It was more than just another sunny day at the beautiful Osprey Links Golf Course.
For the past 21 years, golfers have gathered to participate in the Osprey Links Charity Golf Gala.
Former Premier Mike Harris was once again the honourary chair for this year’s event. He credits the Minogue family for starting this tournament when the golf course first opened in the late 1990s.
“It started with Peter and Barb Minogue wanting to give back, me wanting to do something back into the community. So it has been an easy annual event because you know I hate golf, it is a good cause and we have a lot of fun,” said Harris, who is also a former golf pro.
“So it’s not just about raising money too, it is also about raising friends and friend awareness and whatnot, of the various causes that we have had and the hospital. It’s a good one.”
More than $500,000 has been raised since this event first teed off, with $52,000 raised through Wednesday's Gala.
This year the funds will go toward the Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Care Close To Home Program.
Paul Heinrich, President & CEO of the North Bay Regional Health Centre says it is critical to have community support through events like this to help make investments in technology that actually support care.
“We have all the latest equipment that is not fully funded by government grants and it needs to be augmented by the community and that is why we have events like this and we could not be more grateful to all the sponsors,” said Heinrich.
“People do not realize that even though we rely heavily on Sudbury for some of our tracheary programs there is so much care close to home that happens in the cancer area, so much diagnostics and treatment, people do not understand the full range of services we provide and we are always trying to enhance that care close to home.”
NIpissing MPP Vic Fedeli is the honourary co-chair of the event.
“This one today is really about cancer care close to home. We want you to be able to have services here quite frankly in the comfort of your home or at least within our own community, so that is a big part of where this fundraising will go,” he said.
Shawn Flindall, from title sponsor OneLife Wealth Management, believes giving back to this cause makes sense for their investment firm.
“I think the commitment the hospital and the foundation have to the community and to the future fits really well with our visions and values at OneLife so it was a bit of no-brainer to be involved in this,” said Flindall.
Patient and campaign volunteer Matt Payne, shared his personal story. “Going through cancer is tough, and it might sound strange, but my experience as a patient was good. I felt so well taken care of. There was always a sense of urgency. It felt like my care and treatment was important to everyone. My fight was their fight, with all the care providers having a real stake in returning me to good health,” shared Payne.
