Archives des Donors | The Ottawa Hospital Foundation

For years, the dedicated volunteers of The Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary have been a powerful force behind patient care. This year, that extraordinary commitment continues with a remarkable $1.35 million gift to help fund leading-edge equipment that will enhance care for patients across our hospital.

The Auxiliary will support several critical pieces of equipment to ensure patients and healthcare teams have access the tools they need to continue to deliver exceptional care today and into the future. While the equipment itself may not always be visible to patients and families, its impact is felt everyday across our hospital.

Supporting better care for patients

Every piece of innovative technology and advanced medical equipment has the potential to change a life. It could be your neighbour who is rushed to our Emergency Department in need of critical care or a friend undergoing a complex procedure. It could even be a newborn grandchild arriving weeks earlier than expected and in need of specialized care in their first days of life.

When those moments happen, patients and their families count on healthcare teams to have access to the best possible tools and technology. The equipment supported through the Auxiliary will help care teams across The Ottawa Hospital deliver safer, more responsive, and more personalized care.

Advanced patient monitors will help clinicians detect changes in a patient’s condition sooner, specialized neonatal incubators will support vulnerable newborns as they grow and develop, and new airway management technology will help healthcare teams respond quickly during critical moments when every second counts.

Thanks to investments like this, people across the National Capital Region can access world-class care close to home, when they need it most.

Impact powered by our community

The Auxiliary’s gift is a result of thousands of acts of generosity from volunteers, patients, families, staff, and community members who support fundraising efforts throughout the year. From gift shop purchases to volunteer-led initiatives, every contribution helps advance patient care and bring vital equipment to our hospital.

“We are so pleased to be part of the hospital community, and we are focused on continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of TOH patients.”
— Tracy Murphy, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, The Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary

“The Auxiliary volunteers, staff, and members choose to be involved with the organization because we believe strongly that our work makes a difference in the lives of patients and families,” said Tracy Murphy, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, The Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary. “We see the tangible results of our efforts, and this profoundly impacts everyone connected to the Auxiliary. We are so pleased to be part of the hospital community, and we are focused on continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of TOH patients.”

Learn more about the Auxiliary’s impact here.

In 1953, with a single-axle dump truck and a strong work ethic, Tom Cavanagh started a small hauling business that grew into one of the region’s most recognized construction companies. Over time, the company helped build the roads, neighbourhoods, and infrastructure that communities across Ottawa and the surrounding region rely on every day.

Known for taking pride in his work and his deep commitment to community, Tom built a reputation as a business leader and someone who stepped forward when it mattered most. Whether creating jobs across the region, supporting local sports teams and festivals, or lending a hand in times of need, Tom could always be counted on.

“For Tom, success was never just about what you build,” says Lori Cavanagh, Executive Vice President of Cavanagh Construction and Chair of the Thomas Cavanagh Foundation. “It was about who you build it for.”

A legacy rooted in community

That belief continues to guide the Cavanagh family today. Through the Thomas Cavanagh Foundation, they are now donating $1 million in support of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow. For the Cavanagh family, it’s an investment in the future of healthcare in the same community that has been at the heart of their story for generations.

For decades, the Cavanagh name has been closely tied to community-building across the Ottawa Valley — not only through the infrastructure the company has delivered, but through a long-standing commitment to giving back. That commitment reflects Tom’s belief in giving where you live — a philosophy that continues to shape the family’s approach to philanthropy today.

A personal connection to care

Like so many families in the region, the Cavanagh’s connection to The Ottawa Hospital is deeply personal.

In recent years, multiple family members have spent time in the hospital, giving them a firsthand view of both the exceptional care provided and the growing pressures on the system. That experience, combined with Tom’s belief that “health is wealth,” helped inspire the family’s continued commitment to supporting healthcare close to home.

“Hospitals touch every family at some point. If you’re able to give, it’s something that truly makes a difference.”
— Lori Cavanagh, Executive Vice President of Cavanagh Construction

Building for the future

For the Cavanagh family, supporting the Campaign to Create Tomorrow is a natural extension of what they’ve always done — helping build strong, vibrant communities.

“Giving back locally is a part of who we are,” says Patrick Davies, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Cavanagh Group of Companies and Executive Director of the Thomas Cavanagh Foundation. “Our staff have built lives here with their families, so it’s never just about business. It’s about supporting the community we’re all a part of.”

