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On May 15, something special happened outside the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC). Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation (HHSF) unveiled a bright pink bench with a commemorative plaque in honour of BRIGHT (Breast Cancer Research in Greater Hamilton Today) Run, the beloved community event that has raised more than $6.5 million for local breast cancer research since its founding.

Born from the heart of a community

BRIGHT Run didn’t begin in a boardroom. It began with patients. Breast cancer patients at JHCC told their health care providers they wanted to fund research happening at the very Centre that had cared for them, and they wanted to do it together. That simple but powerful idea lit a spark.

In 2008, a dedicated group of oncologists, surgeons, nurses and therapists – experts in medicine, newcomers to event planning – rose to the challenge. On September 6th of that year, more than 1,000 participants gathered at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area in the rain and raised more than $250,000. The excitement was unmistakable. BRIGHT Run was born.

Group of BRIGHT Run organizers, supporters and healthcare staff gathered behind a bright pink commemorative bench outside Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in honour of the community event’s support for breast cancer research.

“BRIGHT Run is all about community – patients, survivors, supporters, volunteers and community partners,” says BRIGHT Run event chair Nancy McMillan. “We come together to provide support, inspiration, hope and to celebrate ‘being.’ What we accomplish together changes lives.”  

Now held annually at Christie Lake Conservation Area on the first Saturday after Labour Day, BRIGHT Run is a non-competitive 1 km or 5 km walk or run open to all ages and abilities. The 2025 event welcomed 1,700 participants and 200 volunteers. Every dollar raised goes entirely and directly to local breast cancer research.

To date, 24 research projects have been funded, including two new ones in 2025. BRIGHT Run has also supported the research component of the PYNK Program at JHCC, providing specialized care for breast cancer patients under 40.

“The research funded through this event has a direct impact on the care we’re able to provide to breast cancer patients right here in Hamilton,” says Dr. Chris Hillis, Hamilton Health Sciences’ vice president of oncology and site executive for JHCC.

A milestone worth marking

“When $6.5 million is raised entirely by volunteers, one step at a time, you realize there is nothing a community can’t do when it works together to achieve a shared goal,” says Anissa Hilborn, chief executive officer of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

The pink bench and its plaque now stand as a permanent tribute outside the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre. It’s a daily reminder of the thousands of steps taken and lives changed by this extraordinary community.

BRIGHT futures are built one step at a time. Thank you, BRIGHT Run, for showing just how far those steps can go.

The Joyce Family Foundation helps open a new era of research, policy and care

A truly innovative vision is now a reality at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre (RJCHC). Today, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation welcomed The Joyce Family Foundation to unveil a special plaque celebrating their transformational $5 million gift to support the establishment of the National Centre for Autism Collaboration (NCAC). Their generosity proved to be the catalyst the project needed and inspired an additional $5 million in community investment that together brought the NCAC from an ambitious vision to a fully realized national hub.

In Canada, 1 in 50 children are diagnosed with autism, and that number continues to rise. Yet many families still face long wait times for diagnosis and limited access to evidence-based care. The NCAC brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and communities from across the country to tackle these challenges in a coordinated way.

“Ron Joyce felt a personal responsibility to support young Canadians and their inherent dignity and potential,” says the Chair of The Joyce Family Foundation Rob MacIsaac. “Investing in a future where every autistic child has access to the care and support they deserve feels like a natural extension of Ron’s legacy.”

Now in its third year, the NCAC is already making an impact. Through four core areas (a Data & Science Hub, Knowledge & Evidence Synthesis Portal, Policy Collaborative, and Training Collaborative) it is connecting experts from coast to coast to coast. Through the Autism Alliance of Canada, the NCAC’s evidence-to-policy infrastructure is helping advance Canada’s Autism Strategy and train future leaders through programs like the Data-to-Policy Fellowship.

The new collaboration space unveiled today at RJCHC serves as the physical home of this national effort. Designed with both function and community in mind, the space includes meeting rooms, workstations and dedicated areas for collaboration.

For Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Director of the Offord Centre for Child Studies and the inaugural holder of the McMaster Children’s Hospital Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopment, the NCAC represents a long-overdue answer to a persistent challenge facing autistic Canadians and their families.

