Your Stories

Leaving a Legacy…

A message from past Foundation Board Chair, Dave Turner…

Our family has a long history with North Simcoe, and Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).  My wife was born at GBGH, as were two of our children. Over the years, our family has been to the hospital a number of times, and we have always received exceptional care.

Each year, we show our gratitude to our community hospital by making a donation through the Cornerstone Partners program.  Our contributions have helped to ensure critical equipment is available for patients at GBGH – ultrasound units, vital signs monitors, IV Infusion Pumps and a portable x-ray machine as examples.

As Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors for the past three years, I have seen incredible generosity from our community, which is so important.  Our community needs a vibrant hospital to grow, and prosper, and likewise, our hospital needs the community support to thrive today, and in the future.

One way we can all help our hospital continue to stay up to date with the most modern equipment and technology is through Legacy Giving – or planned giving.  Legacy giving is a great way for anyone, even those of limited means, to make a significant donation to the hospital. This can be done through your will or a life insurance policy and is a truly meaningful way to ensure a bright future for our community hospital. As a retired financial advisor, I had the opportunity to help many clients add a planned gift as part of their will; and as a member of the Board of Directors, I was witness to the wonderful impact that legacy gifts can have on patient care at Georgian Bay General Hospital.

For more information on Legacy Giving, please click here, or contact Nicole Kraftscik, Executive Director (kraftscikn@gbgh.on.ca or 705-526-1300 ext. 5340).

Learning to Believe

Three years ago, Ramona Anthony couldn’t move her arm. She couldn’t sit up. She couldn’t walk.  She’d suffered a devastating stroke and the left side of her body was paralyzed when she arrived at the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Emergency Department.

When Ramona, a mother of four and grandmother of eight, first arrived at GBGH, she was terrified that she would never get the opportunity to hold or bathe her newly born grandchild again.

Thankfully she immediately found the expert care and reassurance she needed in Dr. Ty Hervieux. “I’ll never forget Dr. Ty’s words,” says Ramona. “He asked me if I wanted the good news and I responded affirmatively. He told me the good news was that I was speaking to him and that I could fix the rest. That was the best news ever and just what I needed to hear. It gave me the will to win.”

“It was without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. I remember the sweat dripping from my face as I willed my thumb to move and when it did, I knew that with a lot of work, Dr. Ty was right and I could and would re-learn how to walk,” says Ramona.

And she did. Ramona quickly graduated from a wheelchair to a walker and just a few weeks later, she was able to go home with her sister, where she continued intensive outpatient rehab.

But she’ll never forget the compassion and kindness she experienced at GBGH.

“The hospital staff became like family to me,” says Ramona. “And even though I can’t remember all their names, I won’t ever forget their kindness. There was one wonderful nurse who found me crying on the therapeutic patio in my wheelchair one night and she changed her rounds to ensure that each night she would bring my medication last, to give me extra time to just listen and provide me with much-needed assurance. I truly felt that she was an angel sent straight from above.”

After Ramona’s stroke, she had the word “Believe” tattooed on the inside of her right wrist as a reminder that she could do it. This poignant reminder – and our community’s generosity – helped get her through the most difficult time of her life.