The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) Foundation is set to host its sixth annual Read4BCHS fundraiser, a community-wide initiative to raise funds for pediatric and infant care. The event will run from February 4 to 26, 2025, and aims to engage readers of all ages in support of the youngest patients at the Brantford General Hospital.
Since its inception during the pandemic, Read4BCHS has grown into a cornerstone event for the BCHS Foundation, raising over $100,000 in its first five years. “This event started as a way to make learning exciting during a challenging time,” says Kari Wilson, Executive Director of the BCHS Foundation. “Now, it’s a vibrant initiative that helps individuals explore their literacy goals while teaching the importance of community support.”
Funds raised through Read4BCHS go directly toward purchasing critical pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) equipment not covered by the Ministry of Health. Over the years, the event has enabled the acquisition of items such as Bili blankets for phototherapy, bassinets, and renovations to the Pediatric Acute Referral Service (PARS) Clinic, which sees over 3,000 annual visits.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” says Wilson, noting that more than $2 million in equipment needs have been identified for the NICU, Pediatrics, and Labor & Delivery departments in the coming years. “This equipment is vital for providing care to our youngest patients, and we rely on the generosity of our community to make it happen.”
The success of Read4BCHS relies heavily on community participation. The event encourages individuals, families, classrooms, and community groups to read, record their progress, raise funds, and get rewarded for their efforts. Participants span Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County.
“Community involvement is at the heart of everything we do,” says Wilson. “When we engage our community in healthcare fundraising, we build a vibrant network of support that amplifies our impact. It’s about coming together to create a healthier future for everyone.”
Wilson shared a recent example of the program’s impact: “One family noted how their granddaughter only needed a single day of treatment with a Bili blanket for jaundice, whereas their grandson had previously required a nine-day hospital stay for the same condition. It’s these outcomes that remind us of the importance of what we do.”
Like many hospitals, the Brant Community Healthcare System relies on community donations to fund critical equipment, from wheelchairs to MRIs. “Donor dollars make a difference,” Wilson explains. “They fund everything from basic medical tools to cutting-edge technology, ensuring our healthcare system can meet the needs of the community.”
The BCHS Foundation has also outlined plans to expand its fundraising efforts, including targeted initiatives for redevelopment projects and the 10% local funding share required for major healthcare expansions.
The BCHS Foundation Board Chair, Dr. Lee Ferrao, and committee member Heather Wilson both emphasize the program’s ability to bring the community together through reading. “Reading opens doors to new ideas, connections, and adventures,” says Wilson. “It’s a simple but powerful way to support pediatric patients while engaging in something enjoyable.”
The BCHS Foundation continues its commitment to raising essential funds for the Brantford General and The Willett, Paris, ensuring the local healthcare system can deliver exceptional care for years to come.
Participants are encouraged to register by contacting Haidee Scheers at haidee.scheers@bchsys.org or visiting the BCHS Foundation’s website at Read4BCHS.
