Stouffville Main Street 5K raises $121K for MSH

More than 1,200 community members came together on Father’s Day for the fourth annual Stouffville Main Street 5K, raising an impressive $121,446 in support of Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH).

Hosted by the Town of Stouffville and the Office of Mayor Iain Lovatt, the event welcomed both recreational and competitive participants while raising awareness and critical funds for hospital programs and services that benefit local residents.

“The Stouffville Main Street 5K has become one of the many ways Stouffville residents are showing their commitment to local health care. We’ve already achieved incredible things in support of our hospital, but this is only the beginning,” says Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt. “Working alongside the hospital is a key part of building a complete community, and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together and excited for what’s still ahead.”

This year’s event also highlighted the personal impact of care provided at MSH. In honour of Father’s Day, grateful patient Sara Marino and her family took part in the run. The hospital has cared for multiple generations of the Marino family, from the births of Marino and her siblings to the recent arrival of her niece. It also supported her father during treatment for a rare cancer before his passing in 2009.

“I remember the doctors being so kind to me and my younger cousin,” Marino says. “While my mom and aunt were focused on everything happening with my dad, they brought us into a private room and gave us Christmas presents. As a child, that meant so much.”

Health care’s complex landscape is rapidly evolving. The MSH of tomorrow must be ready for what lies ahead while continuing to transform care delivery for the growing, aging, and diverse community. Proceeds from the event will enable the purchase of leading-edge equipment and the enhancement of patient care at MSH. Government funding alone can’t keep pace with all the hospital’s priority needs. Through MSH Foundation, community investment helps ensure the hospital can continue to expand its unique campus, grow its programs and services around real patient needs, and provide exceptional care close to home.

“The continued success of the Stouffville Main Street 5K reflects the incredible generosity and spirit of this community,” says Allan Bell, Community Relations VP at MSH Foundation. “We are proud to partner with the Town of Stouffville and thank everyone who participated for coming together to invest in exceptional care close to home.”

Visit mshf.on.ca for more details.

Photo: Runners with Dr. Bear at the start line at this year’s Annual Stouffville Main Street 5K.