Giving Circle Celebrates Innovation and Raises More Than $100,000 for CGMH

On a beautiful evening on September 29, over 75 women gathered with one shared purpose: to support local healthcare and help bring new ideas to life at Collingwood General & Marine Hospital (CGMH).

Through the annual Giving Circle event, members have the unique opportunity to learn directly about emerging needs and opportunities within the hospital. Each year, CGMH staff are invited to share the challenges they see firsthand in their areas of care, along with ideas and initiatives they believe could make a meaningful difference for patients, families, and healthcare teams.

This year, five presenters representing departments across the hospital took the stage to share projects they are passionate about. From advancing staff education to enhancing patient care and family support, each presentation highlighted a need within our hospital and a vision for how it could be addressed.

Throughout the evening, Giving Circle members engaged with presenters through thoughtful questions, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping healthcare close to home while considering where their collective support could make the greatest impact.

At the end of the evening, Giving Circle members cast their votes to determine which projects would receive funding. Thanks to their incredible generosity, more than $100,000 was raised to support four projects at CGMH.

High-Fidelity Adult Simulation Mannequin

Funding will support the purchase of a high-fidelity adult simulation mannequin, helping CGMH build on its leadership in simulation-based education. The mannequin will allow healthcare teams to practise and strengthen their skills in a realistic, hands-on environment, ultimately enhancing patient care.

Hoverjack Evacuation/Air Patient Lift

The Giving Circle will fund a HoverJack air-assisted lift device to support patients who have experienced a fall. The equipment helps care teams safely lift patients from the floor while preserving patient dignity and reducing the physical strain on staff. The lift can also be used for emergency evacuation.

Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters will provide accessible, ongoing support for patients and families through monthly evening sessions focused on topics such as diagnoses, symptoms, medications, recovery, and available services. The program will help patients and caregivers better understand their care plans while offering additional support as they navigate their mental health journey.

Panda Infant Warmer

The Giving Circle will help replace an outdated infant warmer in the birthing unit with a new Panda Infant Warmer. The equipment provides critical capabilities including temperature control, monitoring, weighing, and resuscitation support, helping care teams provide safe, responsive care to approximately 100 babies each year.

This year’s generosity will have an impact across multiple areas of the hospital, supporting newborns, patients experiencing mental health challenges, individuals recovering from falls, and the healthcare professionals who care for them every day.

Thank you to our volunteers, presenters, Steering Committee members, and every woman who attended and gave so generously. Your support is helping move these projects from ideas to reality, and your commitment to local healthcare continues to make a meaningful difference throughout our community.

We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to seeing the impact these projects will have at CGMH.

Event Photography by Jessica Crandlemire