You & WRHN Foundation. Together.
You & WRHN Foundation. Together.
Because of you, care stays close to home.
Because of you, care stays close to home.
Maybe you were born at a WRHN hospital. Maybe you sat in a waiting room with someone you love, or a nurse held your hand on a hard day. Maybe you've given, volunteered, or simply driven past one of our sites and felt glad it's there.
Whatever WRHN means to you, the care inside its walls is stronger because of you. Every volunteer hour, every sponsorship, and every act of donor generosity advances care for this community and the more than 1.4 million people – 10 per cent of Ontario’s population – who count on WRHN. To every one of you, thank you.
Maybe you were born at a WRHN hospital. Maybe you sat in a waiting room with someone you love, or a nurse held your hand on a hard day. Maybe you've given, volunteered, or simply driven past one of our sites and felt glad it's there.
Whatever WRHN means to you, the care inside its walls is stronger because of you. Every volunteer hour, every sponsorship, and every act of donor generosity advances care for this community and the more than 1.4 million people – 10 per cent of Ontario’s population – who count on WRHN. To every one of you, thank you.
You’re one of 17,308 unique donors!
- Saying thank you through giving
Share. Thank. Give. is WRHN Foundation’s grateful patient program. It’s a meaningful way for patients and their families to share gratitude for the care they received at WRHN, either by making a donation or simply thanking members of their care teams.
Thank you to the 500-plus patients and families who donated through our grateful patient program in 2025-26.
Grateful patient spotlight
More than 1,250 days of memories, and counting...
'Family trips, holidays, major milestones, they all feel more significant,' he says.
'I owe the staff at WRHN my life. I’m their No. 1 fan.'
In March 2023, at 43 years old, Cory Smith’s aorta tore abruptly. Emergency surgery at WRHN saved his life. Cory survived an aortic dissection – something few people can say. Approximately 90 per cent of patients who suffer aortic dissections die within the first hour, his surgeon, Dr. Kassem Ashe, told him.
In the years since, Cory has continued to give back to WRHN Foundation as a grateful patient – first by organizing his own fundraiser, then by fundraising through various Foundation events.
Cory shares his story proudly, because he knows how close it came to ending too soon.
Tribute Giving Spotlight
Honouring Randy Walden
For Randy Walden, community was never just a place. It was the people who showed up for one another when it mattered most.
A proud supporter of local healthcare, Randy believed everyone deserved access to exceptional care close to home. After his passing in 2023, his family and friends chose to honour that belief by creating the Randy Walden Memorial Charity Golf Classic in support of WRHN.
What began as a tribute quickly became something bigger. A community coming together to carry forward Randy's generosity and commitment to others. Every golfer, every volunteer and every donor reflects the values Randy lived every day: compassion, generosity and a belief that we all have a role to play in strengthening healthcare.
His story reminds us that one life can continue to make a difference long after it is lived.
Donor Spotlight
Investing in care. Investing in community.
If we don’t have healthcare, what do we have?
— Manfred Conrad
For Manfred and Penny Conrad, giving back isn't just about philanthropy; it's about helping build a stronger community for future generations.
When Manfred immigrated to Waterloo Region in 1963, he arrived with little more than a few dollars. He began painting homes, and years later, alongside his wife Penny, founded The Cora Group – a company that grew into one of the region's largest real estate developers and property managers.
As their business flourished, so did their commitment to their community.
In 2008, they established The Manfred and Penny Conrad Family Foundation to further support initiatives in health, education, the arts, and disaster relief, with their children playing an active role in the family's philanthropy.
They view healthcare as an essential piece of our community.
"One day, every one of us will need a hospital," Manfred says. "The question is: do we want access to world-class care close to home?"
The Conrad family has answered WRHN Foundation's call time and again, supporting cancer care, cardiac care, diagnostic equipment, and countless improvements that enhance patient experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they stepped forward once again when Waterloo Region hospitals needed them most.
Their commitment and generosity is deeply personal. Having spent time at WRHN in recent years, the family has experienced exceptional care firsthand.
"There is no better place in the world for our care," says Manfred. "The nurses, doctors and all the staff really take care of you."
For the Conrad family, investing in healthcare is an investment in the future of Waterloo Region.
You & WRHN Foundation. Together.
- UP NEXT
Learn more about our top fundraising priorities and see some of the life-saving equipment, programs and resources you supported in 2025–2026:
