Hope Springs at St. Joe’s: Play our Latest Lottery to Win Big, Do Good

Spring is just around the corner, and so is the chance to win! That’s because tickets for our 2023 Hope Springs Lottery are ON SALE NOW at stjoeslottery.ca. Half of all ticket sales will make up the ever-growing jackpot, while the other half will support the renewal of birthing rooms at our Hospital and help to expand our Special Care Nursery. With two early-bird draws for cash prizes of $500 each, and one grand prize draw, you’ll want to grab your tickets today for the most chances to win big and do good!

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Introducing our 2023 Bay Race Community Champion

Our Foundation is excited to return as the signature beneficiary of this year’s Around the Bay Road Race! Over the past 19 years, more than $5.1 million has been raised by Bay Racers to help support patient care and research at our Hospital. This year, to lead our fundraising efforts, we’re thrilled to share that Nick Carnicelli, President of Carriage Gate Homes, has accepted the role of St. Joe’s Community Champion! 

Nick is no stranger to the Bay Race. He completed the full 30-km course in 2012 and 2014, and ran the 30-km three-person relay back in 2008. On March 26, he’s lacing up his sneakers alongside a team to take part in the 5-km course while aiming to raise $100,000 for St. Joe’s. Funds raised from this year’s race will help expand our Special Care Nursery to care for more babies in need of specialized care, and to renovate and upgrade the Hospital’s labour and delivery rooms to give babies and families the very best start possible.

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Honouring the Life of Dr. Anil Kapoor

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share with our community of donors and friends the news that Dr. Anil Kapoor passed away in the early hours of February 28 after a short and courageous battle with an acute illness. His loss is deeply felt by the entire urologic and genitourinary cancer community coast to coast, as well as to those who worked with him here at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton through the years.

Dr. Kapoor was deeply involved with the philanthropic work of our Foundation and was one of the most prolific recipients of miracle worker nominations from grateful patients and their families. During his tenure at St. Joe’s he amassed 77 nominations which were accompanied by many impactful donations. Dr. Kapoor was also integral in securing a number of major gifts to support kidney and urinary care and research here at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Kapoor’s family, friends, patients and colleagues. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. May he rest in peace.

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Youth are Thriving Well in the Workforce with Help from Co-operators

A new employment program for young people who are experiencing mental health concerns and who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour is now underway thanks to a partnership between St. Joe’s YouThrive program and City School by Mohawk (Mohawk College).

The program is called Thriving Well and is made possible, in part, by a $20,000 grant by Co-operators Community Funds. Thriving Well supports individuals ages 16-25 who need assistance with their job hunt or support to maintain their employment. The program offers mental health care in a safe and welcoming space, while also inviting youth to participate in a series of professional development and self-care workshops to equip them with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce. 

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More than Fun & Games, Purse Bingo Raises $15,000 for St. Joe’s

Love was in the air during St. Joe’s first-ever Purse Bingo event! Hosted by Maria Dorego – a steadfast supporter of our Hospital – the February 10 Galentine’s fun-drasier that combined bingo dabbers and designer handbags raised a remarkable $15,000 for the Hospital’s Mental Health and Addiction program. Our sincere thanks goes out to Maria, the event’s bingo-caller, Greg Williams, and the entire team of friends and fashionistas who came together for this fabulous event. We are also grateful to all of the galentines (and palentines!) who joined us for a fun night out while raising funds to help support those in our community who are carrying the weight of mental illness and addiction. You really came through for St. Joe’s in a (and for a) clutch! 

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Keynote Speaker Jesse Thistle Shines at A Mental Health Morning

We are deeply grateful to all the sponsors, guests, and speakers who came together on February 2 to make the 10th Anniversary Edition of A Mental Health Morning – presented by ArcelorMittal Dofasco – a tremendous success that raised nearly $40,000 for mental health and addictions care at St. Joe’s. Our keynote speaker, Métis-Cree author, poet and scholar, Jesse Thistle, fearlessly shared how six acts of kindness in his life helped him to find his way from addiction and homelessness to resilience and recovery. A warm congratulations also goes out to our 2022 Spirit of Hope Award winners, April Mansilla, Shalem Mental Health Network and Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School – Celtic F.R.E.E. Stay tuned for more information about A Mental Health Morning in 2023 as the event returns during Mental Health Awareness week in October!