An update: Sunnybrook Renovations, Phase 2
As we reflect on another challenging year for the global community, we feel tremendously grateful for our friends and supporters of McDermott House Canada, who have enabled our mission over the past several years. Your generosity has had a tremendous impact.
We wanted to provide you with a brief update on our charity and our progress on the renovation and enhancement of the Palliative Care Unit in the Veteran Centre of Sunnybrook Hospital. This 56-bed facility, nestled among the quiet gardens of the Veterans Wing, looks after more than 400 patients every year, including veterans and first responders who have bravely served our country.
The first phase of renovations created a welcoming lobby, a peaceful garden room, open concept lounges with fireplaces for patients and their loved ones to relax and gather, as well as two state-of-the-art kitchen areas to allow families and friends to entertain and dine together. These, along with several other enhancements, were designed to make the space less institutional and provide a more humanized, comfortable environment for patients and their loved ones.
We are pleased to let you know that the second phase of renovations, which was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic, is underway and is expected to be completed by December 2022. This project has been made possible through generous donor support, led by McDermott House Canada. The second phase will emphasize the importance of family presence, the desire for patient privacy and the need for staff to be visible and accessible to all.
With the second phase of renovations funded and underway, we are proud to announce that our formal fundraising program for the palliative care unit at Sunnybrook is finished. Thank you for all of your support in making this happen. At this time, we are in the process of finalizing our next project(s) and we look forward to reaching out to you in the new year with more details, but we wanted to assure our supporters that we are committed to our legacy of serving those who have served us.
We will continue to report on how your generous contributions are providing the best possible space for the individuals who call Sunnybrook Veterans Wing home. We are optimistic (and very keen!) to celebrate together with you later 2022 with an in-person event.
On behalf of all of us at McDermott House Canada, thank you for being a part of our community. We wish you and your family health, safety, and happiness this holiday season.
