St. Joe's hospital gifted $2M by anonymous donor

A $2-million donation that hospital administrators are calling "unique" has landed at the doorstep of St. Joseph's Healthcare in London to help with patient care.

A person from the area, who wants to remain anonymous, gave the money entirely by surprise, and with instruction that it be used to make a difference in the community. 

"We're thrilled, excited, grateful and also so humbled that the donor did this entirely of their own volition. We don't see these gifts very often and certainly not when they are anonymous," said Michelle Campbell, the CEO and president of the St. Joseph's Healthcare foundation

According to Campbell, the donation is likely to be a significant portion of 2024's donations to the foundation, considering it raised a total of $11 million in total in 2023.

As an organization, St. Joseph's responded with gratitude, and an assurance the money would be "devoted to the highest priority patient care" needs at the hospital. 

Campbell said the money will make a notable difference.

"It's important to note that philanthropy does not pay for operating dollars. It doesn't pay for salaries, it doesn't pay for operating costs at the hospital," she said. "It really is for the frontline of care and for those things that we may not have sufficient resources for, including emergency medical technology."

Campbell said details around how the money will be spent are being worked out. 

"We'll be working with hospital leadership to determine the best and highest use of those dollars. The donor has given us the flexibility to make the determination on how best to utilize those funds for patient care, and that that's a real measure of confidence that we take very seriously," she said.

The donation also comes at a time when the foundation, which raises money for St. Joseph's hospitals, is experiencing a lack of clarity over how much money will be raised by the end of the holiday season.

According to Campbell, a significant portion of donations typically come in during the holidays, but the now ended Canada Post strike caused a significant drop in mail-in donations.

"There will be an impact of that [strike] felt in the charitable sector right across the country, so we knew it would be a tough year," Campbell said.

"When this came in, it was just unbelievable and really gives you a lot of heart to know there is remarkable generosity out there."