This Father's Day is especially meaningful for me.
Because I’m still here to celebrate it.
I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life serving on hospital boards and committees—experience that taught me how complex, and powerful our health care system truly is. But nothing teaches you about the value of care like being the recipient.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Since then, I’ve had not one, but two valve replacement surgeries, along with a life-saving procedure to restore blood flow to my heart. The second time around, things were more complicated; scar tissue made surgery riskier. Thankfully, the team at William Osler Health System was able to intervene quickly using a minimally invasive procedure to place a stent and open a blocked artery.
It happened in what’s known as the Cardiac Catheterization Lab—or Cath Lab for short. It’s a specialized area of the hospital where doctors use imaging and tiny instruments to diagnose and treat heart problems without open surgery. In many cases, including mine, it's the place where lives are saved—often within minutes.
To help meet the growing demand for this life-saving care, Osler is building a third Cath Lab at Brampton Civic Hospital—so more patients can get timely access when every second matters.
Because of Osler’s care and expertise, I get to continue watching my children grow. I get to hold my grandchildren. I get to experience the beautiful, ordinary moments of life that I once feared might be cut short.
And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
Not everyone realizes that much of the equipment that saves lives—like what helped save mine—isn’t paid for by government funding. It comes from donors. People like you.
That’s why I’m writing to you today.
This Father's Day, I hope you'll consider making a gift to Osler Foundation. Your generosity helps ensure that others—fathers, mothers, grandparents, neighbours—can receive the same incredible care I did, right here in our community.
Because every moment matters. And sometimes, every second counts.
With deepest gratitude,
John Cieslak
Grateful Patient and donor