Canada’s finest palliative care centre
As soon as the elevator doors opened to St. Joseph’s Health Centre’s Lake House Palliative Care Centre, Enrico Galante looked at his father Luigi and saw a look of amazement. “I said ‘this is like a resort.’”
It was a different atmosphere than Luigi’s previous two months in hospital, and Enrico says it made “a world of difference not only for his dad, but for the entire family.”
Luigi called his son in April knowing he had to go to Emergency—he was experiencing shortness of breath due to a severe lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis. The paramedics brought him to St. Joe’s, which Enrico says was fitting since it was where he was born and where his dad had spent some time before. “St. Joe’s is in our family.” Luigi was becoming increasingly frail, and Enrico and his sister, Diana, knew their father wouldn’t be able to come home. “All of a sudden, it felt like we were in charge of our dad’s life.” For two months, Luigi stayed on the second floor at St. Joe’s. He received great care, but visiting was limited due to lack of space. Then Luigi moved to the Lake House Pallia¬tive Care Centre the day after it opened and “everything changed. I said to my dad, this is paradise.” When Luigi arrived at the Lake House, he had a look of amazement—the space made a world of difference to him and his family.”
The new Lake House Palliative Care Centre does not feel like a clinical space, instead it reflects the comforts and ambience of a lakeside retreat—this was the vision of the family whose transformative gift, in honour of the care their wife and mother received, made the new centre possible. The Galante Family is so grateful to you and our community of donors who have given generously to St. Joe’s over the years that it took to make this space a reality. The 15,000 square foot space with views of Lake Ontario is designed to provide family-based care in private rooms with amenities for loved ones. It also features an outpatient clinic— a first for St. Joseph’s and one of the few in west Toronto—to provide day treatment and support for patients who choose to receive palliative care at home.
Luigi Galante | St. Joes Patient
“The care was special the minute we walked in,” says Enrico. “The team had a certain magic in speaking to dad and a unique way of handling situations with care. My dad was a social butterfly who loved his family. We are so grateful we could come together to spend his final days by his side.”
A SPOOKtacular Celebration
Our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who joined us to celebrate the best care experiences our community has made possible.
Our very own Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, Chief of Pediatrics, joined to remind us that each year, we provide care for over 14,000 pediatric emergency visits, welcome 3200+ babies into the world, and support 500,000 neighbors in need.
Your support enables us to enhance care for our kids and their families. Thank you!
A Ride of Gratitude!
Thanks to your incredible support, the 11th annual Cycle 4 St. Joe’s was an extraordinary success.
Together, we raised an awe-inspiring $465,000 to bolster St. Joe’s mission. This generous contribution will fuel an ongoing transformation, enhancing our patient care facilities to create a better experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Your kindness and dedication truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and our community.
A Swing of Thanks!
We are overjoyed to share that the 20th Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament was a remarkable achievement, raising over $411,000 in support of advancing healthcare at St. Joe’s.
Your unwavering support and generosity are the backbone of our progress, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for being an essential part of our journey. We deeply appreciate your continued support, which empowers us to make a lasting impact on healthcare and create a brighter, healthier future for all.
Thank you for improving 30+ areas of care across St. Joe’s
This year, we opened the finest palliative care centre in the country, launched a new breast cancer screening and treatment centre, and completed the first phase of the emergency department expansion. Whether it’s cutting-edge equipment, inspiring spaces, or innovative treatments, you are making a profound difference in the lives of our neighbours, friends, and families.
Read the full report, and you will see firsthand the tangible impact of your donations. Everywhere you look throughout the hospital, you will see the impact of your support. We are grateful to all our donors like you, who have been with us every step of the way. Your support has done so much, but there is still more to do. We need your support now and in the future for the largest transformation ever