“I owe the Meaford Hospital site a debt of gratitude. I can never thank them enough.”

Holiday Greetings,

The Meaford Hospital Foundation asked me to share my story because they know how committed I am to support them in any way I can. At this time of year, as the holidays approach, we can get caught up in the bright lights, holiday music, shopping and gift giving – sometimes losing sight of the things around us that are life changing – like our local hospital.

Perhaps JD and I are best known for our public personae with Lite 99.3FM radio station and our long-time support of the Meaford Harbour Walk/Run for the Meaford Hospital Foundation. This year was to be my first time running, so the excitement was building as JD promoted the event on air for many weeks and we both trained to participate in July.

Sadly, JD’s mother passed away the day before the event, so we did our own run on August 24th. It was a commitment we made to ourselves and to the hospital – and we were determined to see it through. After everything the hospital had done for us, it was very important to us to give back.

In 2018, at the age of 50, JD was admitted to the Meaford site for an elevated and off sinus rhythm heart rate. His heart would race like he was running a marathon – and he had no idea what was happening to him. During his seven-day stay, the team in Meaford diagnosed Afib (atrial fibrillation) and monitored the frequency and duration of occurrences to determine the correct medication to control it. It did to a point but, on two occasions in 2021 and 2022, the team in Meaford had to stop and restart JD’s heart to achieve the correct rhythm.

JD’s cardiologist suggested a surgical procedure, and in the fall of 2022, he underwent ablation surgery in Kitchener to have heart blockages removed. He was able to go off meds in 2024 but is now back on low dose Aspirin and is monitored every three months in Meaford.

My mother got sick in 2023, feeling lightheaded, as if she was going to pass out. She’d had her share of illnesses – five brain aneurysms, three heart attacks, and cancer. This time, it was determined she had internal bleeding, and she was put on medication while various tests were done. She was back and forth to the Meaford site several times, then admitted in July, where she remained until December, with trips to Owen Sound and London for various scopes and surgery. Mom still has some ongoing issues but I’m thankful she and my dad live here in Meaford and have access to the best hospital there is.

During Mom’s hospital stay in 2023, JD and I were counting the days until our September wedding and hopeful that Mom would be well enough to attend. In the end, it was agreed it was best she remain in hospital. But we surprised her the next day, dressed in our wedding attire. Needless to say, our visit made her day.

Between JD’s and Mom’s health challenges, I’ve spent a great deal of time at the Meaford site. The nurses, doctors, and all the staff are top-notch. Even with my dad visiting constantly, they kept him updated with information and treatment plans to help alleviate any undue worry and stress he may have felt. They treat everyone like family and always greet us with a smile. I am thankful and feel blessed for every one of them.

When it comes to my family’s health care, I am grateful that we live in a community with first-class care available every day of the year. To show my gratitude to the Meaford site team, I give from the heart – and I ask you to do the same.

Our local hospital system is where we go for help in an emergency. Where our loved ones are treated with care. And the place we trust with our lives. Our hospital continues to need your support to purchase and upgrade equipment and make investments in technology. This is essential for the highest quality of care.

Because the government does not provide funding for hospital equipment or capital expenses, the Hospital Foundation must raise the money in the community to buy everything from blood pressure cuffs and patient beds to hi-tech equipment in the Diagnostic Imaging Department. They need to count on you and me. I truly believe that my husband, JD and my mother, Patricia Salisbury, are with me today thanks to the caring, professional team at the Meaford site of Brightshores Health System.

I have the Meaford hospital and their outstanding staff to thank for saving the lives of my husband and my mother. Not only did they provide exceptional care, but they always greeted me with a smile and brought me the peace of mind I so desperately needed – that my loved ones were in the best possible hands.

They were there for me… and they are here for you!

Please join me in making the Meaford site a priority on your holiday giving list this year.

With my sincere gratitude,

Wendy Moffat
Grateful Community Member

P.S. Thank you for your past support of the Meaford site. I hope you’ll consider a special gift today.