Celebrating 2024: Annual General Meeting
In April, Board, staff, volunteers, Nova Scotia Health representatives, donors, and friends gathered at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre to celebrate our 2024 Annual General Meeting.
The meeting, led by Board Chair Brian Purchase, featured reports from both the Chair and CEO; an address from Dr. Paul MacDonald, cardiologist; the presentation of audited financial statements from Doane Grant Thornton; the election of new board member Jennifer Swan, Director of Women and Children’s Health and Palliative Care; the presentation of three annual awards (more below); and a thank you to outgoing board members Stan MacDonald and Troy Penney.
“I am incredibly proud to share that, together as a community, we have raised more than $4.4 million in 2024 for health care in Cape Breton – Unama’ki. This is record-breaking for our Foundation,” shared Brian Purchase.
“Through collaboration and compassion, we have helped to equip our island’s new cancer centre with top-notch technology, ensured that patients get to their vital appointments, and so much more,” he continued. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend deep thanks to our friends, partners, supporters, donors, and staff.”
To learn more about the 2024 year at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, and your vast impact as a donor, view our Annual Report to Donors, here.
2024 Award Recipients
Jack Yazer Caring Spirit Award:
The Ronnie O’Neil Memorial Baseball Tournament Committee
The Jack Yazer Caring Spirit Award is presented in memory and recognition of Dr. Jack Yazer, who was a driving force behind the creation of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.
It is presented annually to a community group, business or individual who has demonstrated true commitment to our community, by having a positive impact on health care in Cape Breton.
This year, we are proud to present the award to a group that truly embodies this spirit. In 2007, this group, and their community, lost a very special loved one, after he had a courageous battle with lung cancer.
From this loss, grew a legacy of love and generosity that’s been carried on by his family, friends, and community. Since 2008, this group worked tirelessly to bring people together to play baseball, enjoy barbeques and music, make memories, and raise funds for a cause that supported Ronnie, when he needed it most.
Along with honouring the late Ronnie O’Niel, over the past 17 years, this incredible group has raised more than $105,000.00 for the Tom McNeil Cancer Patient Care Fund.
It is with immense gratitude that we present the Jack Yazer Caring Spirit Award to Gary O’Neil and the Ronnie O’Neil Memorial Baseball Tournament Committee!
Mabel MacDougall Volunteer Award:
Wendy Witzell
The Mabel MacDougall Volunteer Award was created to recognize and honour Mabel MacDougall, who was a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary, which began in 1993.
This award is presented to an individual who shows the same dedication and passion that Mabel had for uplifting our friends, families, and neighbours, by volunteering their time and skills to our Foundation.
This year’s recipient is someone whose kindness radiates in everything she does. For the past 10 years, she has been supporting our Foundation behind the scenes, in the office, and lending a hand at events, always with a smile.
She volunteers her time each week, helps with anything that’s needed – no task too big or small. And, she recently became part of our Give Every Month program, saying, “You never know when it’s going to be you who needs it. So, I give what I can give.”
We are grateful for her time, generosity, and friendship.
On behalf of all of us at the Foundation, and in the legacy of Mabel MacDougall herself, it’s our pleasure to present this year’s Mabel MacDougall Volunteer Award to Wendy Witzell!
Service Award:
Caleb’s Courage
Our Foundation’s Service Award is presented to volunteer community groups who have been fundraising for 10 or more consecutive years.
This year’s recipients are an incredible family, well-known in our community, who have now been fundraising and spreading awareness about childhood cancer for the past decade.
Motivated by the light, love and legacy of a brave little boy, in the last decade these superheroes have had an incredibly tangible impact on health care and our hospital.
Their efforts have helped transform the Pediatrics Unit at our hospital:
- From purchasing TVs to provide normalcy and entertainment during hospital stays
- providing washer and dryers so parents don’t have to leave their children’s side,
- funding transportation for critically ill children to get to important appointments,
- Purchasing sleeper chairs so parents can rest beside their children,
- Creating special moments – music classes, family photo shoots, and memory-making activities that remind families there is still joy, even in the hardest times.
- To the bright, joyful makeover of Caleb’s Superhero Suite, a safe-haven for long hospital stays.
This family’s impact is vast and proves that not all superheroes wear capes (unless, of course, it’s Superhero Day!).
It is our honour to recognize Nicole, Mike and the entire MacArthur Family with the Service Award for their work on behalf of forever three-year-old Caleb William MacArthur, and Caleb’s Courage.