A new hospital campus will bring modern facilities and advance research, all within a patient-centred environment — something the family knows will make a meaningful difference.

“Investing in something like this is really investing back into the community,” says Lori. “Hospitals touch every family at some point. If you’re able to give, it’s something that truly makes a difference.”

Published: May 2026

For Welch LLP, supporting The Ottawa Hospital isn’t tied to a single moment. It’s something that has built over time, shaped by personal experiences, long-standing involvement, and a shared commitment to giving back across the firm.

For over 100 years, Welch LLP, founded in 1918, has been recognized as one of Ottawa’s oldest companies. What began as a local accounting practice has grown into a full-service accounting and advisory firm with 12 offices across Ontario and Quebec, 39 partners, and more than 390 employees.

Despite that growth, the firm continues to see itself as deeply rooted in Ottawa. That local focus has shaped not only Welch LLP’s business, but also its support for The Ottawa Hospital. This has included a long-standing involvement in initiatives such as The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s President’s Breakfast, where partners have played a key role in helping strengthen participation by hosting tables, securing sponsorship, and encouraging engagement across their networks.

Over the years, that support has also taken shape through a multi-year initiative that brought together several Welch LLP offices, including Ottawa, Pembroke, Quinte, and Cornwall, to raise more than $100,000 for The Ottawa Hospital’s Dermatology Centre.

A new chapter of giving

Now, Welch LLP is marking a new chapter in their support with a $250,000 gift to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow — The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s $500 million fundraising campaign to build a new, state-of-the-art Civic Campus. This marks the largest gift in the firm’s history through its newly established charitable foundation.

“It’s where our families receive care and where we see the needs of our community firsthand.”

— Jim McConnery

Created in 2022, the Welch Community Foundation was formed after the COVID-19 pandemic to bring more focus and coordination to the firm’s giving. Funded entirely by partners, it allows Welch LLP to pool contributions and collectively decide where they can have the greatest impact.

Guided by the firm’s vales of care, impact, and empowerment, supporting The Ottawa Hospital was a natural choice.

“We’ve had a long connection to The Ottawa Hospital, and it’s something that matters to many people across our firm,” says Jim McConnery, Managing Partner of Welch LLP’s Ottawa office. “It’s where our families receive care and where we see the needs of our community firsthand.”

When impact is personal

In recent years, that connection has become even more personal. Members of the firm have required care at The Ottawa Hospital, giving colleagues a firsthand view of the expertise, compassion, and innovation that define the care our hospital provides.

For many at Welch LLP, it also deepened their understanding of our hospital’s role not just in delivering care, but in advancing it. From leading-edge treatments to world-class research, the impact extends far beyond any individual patient.

“We know The Ottawa Hospital is critical to the community, but the more you learn about it, the more compelling it becomes,” says Jim. “The level of care, the innovation, and the research taking place here in Ottawa are truly impressive and they’re making a real difference for patients.”

Across generations

Welch LLP’s involvement with The Ottawa Hospital is also being shaped by its next generation of partners.

Several emerging leaders across the firm are now stepping into community roles of their own — including participation in Young Leaders, sponsored by RBC, a program led by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation to encourage young adults to get involved through organized events. Their involvement is helping broaden the firm’s connection to our hospital, bringing new energy to the firm’s commitment to supporting our community.

“Many, if not all of us will need to rely on the care The Ottawa Hospital provides at some point in our lives and that is why this initiative is so important.”

— Alessandro D’Angelo

For a firm that has spanned more than a century, there is a strong emphasis on carrying that commitment forward with emerging leaders. With generations of families building careers at Welch LLP, there is a shared understanding that supporting healthcare is not only about making a difference today, but also ensuring strong, accessible care for the next 100 years.

“Welch LLP has always taken a long view, and that responsibility now sits with the next generation. Our support of The Ottawa Hospital reflects a commitment we intend to carry forward, as strong healthcare systems are essential to strong communities, now and in the future,” says Alessandro D’Angelo, Partner at Welch LLP. “Many, if not all of us will need to rely on the care The Ottawa Hospital provides at some point in our lives and that is why this initiative is so important. Our family has had three children at the hospital’s General Campus, and we have experienced firsthand the type of excellent care provided, it’s now our responsibility to give back and ensure that everyone in Ottawa has access to state-of-the art care and facilities at the scale needed to keep pace with the city’s growth.”

