Midland hospital foundation raises $1.8M for mammography program

The Olive Oil & Winner Dinner, held at Rawley Resort on July 24, helped complete the $1.8-million fundraising goal for mammography at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). From left: Robyn Kaczanowski, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation; Chris Bondar, We See You campaign co-chair; Adele Newton & Anne-Marie Walker, event organizers; and We See You campaign co-chair Candice Bondar.. Mon., Aug., 11, 2025. PHOTO: GBGH

More than 700 people, businesses and community groups came together to bring a new mammography service to Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).

Three events in the last days of July including, the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic, the Olive Oil & Wine Dinner at Rawley Lodge, and the Cedar Ridge barbecue, collectively raised $425,000.

These volunteer-run, community events brought a collective audience of more than 350 people in support of early detection for breast cancer through routine screening.

“It was a powerful week for our community with so much generosity and love for GBGH,” says Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation. “The magic is watching each person make a contribution that’s meaningful to them – whether through an auction bid, donation or ticket purchase – and seeing how the collective results make a significant impact for health care.”

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There are more than 16,000 patients age 40-74 in the Midland area who are eligible for the Ontario Breast Screening Program mammography imaging, but who must travel nearly 50 kilometres for the diagnostic test.

Mammography at GBGH is a natural fit, as the hospital already offers breast tissue biopsies, breast MRIs and breast cancer surgery.

“We know that screening and early detection for breast cancer is key to saving lives, and we are committed to designing a program that makes this service more accessible for our community,” says Matthew Lawson, president & CEO, GBGH. “Thanks to the incredible generosity through our Foundation, we can move forward with renovations for the mammography program this fall.”