Message from Parker Jones
Published Monday, June 26, 2023
Message from Parker Jones
Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
Last month, I hosted my first in-person Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Chair's Reception. This is an opportunity as Chair to personally thank the Foundation's donors for their continued support and share with them the impact their donations have had on healthcare across Northwestern Ontario. It should have been my second, but coming in as Chair during COVID, nothing was as it should have been.
The Chair's Reception was a turning point for me, personally and regarding the Foundation. Since the beginning of COVID, my wife and I have had two children – which means, among other things, that we realize the importance of healthcare on a whole new level.
Likewise, we've experienced firsthand what it's like to travel for healthcare for a prolonged period. Just as people said: routines were hard to keep, we were missing family support, and living in an unfamiliar environment added unnecessary complications during a very stressful time. But experiencing it firsthand – you can't understand until it happens to you. Now more than ever, I appreciate how vital closer-to-home healthcare is and why we should do everything we can to bring healthcare home.
Thankfully, we are. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation gave over $14 million to support local healthcare in the past three years. That enabled the Foundation to give its two most significant single grants to date, purchasing vital cardiac and cancer care equipment.
And we are still going. With your support of Thunder Bay 50/50, the Foundation will contribute $3 million towards upgrades to our Emergency Department – perhaps the most used service at our Hospital. Your donation through ticket purchases will help improve the healthcare experience for over 100,000 patients and their families annually.
I'm also happy that all four of our Signature events are back to live, in-person events – yet another way our generous donors can help improve healthcare for everyone.
It's not lost on me what my family and I have gone through since I became Foundation Chair; we are fortunate that everyone is home and healthy. I want to spare as many families as possible the uncertainty and anxiety of travelling for healthcare by ensuring they can get the care they need right here at home. I hope you'll join me. Participate or attend an event this summer, buy your Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket or make that donation. Give hope and take away the heartache.
I know many families will thank you for it.
I wish you a happy and healthy summer.