NGH Foundation raises funds to support the hospital

Emma Rogers, CEO of the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation.

Chris Abbott

Editor

The Norfolk General Hospital Foundation, which launched in 1986, has a history of fundraising in the community to purchase vital hospital equipment.

“Our government, really, funds the four walls,” said Emma Rogers, CEO of the NGH Foundation. “So the Foundation exists to ensure that the vital equipment that our doctors and nurses need is available to them. So whether that is newer technology, or other technologies coming into our life, our Foundation is essential to make sure that our hospital has the equipment that it needs.”

Their most recent fundraiser was the Heart of Healthcare Gala on Saturday, May 3.

“This is our second annual gala, and it was really community driven,” said Rogers, at the MontHill Golf and Country Club, noting the importance of the event given the hospital’s 100th anniversary.

“The community wanted an event where they could come out, celebrate the work of the Foundation, get updates on what was happening at the hospital, and also have an opportunity to give back.

“Tonight we’re going to be sharing lots of stories of impact and patient stories throughout the evening,” said Rogers, who thanked the 250 people at the gala.

“It’s almost indescribable, the feeling that you have when you see a group of individuals coming together to show support for their community,” she said, looking around a vibrant room. “It just warms my heart and I am beyond grateful. 

“I think it’s really indicative of our community. I think there is something special and unique about Norfolk County, that we really rally around to support one another. And the hospital has really been a key pillar.

“It’s a powerful thought,” Rogers said during the gala, “because it means that future of Norfolk’s healthcare is in our hands. And that gives me a lot of hope.”

Saturday’s fundraising gala included silent and live auctions, focusing on local items and experiences.

Last year’s fundraising went to a variety of hospital equipment purchases, including 11 new telemetry cardiac monitors and a new state of the art mammogram machine.

“It’s been a difficult year for the hospital… just with a lot of vital equipment coming to end of life. So, it was very difficult to see what our priorities needed to be (for 2025-26) but we will be announcing tonight at the end of the evening that we are going to be starting the year off by fundraising for a portable X-ray machine, which costs our hospital about $200,000… used in the ICU (intensive care unit), emergency room, almost every layer of our hospital.”

Other NGH Foundation fundraisers for the registered charity include Smile Cookie Week, with proceeds from Tim Hortons locations in Norfolk County donated to the Foundation.

“They are extremely generous,” said Rogers, noting the Foundation just completed a Smile Cookie decorating contest with county high schools (congratulations Valley Heights).

There will be a fundraising golf tournament in June at Greens at Renton, and an all-day radiothon in February 2026. The 2025 radiothon raised $40,000, a new record.

“The community has really stepped up,” Rogers concluded.