Patient Stories

“You are my sunshine, my constant sunshine” When Judy Paterson was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020, she was told she might only have a few of months left to live. Nearly three years later, the 82-year-old retired teacher is still going strong. She points to four pillars in her life that keep her motivated.… Continue Reading Together, our community is caring for Judy Paterson

Guelph General Hospital deserves a gold star! At least that’s what Ellen Thomson, a retired public school teacher, suggests about her experience over the past year. In May of 2022, Ellen found out, to her dismay, that she would need two hip replacements. She was aware of the buzz about long waiting lists and short… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Ellen Thomson

Augustus Goller is almost four years old. He’s a sweet kid, already learning how to print, and ahead of his age in knowing his numbers. He goes by Auggie, a nickname that suits him well. Just a month ago, Auggie spent six days at Guelph General, where he was treated for severe respiratory distress. When… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Auggie Goller

This past October, the nurses on 6W were surprised to receive a gift basket along with a beautifully crafted and poetic thank-you note from Brent Helwig. Brent had been a patient on the ward precisely one year before and wanted staff to realize just how much their care meant to him. It was on October… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Brent Helwig

This September, with much joy and thankfulness, Paula Monico celebrated her 80th birthday! She and her husband, Benny, have called Guelph home for over sixty years. Together, they raised two kids, Jennie and Kevin, and operated a successful plumbing and heating business — Benny handling the customer calls and Paula managing the bookwork. Long retired… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Paula Monico

We have partnered with Will Power, a national movement to educate Canadians on the power they have to make a difference through their wills. Today, we highlight Make a Will month by sharing Saundra’s story. Like many of our supporters, Saundra wanted to make a significant gift that would benefit the future of health care… Continue Reading Saundra Anderton makes the “ultimate gift” in gratitude for her lifesaving care

Every Saturday morning on his way to work, Bruce Barker stops in front of Guelph General, looks up at the floor where he was treated six years ago and feels very lucky. Bruce’s story began just after Christmas 2016, as he and his partner Wendy were driving back from her mother’s. Just after they turned… Continue Reading Together, our community saved Bruce Barker’s life — and his livelihood

Ian Wightman counts himself lucky. Just in May, he won an early bird prize of $1000 in the 50/50 draw! But Ian says that, really, his good fortune came three years ago when he suffered a heart attack and was treated at Guelph General Hospital. It was in October 2019 when Ian began to feel… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Ian Wightman

For the last year, Nola Pestill had a ticking time bomb inside her: an abdominal aortic aneurysm. When it burst, Nola received life-saving care made possible by our generous community. Undergoing major abdominal surgery isn’t easy, especially in your 80s. So when Nola’s specialist first detected the aneurysm, he referred her for a minimally invasive… Continue Reading 66 years and still together, thanks to the lifesavers at Guelph General and within our community.

“I’m the luckiest person alive….. and, if it weren’t for Guelph General Hospital, I wouldn’t be here today.” Orpha Thrasher, a bright-eyed, beaming, youthful lady, turned 100 years-old in February! She celebrated the century by undertaking one hundred walks to raise money for a local charity. It was quite an achievement, covered by local news… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Orpha Thrasher

Ross McKinnell, a Guelphite of 57 years, is no stranger to anyone who supports the Guelph General Hospital. He is a champion bicyclist who has raised an incredible amount of money for the Foundation over the past seven years and has been inducted into the Tour de Guelph’s Hall of Fame. But this story is… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for Ross McKinnell

When Janet and Scott’s first baby, Ben, made his entrance at Guelph General in 2018, they were home the next day. With their second baby, Alice, born in March last year, the experience was totally different. Alice was premature by a month. Although she weighed a healthy 7 pounds, 2 ounces, her delivery date came… Continue Reading Together, our community cared for baby Alice