The Northern Cancer Foundation, NEO Kids Foundation, and Health Sciences North Foundation are excited to announce their amalgamation into one unified entity. This amalgamation will streamline foundation operations to increase the impact of donations, with the end goal of raising more money to help better serve patients across Northeastern Ontario.
"We’re coming together for you," said Anthony Keating, President and Chief Development Officer of the new unified foundation. “And let’s be clear: This amalgamation isn’t just about efficiency – it’s coming together and creating more horsepower allowing us to raise more money and better support our patients. Our donors told us they wanted to see more impact with less duplication, and we listened."
Donors will continue to have full control over how their contributions are allocated. Whether it's for cancer care, children’s health, mental health, or ground-breaking research, all gifts will be directed according to donor intent, ensuring transparency and honouring every individual’s passion and priorities.
This strategic decision aligns with best fundraising practices already implemented by many other hospitals across Ontario. With this amalgamation, the newly consolidated foundation will be better positioned to help drive advancements in healthcare, research, and education, while supporting Health Sciences North’s (HSN) growing capital needs.
"We want our donors to feel confident that their generosity is creating real change," said Board Chair Jacob Gauthier. "By joining efforts, we’ll be able to maximise every dollar raised and have an even bigger impact on the lives of patients and their families. This is a celebration of what’s to come, but also a tribute to the legacy foundations and the tremendous work they’ve done."
The timing of the amalgamation comes as HSN embarks on a new strategic plan and a major capital redevelopment plan to expand its services and programs to meet the increasing healthcare demands of the region.
"As healthcare needs in Northeastern Ontario grow, this amalgamation will position us better to raise funds for critical projects like capital development growth, investment in new technologies, equipment and research – while ensuring HSN can continue to provide the highest level of care," added David MacNeil, President and CEO of HSN. “I want to commend everyone involved with this historic announcement and all supporters of the Foundations for putting patients first as always.”
Joining forces has already begun delivering tangible benefits. Over the past five years, combined efforts of these foundations have secured over $35 million for future capital projects, welcomed two cutting-edge MRI machines and expanded local cancer care capacity with state-of-the-art radiation bunkers.
"Imagine what our Foundation can accomplish together in the next five years," said Rick Cousineau, a long time donor and NEO Kids Board member. "With this new structure, I see our dollars and the dollars of all donors being utilised even better – with the ability to raise more funds to help our hospital grow moving forward.”
“Donors have been crucial partners in providing world class cancer care at the Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre. With this amalgamation, we remain committed to funding cancer care and cancer research now and well into the future,” said Christine Harvey, former Chair of the Northern Cancer Foundation.
This amalgamation marks the culmination of over ten years of collaboration and hard work, paying homage to the founders, board members, and donors of the Northern Cancer Foundation, NEO Kids Foundation, and Health Sciences North Foundation.
For more information and to give please visit: www.hsnfoundation.com