Group of partners and leaders beside a plaque recognizing the Joyce Family Foundation’s support for the National Centre for Autism Collaboration at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre

Left to Right:
Stelios Georgiades | Director, Offord Centre for Child Studies and McMaster Children’s Hospital Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopment
Holly Augerman | Director, Child and Youth Mental Health and Autism Services (RJCHC)
Pearl Veenema | Retired CEO (Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation)
Rob MacIssac | Chair of Board, Joyce Family Foundation
Maureen O’Neill | Executive Director, Joyce Family Foundation
Anissa Hilborn | Chief Executive Officer (Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation)
Karen Margallo | Director, Child & Family Community Integrated Care (RJCHC)

“For too long, families living with autism have faced fragmented systems of care and research. That in turn lead to delays and inequities in services and supports. By connecting the right people and organizations and acting on the best available evidence, we can improve policies and programs and transform the lives of autistic children and youth across Canada.”

Donor support makes this progress possible. The NCAC’s national scope extends beyond traditional health care funding models, making philanthropy essential to its success. The Joyce Family Foundation’s exceptional gift helped move the Centre from concept to reality. Today’s plaque unveiling represents a new chapter for autism research, policy, and care across Canada. “The Joyce Family Foundation has exemplified what it means to be a true philanthropic partner,” says Anissa Hilborn, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “Their early belief in this vision helped turn an ambitious idea into a national effort with real impact.”

A generous gift from a long-time donor is bringing more world-class cancer detection and treatment technology to south-central Ontario, giving patients and their families new hope. 

The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation’s $1,395,000 gift will benefit two priority initiatives: a new Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner, and magnetic seed therapy equipment at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC). 

For over 60 years, the Caledonia-based foundation has advanced health care in south-central Ontario — supporting Hamilton Health Sciences since 2012 with more than $8.6 million enabling many priority projects including the build of the Ron and Nancy Clark Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Unit at JHCC. Supporting Hamilton Health Sciences has been extremely important to the Foundation, as cancer patients from the Caledonia/Haldimand community are commonly referred to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for care.

“The Foundation believes that giving back to health care is one of the most meaningful ways to support our community. For over a decade, we have been thrilled to see the impact of our partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences, demonstrating time and time again what can be achieved when we work together to build a brighter future for patients and their families.” 

– The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation 

Accelerating Answers with PET/CT 

Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective cancer treatment. Thanks to this gift, health care teams at JHCC will have access to one of the most powerful tools in modern cancer care: the PET/CT scanner. This advanced imaging system provides a detailed, real-time view of cancer activity in the body. It allows oncologists to locate tumors with greater precision, and gather the exact information needed to create personalized treatment plans. For patients, this means a faster path to the right treatment and better outcomes. 

“The PET/CT scanner is transformative in how we diagnose and monitor cancer. It allows us to see not just where cancer is, but how it’s behaving. This will enable our clinicians to make faster, more accurate decisions and deliver the most effective, individualized care possible.” 

– Dr. Chris Hillis, Chief of Oncology, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre 

Making Breast Surgery Safer and More Precise 

The Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation’s contribution is also advancing care for patients managing a breast cancer diagnosis. The introduction of magnetic seed therapy is making breast cancer surgery safer, more comfortable, and more efficient. This innovative technique replaces the need for older, radioactive methods of tumor localization. Surgeons can now insert a tiny, non-radioactive magnetic seed to mark a tumor’s location. Using a handheld probe, they can guide the procedure with extreme accuracy, ensuring the complete removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This technology reduces the number of procedures a patient may need and improves their overall experience. 

“The support of strong partners like the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation is so important to bringing to life the innovative treatments and therapies that make meaningful change in the lives of patients.”

– Anissa Hilborn, CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation 

A Legacy of Transformative Giving 

The ongoing generosity of the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation brings more than just leading-edge equipment and resources to JHCC. It brings hope to patients and peace of mind to their families. Their visionary support ensures clinical specialist teams have the cutting-edge tools they need to provide the best possible care. This enduring partnership is a powerful example of how community-focused philanthropy directly improves and saves lives. 

In 2018, Karen Choong, a critical care doctor at McMaster Children’s Hospital and professor in the Department of Pediatrics, received $25,000 to improve recovery after intensive care treatment. 

The result was PICU Liber8: Eight Steps Toward Better Pediatric Recovery. This innovative rehabilitation program focuses on patient comfort, sedation stewardship, early mobilization, sleep hygiene, optimal nutrition and family engagement. Its goal is to “liberate” children from common complications of critical illness and support a smoother, more holistic recovery. 

What happens when doctors ask about more than just symptoms?

