Dear Friends of The Grace,

This is not our usual spring update letter to you, our generous supporters. These are challenging times at The Grace, in our city, our country and indeed in the world.

When 2020 began, we chose a theme for the year, “Embrace the Grace”, and looked ahead with great enthusiasm to the possibilities.  We planned our first fund-, friend- and awareness-raising event for May 14.  In a few short weeks, all has changed.  Our event has been postponed and our fundraising focus has changed to address the urgent needs at our hospital.

As with other health care facilities, we are doing what we can to protect our patients and staff from COVID-19, and in light of that, we have suspended many activities.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has reached out to The Grace and asked that beds be made available at The Grace for patients requiring ventilators who are currently in Toronto area ICU’s in acute care facilities.  This will then open up those ICU beds to treat COVID-19 patients.  In order to do so, we must purchase the ventilators.  We have been authorized to buy up to 20.  The capital cost for 20 ventilators is $600,000.  Thank you to our first donors Glenn and Brenda Foden for stepping up to the plate to kick-off this appeal.

We are also in need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our front-line staff.  This is in short supply but we have all heard of the corporate and manufacturing communities who are stepping forward to alter their product lines to attempt to meet this need. 

We greatly appreciate all those who have reached out to help us at this critical time in so many ways.  Thank you on behalf of all at The Grace.

It is extraordinary to see the world coming together in ways that only a crisis can create.  We are all in this together.  No one is exempt from the impact of the COVID-19.  This is a stunning moment in history.

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize our staff for all they are doing during these challenging times to support our patients and their families in providing exceptional and compassionate care for all.

We pray you and yours are safe and well.

Jake Tran                                                                                Patti Carmichael Pilon
President and CEO                                                               Director of Giving