50th Anniversary Harvest Ball Marks Million-Dollar Night for Bowmanville Hospital’s Future
The Bowmanville Hospital Foundation’s Harvest Ball presented by RBC Wealth Management marked a million-dollar night for Bowmanville Hospital, with over $545,000 raised through the sold-out event and a separate $500,000 gift from Bowmanville resident Robert Rembosz to the We Care, We Can campaign.
Held at the Durham Convention Centre for the first time to accommodate its growing audience, the sold-out Gala welcomed over 500 guests and 42 sponsors, bringing together community members, donors, and health-care professionals to celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary and invest in the future of local health care.
“For 50 years, the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation has helped turn our community’s generosity into exceptional care close to home,” said Maria Petri, CEO, Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone. Your commitment has helped shape local care for five decades, and we’re proud to be carrying that legacy forward, together.”
Funds raised through Harvest Ball will advance the Foundation’s $1.8-million campaign for a new CT scanner at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Hospital. Installed more than a decade ago, the hospital’s current scanner performed more than 17,800 scans in 2025-2026, with numbers only expected to rise. A new scanner will maintain reliable access to critical diagnostic imaging and enhance patient care.
The new scanner will serve patients at the current hospital before moving into the redeveloped hospital when it opens.
“It’s inspiring to see our community come together to help meet today’s needs while preparing for the future,” said Lindsay Hamilton, Board Chair, Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. “Every gift toward equipment needs helps strengthen care at Bowmanville Hospital now and will continue to benefit patients and families for years to come.”
The Foundation recognized Robert Rembosz, a retired General Motors employee and proud Bowmanville resident, for his incredible $1-million gift in support of health care in our region. Of this contribution, $500,000 will support the We Care, We Can campaign and the redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital, while the remaining $500,000 will help bring a world-class orthopaedic surgical robot to Oshawa Hospital through the Lakeridge Health Foundation.
The evening also paid tribute to the late Hannu Halminen, whose remarkable generosity and lifelong commitment to local health care inspired the Hannu Halminen Equipment Fund. With more than $289,000 raised, the fund will help launch the Foundation’s CT scanner campaign, honouring Hannu’s enduring legacy and his belief in exceptional care close to home.
The Foundation thanks presenting sponsor RBC Wealth Management, event sponsors, donors, auction contributors, and volunteers for making this milestone celebration possible.
To learn more about the CT scanner campaign, make a gift, and track progress toward the $1.8-million goal, visit bowmanvillehospitalfoundation.com/ctscanner.
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About the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation & Redevelopment Project
Bowmanville Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization that has been proudly serving the Clarington community for 50 years, raising funds to support equipment needs, facility enhancements, and other high-priority initiatives at the Bowmanville Hospital. For more information, please visit WeCareWeCan.ca.
As one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario, Durham Region’s population is expected to double by 2041. To ensure our integrated, regional health system can continue to meet the rapidly growing demands of our community, the Bowmanville Hospital will undergo a once-in-a-generation rebuild, nearly doubling its current size. Once complete, the Bowmanville Hospital will usher in a new era of health care delivery in Durham Region with features including new ambulatory care clinics, a Haemodialysis Centre, Level 3 Critical Care capacity, and a rooftop helipad to support rapid access to emergency services.
For more information contact:
Mathew Sylvestre, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
Bowmanville Hospital Foundation
905-623-3331 x 21856 | Msylvestre@lh.ca