In 2022, Gita Wahi, a general pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, received $25,000 to explore how social challenges affect child health. 

Her study introduced a new screening tool to help doctors identify unmet social needs among patients and their families. Findings led to the creation of a food pantry and grocery gift card program at McMaster Children’s Hospital to support families experiencing food insecurity. This work was published in the Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health and continues to inform care practices today. 

Can we spot the warning signs of high blood pressure earlier?

In 2024, pediatric nephrologist and associate professor Rahul Chanchlani received $25,000 to support his ALERT-BP study, focused on identifying early signs of high blood pressure in children. 

His research aims to improve screening and long-term outcomes by highlighting the links between childhood hypertension and future risk of heart and kidney disease. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study showed that youth with high blood pressure face significantly higher long-term risks of serious heart conditions, including stroke and heart attack. 

Other research questions we are asking:

In 2021, Mark Tarnopolsky, holder of the McMaster Children’s Hospital Research Chair in neuromuscular disorders, was awarded $65,000 to investigate how exercise can improve outcomes in more than 150 different neuromuscular conditions. 
 
In 2022, a significant donation to McMaster Children’s Hospital helped launch one of the world’s first pediatric fecal microbiota transplant pilot programs, offering life-saving treatment to children with C. difficile infections. 
 
In 2024, pediatric gastroenterologist Jenna Dowhaniuk received $25,000 to support her research on how to improve care for children living with celiac disease. 

“Behind every breakthrough is a donor who believed in the power of research,” said Anissa Hilborn, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. 

 “Thanks to our community of supporters, children in our community, region and beyond can benefit from research that is delivering better care, comfort and outcomes.” 

The Juravinski Research Institute (JRI) is supporting a groundbreaking project by Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton that could transform cancer treatment in Hamilton and serve as a model for cancer care across Canada. 

The initiative—called Enhancing Liquid Biopsy Evaluation and Data Analytics for Personalized Medicine or ELEVATe-PM—will develop better ways to detect and track cancer using simple blood tests. These tests, known as liquid biopsies, can identify minimal residual disease—tiny amounts of cancer that may remain after treatment—and help doctors tailor care to each patient’s needs. 

Led by Aly-Khan Lalani, MD, Tobias Berg, MD and Darryl Leong, MBBS, PhD, the research team brings together clinicians, scientists and digital health experts from Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Patient representatives are also part of the team, ensuring the work reflects real-world needs and experiences. 

“We’re excited about what this means for cancer patients,” said Lehana Thabane, chair of the JRI scientific committee and vice-president of research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

“This project combines cutting-edge diagnostics with artificial intelligence to support more personalized, effective care. It’s about delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.” 

The program will initially include select patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Cancer Centre. It will build streamlined systems to collect and analyze specific biomarkers in blood—such as circulating tumour DNA or cancer-related proteins (such as KIM-1)—making it easier for clinicians to monitor disease and make treatment decisions. 

ELEVATe-PM will also harness electronic health records and advanced data analytics to identify patients who could benefit from the tests. The team aims to integrate results directly into care plans, helping oncologists act quickly and accurately. 

With the potential to expand to other cancer types, the project positions Hamilton as a leader in personalized cancer care and health data innovation. 

“We are grateful to the JRI for funding our work,” said Lalani, a medical oncologist and the nominated lead principal investigator. “Together with our collaborative, city-wide team, we aim to integrate innovative blood testing into routine clinical workflows to benefit patients in Hamilton. We will also harness the power of AI and data analytics to evaluate and enhance efficiencies within our cancer research program. Throughout this project, we will actively seek international best practices from leading researchers in these fields.” 

The JRI is improving the health of Canadians by advancing groundbreaking research at Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The Institute and its projects are funded through the generosity of the late Hamilton philanthropists, Charles and Margaret Juravinski, and the Juravinski Foundation. Join Charles and Margaret’s lasting legacy in pioneering health research by making a gift in support of the JRI. 

Every year, more than 50,000 people rely on Hamilton General Hospital’s (HGH) Emergency Department (ED) for life-saving care. From cardiac arrests and strokes to severe trauma, HGH stands as the regional hub for emergency medicine in south-central Ontario. But the system is stretched to its limit.

The HGH ED, built for an era with far fewer demands, is now overwhelmed. Patient volumes have outgrown the current space, forcing care into hallways and non-clinical areas. This not only compromises patient privacy and comfort but raises serious concerns about safety. Even the most skilled healthcare teams are limited in what they can provide when the environment isn’t equipped to meet the region’s growing needs.

