Cancer Care in Oakville: How Gifts Change Lives

For Andrew and Susan Gallagher, making a significant gift to the Oakville Hospital Foundation (OHF)was never a question of whether. Only when.

Raised with a deep belief in the importance of giving back, they carried that value into adulthood and when the time felt right, they chose to direct their generosity toward the place that had cared for the people they love most.

Grateful for the exceptional care their family has received at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital(OTMH) – including from the late Dr. Tom Stanton and from Dr. Andrea Lee – Andrew and Susan made a meaningful gift in support of the cancer care campaign.

“My parents, Thomas and Joan Gallagher, also supported the hospital and were active volunteers in the community. They taught me at a young age how important it is to give back and support locally,” Andrew reflects. “Even when we weren’t necessarily in a position to give financially, it was something we both looked forward to being able to do.”

That readiness, grounded in gratitude and guided by experience, is exactly the kind of community spirit that drives OHF forward.

Andrew and Susan have brought this perspective into their lives today, where a commitment to the community is reflected not only personally but also through Andrew’s work as owner of Gallagher Patio Structures.

That commitment has continued into the next generation. Their daughter, Kendra Gallagher, now living in New Zealand, supports healthcare in her own community.

It’s important for our children to see that while healthcare is there for everyone, we can all play a part in keeping it strong.

Andrew and Susan’s gift is about more than gratitude – it reflects a response to pressing needs. They were especially moved by the growing demand for cancer care services and chose to support the campaign to help ensure care keeps pace with the needs of the region. They also hope their gift will inspire others to consider how they, too, can show up for their community.

Gifts like theirs make dedicated programs possible such as the FOCUS Clinic (Fast Oncology Care for Urgent Symptoms) – a space at OTMH where cancer patients receive same-day care for treatment-related symptoms, in a setting designed to feel safe and supportive. It’s the kind of resource that changes how patients and families experience one of the hardest chapters of their lives. And it exists because donors choose to invest in care close to home.

If you’ve been moved by the care you or someone you love has received at OTMH, connect with one of our team members. World-class care, close to home, starts with community.