As The Ottawa Hospital moves forward with the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, Welch LLP’s $250,000 gift reflects that long-term view — an investment in the future of care for the community.

Categories: Creating Tomorrow, Donors

Published: May 2026

As the largest global law firm, Dentons is known for advising local, national and international clients on complex legal matters including venture tech, corporate commercial, banking, real estate and infrastructure, telecommunications, litigation, employment, regulatory, IP and privacy. But in Ottawa, the firm’s impact extends well beyond the work it does for clients.

For years, Dentons has been a familiar and enthusiastic supporter of The Ottawa Hospital. From The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Gala to the President’s Breakfast for the Public Service, the firm has helped bring the community together in support of better care and groundbreaking research.

Now, Dentons is taking that commitment one step further with a combined contribution of $260,000 to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, including personal contributions from a group of senior members of the Ottawa office and a corporate gift.

A relationship built through leadership

The firm’s connection to the hospital was shaped in large part by longtime partner Greg Kane — a respected and influential leader in Ottawa’s legal and philanthropic communities. Greg served on both The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Board and the Board of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, where he supported the hospital’s mission over many years.

“When Greg joined our firm, he was already deeply involved with The Ottawa Hospital,” says David Little, Partner at Dentons. “That created an opportunity for us to become more involved as a firm and to support the initiatives we all care about. Over time, that relationship continued to grow.”

Although Greg has since retired, the foundation he helped build continues to guide the firm’s approach to giving.

Rooted in Ottawa

While Dentons is a global firm, its Ottawa office is rooted in the local community, with many lawyers and staff building long careers in the city.

“Supporting projects like this allows us to make meaningful contributions to the growth of our city not just today, but for the future.”

— David Little

“We really pride ourselves on being part of the communities where we live and work,” says David. “Supporting projects like this allows us to make meaningful contributions to the growth of our city not just today, but for the future.”

That commitment is reflected in the firm’s decision to support a project of this scale. For Dentons, the Campaign to Create Tomorrow represents more than a fundraising effort, it’s a chance to have a lasting impact.

A shared investment in the future

Today, that spirit of giving continues under the leadership of Managing Partner Chase Irwin, who sees the campaign as both a community-building opportunity and a moment for organizations, like Dentons, to step forward.

“This is an opportunity for organizations in our community to make a profound impact.”

— Chase Irwin

“This is an opportunity for organizations in our community to make a profound impact,” says Chase. “Supporting this campaign allows us to contribute to something that will benefit Ottawa for generations to come.”

A new hospital campus will transform how care is delivered in our region — bringing together cutting-edge research, modern facilities and ongoing advances in care.

For the Dentons team, the impact is personal. Across generations, from younger professionals to long-time leaders, there is a shared understanding this hospital will touch everyone in the community at some point in their lives.

Recently, the firm also came together to honour the memory of former partner and dear friend Alex Kilgour, supporting cancer care and research through donations made in his name. It’s another reflection of the deep and personal connections that continue to shape Dentons’ commitment to The Ottawa Hospital.

As organizations across Ottawa step forward to support the campaign, Dentons is proud to be part of a collective effort helping shape the city’s story for the next 100 years.

Categories: Creating Tomorrow, Donors

Published: February 2026

Few people have shaped the course of health research in Ottawa and beyond as profoundly as Dr. Ronald G. Worton. From discovering critical gene mutations to becoming the first CEO and Scientific Director of The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Dr. Worton helped establish a culture of scientific excellence that continues to define our hospital today. When he arrived in Ottawa in 1996 to help build the hospital’s research program, he brought a collaborative vision that helped shape research at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), and in the research community at large, for decades to come. And now, even in his retirement, Dr. Worton continues to give back and support the future of healthcare.

A trailblazer in genetic research

Dr. Worton’s path to medicine and research was anything but linear. Growing up in Winnipeg, Dr. Worton initially pursued physics. A chance carpool with biology students, who were energized by emerging discoveries about DNA, sparked his interest in biomedical research. That set him on a new path, first to a master’s degree in radiation physics at the University of Manitoba, and then to stem cell research for a PhD in Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto.

Recruited to the newly established Genetics Department at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Worton emerged as a trailblazer in genetic research. As head of a research team, he helped discover the dystrophin gene, demonstrating that mutations in this gene cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy. At the time, gene discovery was still in its earliest stages, and this breakthrough helped lay the foundation for the Human Genome Project, a global effort to map all human genes and transform how scientists understand disease.

