Remembering Jean

“Jean was the heart and soul of our family,” recounts John Farrell when describing his late wife. John’s story began in Cape Breton, in the small village of Benacadie. One of seven boys, he grew up not knowing how or if he would go to university, but several key choices and...

Leaving a Legacy: Meet Eustace Brown

“I live here, and Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is my hospital, so I want to support it,” explains Eustace Brown when asked why he is choosing to leave a legacy gift to NHH Foundation in his Will. “I wish a lot more people would.”  Eustace and his wife, Lila,...

Going Above and Beyond to Help: Bram Vermeulen’s Story

"You stay here. I’ll be right back.” It’s the memory of these words that jump out in Bram Vermeulen’s mind when he’s asked to describe what the care is like at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH). These words were delivered to him recently by a nurse he’s...

In Memory of Fred and Edna Terry

When asked what difference he hopes his family’s support of NHH Foundation will make, Christopher Terry shares, “I would like to help ensure when people need care in the future, they have access to the same high-quality care my family has had access to when we’ve needed it.” ...

Planning a Gift: Ross Butchart

“I firmly believe that something good will come from my gift,” says Ross Butchart.  Ross is a long-time supporter of NHH Foundation and has planned a bequest in his Will to help fund medical equipment and technology at NHH. He has chosen to direct his financial support to two...

Remembering Myles

“Sometimes you have to hope something good can come from tragedy,” says Cynthia Thorne.  There’s a warmth – a positive energy – one can feel from Cynthia when she talks. She has experienced tremendous loss and has had a front row seat for the unfairness life...

Remembering Bev and Pat Howard

“We’ve received so many messages from people who knew our parents – former CDCI West students my dad taught, colleagues of my mom’s, friends, neighbours, and more – letting us know how they made a positive impact on their lives,” remarks Cathy Howard. “If...

The Importance of Family

Nothing made Sandy MacGregor happier than when his family was all together. He and his wife Eliane met and were married in Peterborough, but it was in Cobourg where they started their family and built their life together – this was their community.  Sandy started his career in 1970...

A Taste of Dignity

For Chef William P. Topping (Bill), food was a way to express compassion and kindness towards others. He spent his life pursuing his passion for cooking, earning his Certificate of Qualifications as well as his Certificate of Appreciation and various cooking awards.  Bill grew up in a factory...

Remembering Ruth Gordon

Looking at the advanced technology and variety of services at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) today, it is important to remember these have been built over time – even longer than the 17 years since NHH first opened its doors. Our community hospital stands strong thanks to the many...

Meet Frances DuBroy

Frances DuBroy is not originally from Northumberland County, but has established many connections since moving to the area in 2014. One such connection is with NHH.  Frances has experienced first-hand the difference having quality care close to home can make in the lives of not only those...

An Innovative Teen with a Desire to Help

At just 17 years old, the philanthropic, innovative spirit, and the desire to help others that Niha Sohail shows is inspiring. With aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, specifically to become a doctor, her goal is to eventually become a part of the frontline healthcare workers who are...

A Loving Partnership

Following the death of her husband Bob MacCoubrey in 2008, Sandra, with the help of Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Foundation, established the Bob MacCoubrey Endowment Fund. Bob was a tireless fundraiser for NHH during its conception and construction, and this Fund was created to recognize...

Generosity Springs from Strong Community Roots

Ralph Herne’s family roots are planted firmly in Northumberland County, and he’s long understood the importance of having quality healthcare available for the friends, family, and neighbours who reside in this community he holds so dear.  In 1912, Ralph’s paternal grandparents...

Remembering Margaret Gear

Margaret Gear led a full life, with generosity and compassion woven throughout it. She demonstrated these traits not only throughout her 96 years, but also in her final wishes.  As long-time residents of the Town of Cobourg, she and her husband, Dr. Douglas Gear, loved this community. Her...

