tables.
Your generosity
Is helping metamorphosize a health care system
Historically doing so much with so few
patiently awaiting to emerge from its cocoon
the transmutation has begun
Thanks to all the advocates and donors
here in this room.
$200 million raised
200 million moments of impact
200 million reasons why
Each act of beneficence
deserves its own spotlight.
It goes beyond the numbers
This is about lives changed, forever
The gifts you gave worth more than gold.
It’s legacy, it’s lives retold
and fate rewritten
you made the difference
by helping us get to the root of the problem
with the right prescription.
With Love
The Scarborough Way
Managing to climb uphill
Where there was never a path paved anyways.
In our love letter
We asked you to back us up
and you showed up big, you showed up loud.
This night is about lives permanently changed,
futures rearranged
Children who can now dream because you chose to care
Mothers who can heal
and fathers who can breathe new air.
You picked up the Baton
and relayed the message step by step
Although monumental,
this isn’t a finish line.
It’s a launchpad for what’s next.
We are all here with a heartfelt tribute
to thank you for nurturing Scarborough souls,
and helping us transform our health care
to achieve our goals
In honouring our courage, our resilience and might,
Together, we celebrate this milestone,
and continue this journey
in spreading Scarborough’s unwavering light.