“What makes research thrive isn’t competition. It’s collaboration, shared ideas, and a willingness to support one another.”

— Dr. Ronald G. Worton

For Dr. Worton, what has been most meaningful is seeing how research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy has continued to advance over time, especially by scientists he recruited to OHRI. He notes the work of Dr. Michael Rudnicki, a senior scientist in regenerative medicine, and Director of the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research. Dr. Rudnicki’s team is conducting promising research that could one day lead to new treatment options with the potential to change the lives of children with muscular dystrophy.

When reflecting on this, Dr. Worton shares, “What makes research thrive isn’t competition. It’s collaboration, shared ideas, and a willingness to support one another.”

Contributing in new ways

This spirit of collaboration shaped Dr. Worton’s approach to leadership and to giving back. When he retired in 2007, colleagues, friends, and supporters came together to establish the Dr. Ronald G. Worton Researcher in Training Award. While it originally recognized outstanding research by students and postdoctoral fellows across all disciplines, the award is now focused on those trainees who specialize in lab-based research.

When considering how best to give back in support of our hospital, Dr. Worton noted that this Researcher in Training Award was supported by a strong endowment fund that was fulfilling its purpose, so he shifted focus to supporting our Campaign to Create Tomorrow. He saw the campaign as an opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare in a meaningful way.

Now, with a $50,000 commitment, Dr. Worton has stepped forward, not only as a major donor, but also as a Campaign Patron. He hopes his gift will encourage other community leaders to follow suit, just as he was inspired by Campaign Patron and former long-time President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Jack Kitts.

“Becoming a Campaign Patron felt like the right way to contribute and to support this next chapter. I hope that by stepping forward, I can inspire other leaders to give as well,” says Dr. Worton.

Passing the torch to young researchers

To this day, Dr. Worton remains deeply engaged with the hospital and research community he helped build. His support reflects a belief in what the new hospital campus and its research will make possible for patients, researchers, and our community for generations to come.

“In one way or another, I hope this gift supports young researchers, providing them with the space, tools, and opportunities they need to fuel the next generation of discovery.”

— Dr. Ronald G. Worton

That belief in the power of research has guided his distinguished career and is reflected in the honours he has received, including induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and appointment as an officer of the Order of Canada.

“In one way or another, I hope this gift supports young researchers, providing them with the space, tools, and opportunities they need to fuel the next generation of discovery,” says Dr. Worton.

Through his leadership and philanthropy, Dr. Worton is passing the torch — investing in discovery, empowering the next generation of researchers, and ensuring a strong future for healthcare in our community and beyond.

Categories: Creating Tomorrow, Donors

Published: February 2026

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) are no strangers to supporting charities in the nation’s capital. From the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada to the United Way, BLG has been making an impact in the community for many years.

Now, they are making a significant gift to the future of healthcare with a commitment of more than $430,000 in support of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build one of the most technologically advanced research and teaching hospitals in Canada, right here in Ottawa.

A partner-driven philanthropic initiative

Led by Ryma Nasrallah, Partner and Co-Leader of BLG’s Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Group, and Larry Elliot, Managing Partner of the Ottawa office, this partner-driven philanthropic initiative brings together a $200,000 corporate gift from BLG, alongside personal commitments from 18 partners across the firm.

Together, these gifts will support the campaign’s vision to help build a new hospital and take research to unprecedented heights — not only here in Ottawa, but beyond.

For Larry, supporting the campaign is a no-brainer. Born and raised in Ottawa, he feels a deep responsibility to give back to the community.

“Healthcare touches everyone, whether it’s a loved one, a neighbour, or a friend,” says Larry. “Our commitment to this campaign reflects a deep belief in supporting care when our community needs it the most.”

Ryma also played a central role in engaging colleagues in support of the campaign. As a member of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, she understands the pressures on our healthcare system and the need for a new hospital to better support patients, physicians, and researchers.

“Anyone who is familiar with the Civic Campus knows it’s over 100 years old,” says Ryma. “Just imagine what a modern hospital will bring in terms of advancements in patient care and research. This project will touch every one of us, whether directly or through someone we love, and we have a civic duty to support it however we can.”

