Jonathan Laceda has been riding his bike since he was a kid. His bike is part of who he is… just like St. Joe’s, where he has worked for more than 30 years. “St. Joe’s holds a special place in my life. I grew up here and consider this home,” he says. “My children were all born here and my coworkers are my family.”
“I grew up at St. Joe’s and consider this home.”
This year, Jonathan’s two passions will come together on September 20th when he hops on his bike to Cycle 4 St. Joe’s and ride as a West End Warrior to raise critical funds for St. Joe’s. Jonathan is the manager, Medical Device Reprocessing & Perioperative Inventory, and riding with Team Surgery, a group of physicians, nurses and staff who have been riding together for several years in this event to honour the Health Centre’s surgical team. “I’m riding for the frontline heroes of the surgical program,” he states proudly.
The surgical program at St. Joe’s is committed to keeping our St. Joe’s Promise—to meet the health needs of the west-end community by providing the best possible surgical and clinic services. St. Joe’s has 10 operating rooms and three Cystoscopy Rooms, performing 12,000 surgeries per year. The team is made up of several disciplines, including nurses and attendants, surgeons, anaesthesiologists, clerical, and procurement.
Even during the COVID pandemic, the team has been working continuously to provide west end Toronto with as much service as safely as possible. For Jonathan, it’s personal. “Not only do I work at St. Joe’s, I live in this neighbourhood too, he explains. “my entire family has needed services at some point—well, more than once!”
“My entire family has needed services at some point—well, more than once!”
While this year’s ride is a little different because we can’t gather together, riders will take up the challenge on their own, as a family or team. Riders can choose to Cycle 4 St. Joe’s inside or outside on a suggested west-end route or one of their own.
Jonathan and his family plan to ride locally with the goal to raise funds and awareness of the event within the community. They’re showing their pride for the west end Toronto’s generosity. “Our community has been a terrific in showing their support in different ways to our teams standing up on the frontlines every day to care for our neighbours.”
You can show your support by becoming a West End Warrior and riding with Jonathan on September 20th or donating to Team Surgery.
Visit cycle4stjoes.ca to sign-up or donate today.