Donors assist hospital foundation with equipment

The 2025 Smile cookie campaign proceeds of $70,646 were donated by the owners of the local Tim Hortons to the TDMH Foundation, of which $55,000 was used to purchase an ICCU bed. Left to right are: Drew Van Der Jagt, owner of Broadway Tim Hortons; Kaila Van Der Jagt, owner of Broadway Tim Hortons; Christina Gazley, owner of Simcoe Street, Oxford Street and Tillsonburg Town Centre Tim Hortons; Austin Gazley, district manager; and Mike Gazley, owner of Simcoe Street, Oxford Street and Tillsonburg Town Centre Tim Hortons. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Four substantial donations from community members helped the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Foundation fulfill its bed equipment wish list.

Every year, the foundation has a wish list of new or replacement equipment for Tillsonburg Hospital, a site of Rural Roads Health Services. Replacing all the room beds is a multi-year project, as is replacing the six intensive care unit beds.

An ICCU bed costs $55,000. Rural Roads Health Services president and CEO Nadia Facca explained the beds have all the ‘bells and whistles’, including technology to reduce pressure points on the skin, a bed exit alarm, and mobility features to assist patients with standing.

The bed-replacement program began in 2025 and aims to replace all beds over seven years. Donors of an ICCU bed have a naming plaque outside the room.

“In 2025, Verne’s Carpet One surprised everyone at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Achievement Awards while winning the Community Service Award by donating $100,000 to the foundation to support capital equipment and the bed program,” said Gerry Dearing, foundation executive director.

That donation funded one ICCU bed, and the more than $70,000 raised through the Tim Horton’s Smile Coolie campaign accounted for another.

David and Brenda Townsend provided funding for another bed.

“Last Christmas, we read about the Angels of Giving campaign, which offers the opportunity to donate funds or equipment to our hospital in memory of a loved one,” Brenda said. “We decided to support this campaign by donating an ICCU bed in memory of our nephew, Rick Teigrob.”

Rick was from Port Rowan and went to Montreal to work with Canada Post. While riding his bike to work last year, he was struck by a motor vehicle and succumbed to his injuries after several weeks in an ICCU trauma unit in Montreal.

“Tragic incidents such as this demonstrate the importance of having state-of-the-art urgent care facilities in our communities,” Brenda added. “Providing local intensive care services also allows families to be with their loved ones without having to travel to large centres such as London or Hamilton.”

Then, Ben DeCloet came forward with funding for another bed.

“I’ve had several opportunities to make use of the hospital,” he said. “It’s just a common sense idea to return what’s been given to us.”

DeCloet added he appreciated the availability of the local hospital and its equipment.

“Generous donors like these help support larger special projects we otherwise would not be able to fund,” Dearing said, adding that all donors help the foundation with its goal.

The foundation wish list includes two more ICCU beds, a bariatric bed and patient room beds.

The Angels of Giving “Light Hospital” year-end campaign starts on the day of the Santa Claus parade on Nov. 21.