‘We’re doing this in his memory’

BLG’s support is deeply personal. The idea of a collective gift to the hospital was inspired by the legacy of former Managing Partner of the Ottawa office, Marc Jolicoeur. Around the time of his 2022 passing from brain cancer, the Marc Jolicoeur and Kathleen Faulkner Legacy Endowment Fund was established at The Ottawa Hospital.

“His legacy lives on, and we’re doing this in his memory,” says Ryma. That spirit of giving continues to inspire BLG and its partners today, shaping their commitment to the hospital through the Campaign to Create Tomorrow.

With this donation, BLG and its partners are stepping forward once again to help shape healthcare for the future. Their commitment is helping build a hospital designed to meet the needs of a growing city and to serve our community for generations to come.

Thank you to BLG and the partners involved. Your leadership reflects a shared belief in a future where Ottawa leads in compassionate care, research, and innovation.

Categories: Creating Tomorrow, Donors

Published: January 2026

Read time: 3 mins

Published: January 2026

Read time: 3 mins

On a warm spring day in 2022, Jean Lebel set out for what was meant to be a routine bike ride through Cantley, Quebec, with his wife Anne-Marie and close friends. An experienced rider, Jean had travelled those winding country roads countless times before. But at one sharp hairpin turn, the ride quickly turned into every cyclist’s worst nightmare. A car suddenly appeared in front of him, and the head-on collision that followed left Jean unconscious, severely injured, and battling life-threatening injuries.

Love at first pedal

Cycling wasn’t just a hobby for Jean. Balancing a prestigious career as President and CEO of the International Development Research Centre, it was a way to escape the pressures of daily life and most importantly, connect with Anne-Marie.

Their love story began on bicycles when Anne-Marie first cycled past Jean when she was 14 and he was 12. That moment sparked a connection that would resurface years later when they met again as young adults. Since then, they’ve built a life centred on adventure, family, and a shared passion for cycling around the world.

Never once did they imagine the same passion that brought them together would one day threaten to pull them apart, when Jean was in a crash that could have cost him his life.

From passion to peril

When he regained consciousness after the crash, Jean was disoriented. Though he recognized Anne-Marie’s face, he repeatedly asked the same questions — a sign of the severity of the impact. His shoulder struck the car’s side mirror, and his head hit the back-seat window before he was thrown off his bicycle onto the pavement. Anne-Marie watched helplessly as he drifted in and out of consciousness, fearing she might lose the man she loved.

“We have spent many years riding together,” says Anne-Marie. “Nothing can prepare you for a moment like that.”

Paramedics acted quickly and transported him to the Hull Hospital. The medical team immediately recognized that due to the extent of his injuries, Jean needed the highest level of trauma care available. He needed The Ottawa Hospital — the most advanced trauma centre in our region.

Jean woke in the hospital with no memory of the accident, but thankfully, he was in the hands of a world-leading trauma team who provided lifesaving care when he needed it most.

World-class trauma care

At The Ottawa Hospital, a multidisciplinary team was ready. Highly trained specialists from neurosurgery, orthopaedics, and critical care worked together in a swift, coordinated effort rarely seen outside a major trauma centre.

Jean’s injuries were extensive, including a dangerous C2 fracture at the base of his skull; a second spine fracture of his C6/T1; multiple broken ribs; shattered bones in his collarbone, shoulder and arm; a lung contusion; and a kidney laceration.

“People rarely survive a fracture like this. Jean was extremely lucky.”
— Dr. Safraz Mohammed

Q&A with Dr. Safraz Mohammed

The C2 fracture was the most concerning — fractures here are often fatal. “People rarely survive a fracture like this. Jean was extremely lucky,” explains Dr. Safraz Mohammed, Staff Neurosurgeon at The Ottawa Hospital and one of the physicians overseeing Jean’s care. A fragment of bone had sheared off his C2 vertebra, pressing into the canal surrounding his vertebral artery. If it shifted even half a centimetre, it could sever the artery, causing a massive stroke — or worse.

Jean woke in the hospital with no memory of the accident, but thankfully, he was in the hands of a world-leading trauma team who provided lifesaving care when he needed it most. In the hours that followed, he underwent multiple surgeries to stabilize his fractured collarbone, arm, and shoulder and care for his bruised lung and kidney tear. He was fitted with a rigid neck brace to protect the fragile C2 injury as it healed.

