Clarington community takes Steps for Care toward the future of Bowmanville Hospital
BOWMANVILLE, ON – August 27, 2026 – The Clarington community is stepping up for the future of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Hospital, with Steps for Care presented by Ontario Power Generation surpassing $20,000 in peer-to-peer fundraising ahead of the inaugural community walk on Sunday, September 27.
With one month to go, this early success is building momentum for an event that will bring families, businesses, community members, and health-care teams together in support of the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital.
And beginning September 1, that momentum can go twice as far. For 12 days only, TD will match every donation to Steps for Care dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $12,500. The TD Community Match Challenge runs from September 1 to 12, giving participants and community members an opportunity to double their impact.
Steps for Care also marks the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation’s 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of community giving while looking ahead to the next 50 years of care.
“The excitement around Steps for Care is a reflection of the way this community continues to show up for Bowmanville Hospital in new and meaningful ways,” said Maria Petri, CEO, Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. “As we celebrate 50 years of community giving, I’m incredibly proud to see our community come together once again to support the future of health care in Clarington.”
The event comes as the redevelopment continues to move forward. The Request for Proposals process closed in June, with a design and build team expected to be announced this fall. The historic Lambert House has been relocated to make way for the new hospital, and land has recently been acquired to support hospital parking capacity.
“The redevelopment will transform how care is delivered, expand access to services closer to home, and ensure our growing community has a hospital ready to meet the needs of future generations,” said Kirsten Burgomaster, Health System Executive, Clinical, Lakeridge Health. “I’m proud to be participating in Steps for Care because I believe in the future of Bowmanville Hospital and the incredible impact this redevelopment will have on our patients, families and health-care teams.”
Community members are also taking part in helping shape that future.
“As our community grows, we need a hospital that’s large enough and equipped to meet our needs. Updating Bowmanville Hospital won’t just make it more modern – it will make it more effective for patients,” said Pauline Alton, captain of the Wilmot Creek Legacy Builders.
Steps for Care will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 27 at the Darlington Waterfront Trail in Courtice. Participants can register individually or create a team and enjoy a family-friendly morning featuring complimentary BBQ lunch and ice cream, TD Family Fun Zone, live entertainment, and local vendors.
Register, build a team and start fundraising today at StepsForCare.ca.
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.
Marking its 50th anniversary, the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation honours the community of giving that has shaped local care and is building on this legacy to support the health and well-being of Clarington for decades to come.
For more information contact:
Mathew Sylvestre
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
Bowmanville Hospital Foundation
905-623-3331 x 21856
Myslvestre@lh.ca