In March, paramedics saved four-year-old Giovanni Machado’s life when he had seizures. He was brought to Etobicoke General’s Emergency Department where he was quickly diagnosed and treated for a serious blood infection. In late April, Machado was able to go home. His mother, Michelle, wanted to show her appreciation for what the hospital had done for her son, so she is supporting the hospital’s Osler Foundation special fundraising event at Woodbine Racetrack.

“The rapid response of the doctors and nurses to his diagnoses, their expertise and their dedication were critical to his quick recovery,” says Michelle.

She says she was surprised about all the equipment used to diagnose and treat her son was funded by the community.

“Supporting the fundraising efforts for this hospital ensures its talented nurses, physicians and practitioners can continue to provide quality health care to meet the needs of our growing community,” adds Michelle.

Etobicoke General hospital delivers nearly 2,700 babies, provides care to more than 78,000 people in its Emergency Department and performs more than 22,400 surgeries. The hospital also provides care as a first-responder to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The hospital is expanding. A new state-of-the-art, four-storey patient tower will open in 2018.

Although the provincial government will pay for most of the construction, the Osler Foundation, which oversees three GTA hospitals including Etobicoke General, must raise $25 million through the community to complete the costs and to equip the facility. The new facility will provide a much larger, more comfortable space for women giving birth; a special care nursery; new and expanded Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Units with more space for families; a new Cardiorespiratory and Electro Diagnostics Unit; and a new Ambulatory Procedures Unit for increased access to day surgery and outpatient procedures.