Rise & Shine for A Mental Health Morning Featuring Bestselling Author Jesse Thistle

A Mental Health Morning (presented by ArcelorMittal Dofasco) is on the horizon! Join us in person at Michelangelo’s Banquet Centre or online via Zoom on February 2 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to listen to Métis-Cree author, poet, scholar and historian Jesse Thistle’s keynote address. During his inspirational talk, Jesse will walk us through his experiences with addiction and homelessness while sharing how he navigated his way towards recovery. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Jesse’s books, including his memoir, From the Ashes, and Scars & Stars, a collection of stories and poetry, courtesy of our community partners at The City & The City Books. Whether you’re a true-blue book lover, a fan of our annual Spirit of Hope Awards, or just hankering for a mood-boosting breakfast, you won’t want to miss our 10th anniversary edition of A Mental Health Morning. 

Read more about A Mental Health Morning in The Spec or watch on CHCH TV.

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Bring out Your Bingo Dabbers & Your Besties to Celebrate Galentine’s in Style

Mark your calendars! On February 10 at 7:00 p.m., steadfast St. Joe’s supporter and mental health advocate Maria Dorego will be partnering with our Foundation to host our first-ever Designer Purse Bingo! This fashion-forward event invites players to call out BINGO for the latest designer handbags, all in support of the Mental Health and Addictions program at our Hospital. Join us at St. Naum of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church in Hamilton for your chance to win a perfect purse prize while fun-draising for St. Joe’s! Tickets start at just $50 per person and include snacks and bingo cards. Or why not book a table for you and all of your besties to celebrate Galentine’s in style? Buy tickets to Designer Purse Bingo today and consider becoming a sponsor of this charitable event. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact tayler@stjoesfoundation.ca. To learn about how mental illness has touched Maria’s life personally, and what inspired her to plan this event for St. Joe’s, visit our website.

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The Healing Power of Art: Generous Gift to St. Joe’s Chapel Gives Solace to Others 

A new painting is gracing the walls of our Charlton Chapel thanks to a generous gift from the family of the late Dr. William (Bill) Bensen – a much-admired Rheumatologist at the Hospital for nearly 40 years who believed in the healing power of art. The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables depicts a radiant Virgin Mary and was painted by Quebecois artist Antoine Plamondon. Nestled in its new home in the Charlton Campus Chapel, the painting provides peace and solace to all those who view it. Appropriately, the awe-inspiring artwork was formally blessed on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – an important date for the Catholic community that honours Mary. The blessing was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Bensen, a longtime patron of the arts who dedicated himself to fulfilling the St. Joe’s mission to deliver compassionate care. 

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The Bay Race is Back & Filling Up Quickly

We’re already more than half way through the month of January, which means the Around the Bay Road Race will be here before we know it. This iconic Hamilton running event (taking place on March 26) has been a signature fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation for 17 years. (Actually, over that time more than $5 million has been raised to support patient care, research, equipment and more at our Hospital!) 

While best known as a challenging 30K race that’s older than the Boston Marathon, the event features a super-achievable 5K distance for walkers and runners alike, and two- and three-person relays, too! But registration is filling up quickly!  

•    The 30K Race is 90% full
•    The 5K Walk/Run is 40% full
•    The 2 x 15K and the 3 X 10K relays are SOLD OUT – BUT WE CAN HELP!

The Bay Race Organizers have provided St. Joe’s with a few Charity Relay Spots! So, if you’re looking to run Around the Bay as a relay, and were disappointed to see the event sold out on the website, don’t worry! We can still get you in, provided you’re willing to either make a charitable donation to our Hospital or raise funds through your network as you tackle the Bay Race. For more details contact adam@stjoesfoundation.ca.