My wife and I have lived in this community since 1975 and have relied on Osler’s hospitals many times.

I have a compromised immune system, and, for over a decade, I have been getting monthly plasma therapy treatments at the outpatient clinic in Brampton Civic Hospital. The staff there have become like a second family to me, they are so dedicated to their roles and always make me feel right at home.

So, I always knew we were fortunate to have access to great hospitals, close to home—but it wasn’t until three days into my summer vacation in Newfoundland that I truly realized how thankful I was for Osler. While in St. John’s, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which left me without control over my hands and arms.

I can tell you that the challenges were immense, and I had to rely on my son to assist with even the simplest of tasks, like brushing my teeth and buttoning my shirt.

When it was safe for me to travel, I was flown home to Ontario and admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Brampton Civic. I spent two and a half weeks there, receiving occupational therapy, physical therapy and recreation therapy. Osler’s teams played a pivotal role in my physical recovery and they provided invaluable emotional support and motivated me along the way.

I can’t tell you how good they were to me—it was just unbelievable. As a resident, I take comfort in knowing that our community has access to these services at Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General Hospital.

I’ve come a long way in my recovery journey. I have better control over my hands and arms and I walk using a cane at home. I am even walking outdoors with the help of a walker. I know there is still work to do and that’s why I am now receiving care at the seniors’ clinic at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.

With your generous gift, Osler can help more patients like me on their journey to recovery.

When you give today your gift will be generously matched by Steve Robinson, Senior Portfolio Manager and Wealth Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities and Chair of Osler Foundation’s Board of Directors.

That means that not only will your donation will go twice as far to support the transformation of Peel Memorial into Brampton’s new hospital, but you will be helping meet the urgent health care needs of our growing populations and significantly strengthening our capacity to save lives and enhance health outcomes for generations to come.

Osler hospitals will be there for you when you need care. They were for me. Let’s be there for them.

Thank you for supporting our community hospitals.

Doug Ketchell

Grateful Patient of William Osler Health System