November Newsletter
Your Impact: Legacy in action at RVH
It’s Make a Will Month and we’re celebrating legacy at RVH.
Whether it’s a gift supporting families, a visionary driving innovation, or a volunteer with a heart for service, legacy lives in the values of those who shape this hospital.
Moving care forward takes all kinds—different skills, stories, and ways of thinking that challenge assumptions and spark new ideas.
Let’s keep building a healthier future, fueled by the strength of our diverse community.
Stay healthy. Stay wild.
A legacy of impact.
Throughout his life, Tom McCullough gave generously and led with heart.
Experiencing the NICU firsthand when their daughter Patti was born prematurely, Tom and his wife, Jeanne, made a promise: to help other families access life-saving care close to home.
Jeanne McCullough (center) accompanied by her family, paid a visit to the recognition plaque in her husband’s name, located outside RVH’s NICU.
That promise became a planned gift to RVH. When Tom passed in 2020, his legacy came to life.
Today, his gift is bringing comfort to his family and care to future generations.
A legacy of innovation.
Construction is underway on RVH’s new Centre for Research and Education, a major leap forward for healthcare in our region and a lasting tribute to a visionary philanthropist and lifelong innovator.
The late Stephen Loftus, along with his business partner, Mike Lalonde, helped bring this vision for RVH to life.
The state-of-the-art facility will train our medical teams in personalized, precise, and minimally invasive care through hands-on learning, virtual simulations, and advanced education.
It will also house the RVH Research Institute, driving breakthroughs and new treatments—bringing RVH closer to becoming an academic health sciences centre.
Take the virtual tour below:
A legacy of dedication.
Al Gilchrist is building a legacy, one act of service at a time.
He’s being recognized with the 2025 David Blenkarn Award, an honour that celebrates an exceptional volunteer whose impact is truly transformative for RVH and the people we serve.
“Al leads with heart, not only through words but through action,” shared his friend and past award recipient, David McCullough. “There’s very little Al won’t do to make life better for others.”
Congratulations, Al, on this well-deserved recognition!
Happening Now
It’s time to pick your lineup—registration for the 2026 Braestone Winter Classic is now open! Join us for a day of pond hockey in support of RVH’s Hudson Regional Cancer Centre. Space is limited, don’t get left out in the cold. While you’re waiting to lace up, catch an Innisfil Spartans game, every ticket sends $1 to RVH.
- Braestone Winter Classic – Registration open now
- Cheer on your Innisfil Spartans – $1 from every ticket supports RVH
- Drive change with Zenetec Auto – happening all month long
Your support is one of the most powerful ways to shape your legacy.
Just like Tom’s gift, it is still making a difference even after he’s gone. Or Stephen’s visionary thinking, paving the way for innovation in medical education and research. And Al’s deep dedication to the community he loves. They are each part of RVH’s story. And so are you.
When you give to RVH, you’re not just helping today, you’re investing in tomorrow. You’re fueling breakthroughs, strengthening care, and helping us attract top talent. Together, we’re building a healthier future, right here at home, for the people we love.