More Than a Lifetime of Helping

Margaret Henderson has lived a full life and throughout it all, has been one to give back to others, supporting causes close to her heart, and donating her time as a volunteer. This value of philanthropy was something she shared with her late husband, Stuart.  Margaret and Stuart met when...

A Mother Remembers Her Son

On March 24, 2011, Kyle Read’s 18th birthday was celebrated in Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH). It’s a day his mother, Elaine Read, remembers not only for her son’s milestone age, but for another milestone moment: this was the first day Kyle was able to eat solid food in...

Meet Rose…She’s a Community Builder

Rose and her late husband, Joe, care about their community.  Northumberland Hills Hospital is one of the organizations they have significantly supported for many years with their philanthropy.  Wanting to honour the memory of her husband, Rose reached out to the NHH Foundation and...

You Have A Tumor! By Elizabeth Edwards

In October, the NHH Foundation received a significant donation from Elizabeth Edwards.  What prompted Elizabeth to make this gift?  A health scare that placed her right in the throes of what a hospital means to its community.  Here, Elizabeth recounts her experience: You Have...

Meet Todd Denault

“You know how you think bad things only happen to other people? Well I was that guy.”  Todd Denault On a cold and snowy winter’s day, Todd Denault, age 42, sat down to be interviewed for this story.  He begins by taking us to mid-March 2017 when he began to experience...

Because you care…

As supporters to NHH Foundation, you may never realize the lives you touch.  On a daily basis, your generosity is at the chair side and bedside of our patients.  Your gifts help our staff to provide better and faster care to our community. Because you care….Alie Ryken received...

Meet the NHH Auxiliary Members

Dedicated volunteers who are Philanthropists. An incredible milestone was reached recently by members of the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Auxiliary.  The NHH Foundation Board wants to recognize and celebrate their achievement.  While the Auxiliary usually turns money over to...

Meet Ken Goodwin

He's a Philanthropist. The commercial says…”just imagine the freedom.”  For one local man, he didn’t have to just imagine it…he experienced it.  On July 13, 1991, Ken Goodwin won $10 million in Lotto 649.  At that time, this was one of the largest...

Meet Kevin Burn

Meet Kevin Burn Aka "Captain Polar Dip" He describes himself as the “son of a preacher man“ but Kevin Burn is known by many other names. Some of you may recognize Kevin Burn as physiotherapist at Northumberland Hills Hospital.  Others may know him from his extensive involvement...

Meet Terry and Gillian

They are Philanthropists. In 1989, Gillian Snook had the opportunity to become a partner in a local travel company.  Leaving Toronto behind, she settled in Port Hope to begin the next chapter of her life.  Originally from Jamaica, Gillian immigrated to Canada in 1970. In 1966, her...

In Remembrance of

Barbara and Nicholas O’Nians. We were honoured to recently meet Kathy and Janet - daughters of Barbara and Nick O’Nians. They stopped into the hospital to make a special gift in honour of their parents. "On behalf of Janet and I, it is with great pleasure that we make this gift in...

Meet Daphne

She’s a Philanthropist. As a young girl growing up on the eastern side of England, Daphne Svenningson had an incredible zest for life and passion for adventure. It was that same sense of adventure that led Daphne to travel to Canada in 1950. After a short stay with a wonderful family,...

Meet Ruth and Jack Foote

They are Philanthropists. Even though Ruth and Jack Foote attended New York University at the same time; they never ran into each other on campus, not surprising considering the size of the campus. But a chance encounter after a fireworks display in Kearney, New Jersey, changed their lives forever....

Meet Ryan Mullins

He's a Philanthropist. It was while sitting at a table with a group of friends that the question was first raised….”how do we pay tribute to Chris?” Chris Mansey was the friend they had just laid to rest at the all too young age of 30. The original idea was to establish...

Meet Tony Pulla

He's a Philanthropist. As a young boy growing up in Italy, I don’t suspect that Tony dreamed of one day growing up to be a philanthropist – yet this in indeed what he is. Well known for his generosity, Tony quite simply believes in supporting those causes that are close to his...