Healing, one day at a time

Remarkably, only one week later, Jean was stable enough to return home — a testament to the lifesaving, expert care he received. “Jean had a lot of what we call near misses” says Dr. Mohammed. “If his C2 fracture had shifted even slightly, he could have suffered a massive stroke, or his brain could have swelled, and he could have died. If his kidney laceration had been deeper, he might have bled out. Even his rib fractures could have punctured his lung and caused a life-threatening emergency. He had a lot of angels watching over him that day.”

Jean’s recovery over the next six months was extensive. He followed a strict rehabilitation plan with limited mobility to protect his spine, regular follow-ups, and scans. Each day required patience, persistence, and learning what his body could handle.

“I’m like a bike — titanium is great.”

— Jean Lebel

“Hearing my doctors say that people rarely survive these kinds of injuries made me realize just how lucky I was, and that I owe that to the care I received at The Ottawa Hospital,” says Jean.

Although he still has some lasting effects from the injuries, including reduced grip strength, he is doing remarkably well. “I have a lot more metal in my body than the average person,” he jokes. “I’m like a bike — titanium is great.”

A history of extraordinary care

This wasn’t Jean’s first life altering injury, nor was it his first time receiving care at The Ottawa Hospital. In 2016, he fell from the roof of his cottage in Gaspé, Quebec, shattering his hip. A few months after receiving surgery in Quebec City, his femur went into necrosis. That’s when he turned to The Ottawa Hospital for an urgent, full hip replacement.

He was walking the day after surgery and home the next day. That experience left a deep impression on him. He reflected on how much medicine has advanced — a surgery that once required weeks in hospital, like a hip replacement, now allowed him to go home after a day.

Six years later, he returned to The Ottawa Hospital following his cycling collision, again receiving care from some of the very best physicians in the country.

A commitment to giving back

Despite everything he endured, Jean still cycles today — more carefully, and rarely on the road. “The accident shifted my perspective on life,” he says. “I decided to retire because I want to live life to the fullest. There’s still so much I want to do and experience. I enjoy spending time at my place in Gaspé, and I want to make the most of every day with my family and friends.”

Incredibly, his bike was almost untouched in the crash. “All the impact went into my body,” he reflects. He keeps it as a reminder of how close he came to losing everything.

“If I could give one piece of advice to others, it would be: don’t wait for an accident to give.”

— Jean Lebel

Jean now feels a deep responsibility to support The Ottawa Hospital. “The Ottawa Hospital changed my life twice. I feel it’s my duty to donate for the care I received. If I could give one piece of advice to others, it would be: don’t wait for an accident to give. Just give, because it makes a difference — to you, and to others.”

Categories: Donors, Patient Care, Rehab, Trauma

Published: November 2025

On Giving Tuesday, Tom Moore is TRIPLING all donations — up to a total of $200,000!

For Tom Moore, a retired tech executive and longtime Ottawa resident, giving back to The Ottawa Hospital isn’t just a gesture of generosity. It’s personal.

“There was always hope at The Ottawa Hospital. The facilities and the expertise available are unmatched.”

— Tom Moore

Tom grew up on a horse ranch near Pembroke, where his family raised American Quarter Horses. “Growing up in a rural area, Ottawa was the closest ‘big’ hospital, where you could get the same care as the city folks,” he says. “There was always hope at The Ottawa Hospital. The facilities and the expertise available are unmatched.”

Tom’s journey has taken him from rodeo arenas to Silicon Valley boardrooms. After studying Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, he spent a decade at Bell-Northern Research and NorTel before launching his own consulting firm. He later led U.S. west-coast operations for Ottawa-based ObjecTime in California and helped found GridIron Networks when he returned to Ottawa.

Since he retired 16 years ago, his commitment to community has only grown stronger, and has seen him support the Ottawa Food Bank, Cornerstone Housing for Women, Hospice Care Ottawa, CHEO, and The Ottawa Hospital.

The hope that Tom saw through the work of the hospital became deeply personal over the years: Tom had his appendix removed at the Civic Campus in 1977. His father was a patient at the Heart Institute. His mother underwent ankle surgery at the General Campus. And in 2019, Tom’s husband and partner of nearly 30 years, Jacques Pelletier, passed away after a brief and devastating battle with pancreatic cancer.

“The most difficult thing I went through was losing my partner,” Tom shares. “He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he died eight weeks after diagnosis.”

These experiences, spanning decades, shaped Tom’s understanding of what compassionate care truly means. And that reflection led to action.