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation is answering this call for change with a fundraising campaign to support a major redevelopment of the HGH ED. With the support of initial government funding, this project will achieve significant improvements, including:

  • • Expanding the ED to 22,000 square feet
  • • Adding more treatment rooms and airborne isolation units
  • • Enhanced triage and patient flow processes to reduce wait times
  • • Creating a safer, state-of-the-art, patient-centered environment

Serving a population of over 2.3 million, HGH is one of Canada’s premier centres for trauma, cardiac, vascular, and stroke care. The region’s needs are only increasing as the population ages and grows. This redevelopment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform emergency care for countless patients and families.

This vital improvement can only happen with your support.

The total cost of this essential redevelopment is estimated to exceed $20 million. The Ministry of Health has committed initial funding, but philanthropy plays a critical role in bringing this vision to life. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation has committed to raising a minimum of $5 million to support this urgent need. This is an opportunity for our community to come together and make a profound and lasting impact on health care in our region.

By joining our community of supporters, you’re helping ensure a healthier future for hundreds of thousands of people. Together, we can provide the space, privacy, and safety that every patient deserves.

Be part of this transformation. Support the future of emergency care today.

Interested in making a gift? Please donate at www.hamiltonhealth.ca/donate, or if you are interested in learning more about how you can make a significant impact, contact Sherri Bocchini, VP Philanthropy & Partnerships at bocchini@hhsc.ca.

Every discovery starts with a question.

From how to reduce rates of childhood obesity to how to help kids more fully recover from intensive care, researchers at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) are tackling some of the most pressing questions in child health. 

With support from MacKids — and events such as the flagship MacKids Walk & Wheel, a growing community of donors is helping turn bold ideas into life-changing care for children and families in Hamilton and around the world. 

Here are just some of the questions HHS researchers are exploring with that support: 

Could we prevent obesity-related disease before it starts?

As childhood obesity rates continue to climb, Katherine Morrison pediatric endocrinologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) and professor in the Department of Pediatrics, saw an urgent need for a new approach. 

In 2012, with a $150,000 contribution from MacKids, she and her co-director, Gregory Steinberg, launched a program to develop better strategies for preventing and treating obesity-related diseases. By 2018, the initiative grew into the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research (MODR). 

Today, MODR is home to a team of scientists whose work is transforming care through innovative metabolic disease research. With early donor support, the centre has gone on to attract major external funding and publish in high-impact journals such as Nature and The Lancet. 

The human brain is incredibly complex, managing everything from our breathing and movement to our thoughts, emotions and memories. According to the World Health Organization, brain-related disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, significantly impacting people’s health and well-being. There is a critical need to better understand how the brain functions and to develop novel treatments and interventions that can improve or retain brain health. 

Thanks to funding from the Juravinski Research Institute (JRI), a team of researchers is charting a course to make Hamilton an international leader in brain health imaging and research. 

The new Hamilton Integrated BrainHealth Research Platform will combine clinical care, research, big data and artificial intelligence, with the goal of discovering new ways to improve brain health. 

The research platform has three core pillars: 

  • • Research registry: By gathering detailed brain data and images from current patients and community members, the research team will build a unique database to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and personalized treatment of brain diseases. 
  • • Learning health system: By integrating real-world patient data to generate evidence, the platform will assess brain-based biomarkers to improve care immediately. This learning health system will foster new opportunities for collaboration and education among patients, clinicians and researchers. 
  • • Pilot testing novel brain-based treatments: The platform will launch early-stage studies to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of groundbreaking new treatments, such as deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (which uses powerful magnetic fields to stimulate the brain), on brain diseases including dementia, substance use disorder and chronic pain. The data will lay the foundation for clinical trials, ultimately bringing the treatments into widespread use. 

“The platform will allow us to make important discoveries in brain-related research areas such as psychiatry, neuroscience, aging, neurology and pediatrics,” said Lehana Thabane, Chair of the JRI scientific committee and Vice President of research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  

“We are excited about the potential to significantly advance research and patient care, setting the stage for Hamilton’s global leadership in brain health.” 

The research team includes members across Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, led by James MacKillop, PhD; with Benicio Frey, MD, PhD; Justin Lee, MD; Ipsita Goswami, MD; Mike Noseworthy, PhD; and Maura Marcucci, MD, from Humanitas University.