When Welland resident Deborah awoke one morning, it felt like the room was swimming and she couldn’t find her place in it. “It was a strange, disorienting feeling and disconcerting because I didn’t know what was happening,” Deborah called 911 and was rushed to the Welland hospital.

On November 15, 2023, I experienced a serious seizure while at my home. My wife found me in front of the TV, already unconscious, and shortly thereafter I went into convulsions. She called 911 and emergency services personnel including fire and ambulance were at my home within a number of minutes.

“Everybody gets sick some time. Even if it’s not you personally, then you have a friend or a relative and want them to have great care!” For Niagara Health Foundation supporter Kim K., giving to your local hospital is a no-brainer. The Niagara Falls resident has had several surgeries over the years and says she couldn’t be more grateful for the staff at the different hospital sites.

At this time one year ago, Ashley was expecting her second child and was busy planning the holidays with her husband and their then one-year-old son Henry. In February, 2023, Ashley went to the St. Catharines hospital for her 9:30am C-section, ready to hold her newborn baby. Towards the end of her C-section, her doctor called for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team member, sensing that Ashley’s little boy was going to need a little bit more help. “It was such a good call by my doctor because as it turns out, Charley needed to go to the NICU right away,” Ashley remembers.

Life was good when Barbara headed to the racetrack with her husband for a Father’s Day outing earlier this year. About halfway through the afternoon, Barbara put her head on her husband’s shoulder. That simple moment would be one of the last things she remembers about that day. Barbara couldn’t move her left leg or left arm and the left side of her face was drooping. A friend rushed to get a first responder and 911 was called. Barbara was having a stroke.