Tom has supported The Ottawa Hospital for years, honouring his parents and honouring Jacques. After Jacques’s passing, he became especially passionate about advancing pancreatic cancer research. He knows how little time this disease gives families and how urgently new treatments are needed. His support of research at The Ottawa Hospital is helping to fuel discoveries that could offer more time, more hope, and better outcomes for others facing this disease.

Now, this Giving Tuesday, Tom has stepped forward with a matching gift and will be tripling donations on December 2, 2025 up to a total of $200,000. He hopes this opportunity will inspire others to support the hospital that has touched his life in profound ways.

“I’ve learned over the last few years, seems the more I give, the more I get.”

— Tom Moore

“I’ve learned over the last few years, seems the more I give, the more I get,” Tom says. “I enjoy it. It makes me feel great, to be giving back in some small way.”

His Giving Tuesday matching gift is a call to action — a chance for others to join him in supporting The Campaign to Create Tomorrow, which is building a new, state-of-the-art hospital campus and elevating lifesaving research to new heights. “It’s just a matter of time until you or someone in your family needs it, needs that excellence, and that’s when you’ll truly appreciate it.”

For Tom, giving is also about honouring the moments that remind us of what matters most. “In the darkest moments, when you’re in the waiting room at the hospital, when you know someone’s in surgery, that’s when you have a sense that life is short. You realize there’s a greater good, and we have a responsibility to give back if we can.”

To join Tom in supporting The Ottawa Hospital this Giving Tuesday — and to triple your impact through his generosity.

Categories: Creating Tomorrow, Donors

Published: November 2025

More than 125 years ago, three brothers founded Merkley Brothers Limited, and for the last century, the company has been providing expertise and high-quality building supplies throughout the region. Robert Merkley took over as CEO in 1982, making him the third generation to run the company, now called Merkley Supply Ltd.

Over the past 40 years, he has championed cancer research and driven change in our community. He knows how to build — not just buildings, but communities, institutions, and visions that endure and shape our city.

If any business understands what it takes to create a city’s foundation, it’s Merkley Supply Ltd. Having literally provided the materials that make construction possible, Robert has extended that same vision to healthcare — recognizing that world-class hospitals are cornerstones of a strong community.

And now, his latest contribution demonstrates how every dollar can become a building block in shaping the future of patient care and research. Robert is matching all donations, to a total of $1,000,000, before December 31, 2025!

Robert’s matching gift is an invitation — a call for our community to come together and help bring the new hospital to life.

“True giving goes beyond writing a cheque. It’s about rolling up our sleeves, inspiring others, and leading by example. If we want world-class healthcare, research, and facilities, it’s up to us to make it happen — our community deserves it.”

Robert’s support of the hospital began long before this gift. In 2010, along with Roger Greenberg and Claude Des Rosiers, he co-founded THE RIDE, a premier cycling fundraiser for cancer research. For more than a decade, their collective determination built THE RIDE into a celebrated tradition — one that raised more than $14 million to advance cancer research.

The impact on the hospital has been remarkable: launching new clinical trials, advancements in cancer immunotherapy, creating innovative new cancer treatments, and fueling discoveries that are transforming care worldwide.

In 2003, he chaired the Legacy Campaign Committee, raising $100 million for the Civic Campus Emergency Department, new equipment, and medical research — building vital pillars for patient care and innovation.

In 2008, he co-led the hospital’s 20-20 Campaign for a new cancer centre, strengthening the hospital’s foundation for clinical and research excellence. His dedication has left a lasting imprint, building the framework for discoveries and innovations that continue to advance patient care today.

“Robert has been a steadfast volunteer and supporter of TOH for decades,” says Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “When he’s committed to a project, he’s a force to be reckoned with, rallying the community and inspiring others to join him. We’re fortunate to have his support.”

The impact of Robert’s generosity can be seen across the hospital. In 2014, Dr. John Bell, world-renowned senior scientist in cancer therapeutics, renamed his oncolytic virus lab the Merkley Supply Bay in honour of Robert’s unwavering support. Today, Dr. Bell’s team continues to push the boundaries of cancer research, developing innovative treatments that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

“Every gift, every act of generosity, is a brick in the foundation of our future,” says Robert. “If we each do our part, we can create something that will stand strong for generations. So, let’s do it!”

With Robert’s year-end match gift opportunity, he once again demonstrates how visionary leadership, generosity, and community engagement can create real change.

Together, inspired by his example, we can turn every gift into a building block — creating a healthier tomorrow for everyone.

Categories: Donors

Published: October 2025

Desjardins Group has made a $500,000 contribution to The Ottawa Hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow, helping advance the development of a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that will be one of the most patient-centred and technologically advanced research hospital in the country.

This support, from their GoodSpark Fund program, reflects Desjardins’ 125-year tradition of strengthening communities through solidarity, equity, and care for others. It also underscores the cooperative’s belief that when people come together, they can build a healthier, more resilient future.

The Ottawa Hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow embodies that same vision — uniting people, ideas, and innovation to redefine what healthcare can mean. This historic $500-million fundraising campaign is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform healthcare.

“We created the GoodSpark Fund to continue a long history of making a lasting impact in local communities. The Campaign to Create Tomorrow has a powerful, innovative vision that will do that not only for people in Ottawa, but also for people across Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and beyond. We’re very proud to be a part of that,” says Denis Dubois, President and CEO, Desjardins Group.

Desjardins’ GoodSpark Fund is investing $280 million by 2027 to projects that foster socioeconomic development and community vitality. Its contribution to The Ottawa Hospital’s upcoming hospital campus will help to support the hospital’s commitment to sustainability, such as green spaces and therapeutic gardens across the hospital site, giving patients, staff, and visitors welcoming places to heal, reflect, and recharge. The new hospital will also be home to groundbreaking research and will help improve care across the region.

“Improving the lives of people and communities is a powerful incentive,” Dubois says. “When you bring together a collaborative network of stakeholders around a shared ambition — one that improves the lives of individuals and creates a ripple effect across local communities and the national healthcare community — you’re not just supporting a single initiative. You’re building something bigger; you’re building a better tomorrow.”

Just as Ottawa Mayor Harold Fisher rallied Ottawa a century ago to open the original Civic Hospital in response to the 1918 pandemic, Desjardins now stands with our community to help create a hospital for the next hundred years — advancing research, innovation, and compassionate care for generations to come.

“We’re commemorating Desjardins’ 125-year legacy not only with celebration, but by making a tangible impact on the health and well-being of the people we serve,” says Dubois.

Categories: Donors

The power of community continues: TOH Auxiliary commits $1.35M to advance patient care

Category: Donors

Supporting better care for patients

Impact powered by our community

A legacy rooted in community

A personal connection to care

Building for the future

A new chapter of giving

When impact is personal

Across generations

A relationship built through leadership

Rooted in Ottawa

A shared investment in the future

A trailblazer in genetic research

Contributing in new ways

Passing the torch to young researchers

A partner-driven philanthropic initiative

‘We’re doing this in his memory’

Love at first pedal

From passion to peril

World-class trauma care

Healing, one day at a time

A history of extraordinary care

A commitment to giving back

On Giving Tuesday, Tom Moore is TRIPLING all donations — up to a total of $200,000!

Now, this Giving Tuesday, Tom has stepped forward with a matching gift and will be tripling donations on December 2, 2025 up to a total of $200,000. He hopes this opportunity will inspire others to support the hospital that has touched his life in profound ways.

And now, his latest contribution demonstrates how every dollar can become a building block in shaping the future of patient care and research. Robert is matching all donations, to a total of $1,000,000, before December 31, 2025!

The power of community continues: TOH Auxiliary commits $1.35M to advance patient care

Supporting better care for patients

Impact powered by our community

A legacy rooted in community

A personal connection to care

Building for the future

A new chapter of giving

When impact is personal

Across generations

A relationship built through leadership

Rooted in Ottawa

A shared investment in the future

A trailblazer in genetic research

Contributing in new ways

Passing the torch to young researchers

A partner-driven philanthropic initiative

‘We’re doing this in his memory’

Love at first pedal

From passion to peril

World-class trauma care

Healing, one day at a time

A history of extraordinary care

A commitment to giving back

On Giving Tuesday, Tom Moore is TRIPLING all donations — up to a total of $200,000!

Now, this Giving Tuesday, Tom has stepped forward with a matching gift and will be tripling donations on December 2, 2025 up to a total of $200,000. He hopes this opportunity will inspire others to support the hospital that has touched his life in profound ways.

And now, his latest contribution demonstrates how every dollar can become a building block in shaping the future of patient care and research. Robert is matching all donations, to a total of $1,000,000, before December 31, 2025!

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