Vaughan, ON (May 12, 2025) – More than 2000 community members, sponsors, volunteers and government representatives came together this weekend to celebrate and participate in the 20th anniversary of Strides for Mackenzie Health. They gathered at Canada’s Wonderland on Saturday, May 10, 2025 to run or walk a 3K or 5K route through the renowned amusement park, just across the street from Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and minutes from Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
The milestone event was a resounding success, raising nearly $340,000 in support of priority needs at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Mackenzie Health’s network of community-based locations serving more than 550,000 residents across Richmond Hill, Vaughan and King. Since the first Strides event in 2005, this beloved local event has raised more than $3.1 million in support of Mackenzie Health, a two-hospital system that provides care for nearly 241,000 emergency department visits, more than 14,300 surgical procedures and more than 4,400 births each year.
“It’s truly inspiring to see how deeply our community cares about supporting local health care,” said Nicole McCahon, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health Foundation. “Every step taken, every dollar donated and every hour volunteered makes a real difference. Thanks to this incredible show of generosity and community spirit, we’re able to provide our hospitals and frontline teams with the critical tools they need to deliver safe, quality care.”
The event brought together people from all walks of life to walk, run, and rally support for their local hospitals. One of those people was Franca Beletic, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has seen the dedication and commitment of the nurses and doctors at Mackenzie Health firsthand.
“The team at Mackenzie Health brought calm to a scary situation. The word ‘cancer’ is not what anyone wants to hear but through my journey, I have learned so much,” said Franca. “My gratitude runs deep and I’m excited to give back by participating in Strides for Mackenzie Health.”
All funds raised will directly support Mackenzie Health’s highest priority needs — from investing in life-saving equipment and advanced technology, like medication delivery pumps or ultrasound and x-ray machines for fast and accurate diagnoses to expanding critical programs, including mental health care. These contributions help ensure Mackenzie Health can continue providing exceptional care to patients like Franca and thousands more in the western York Region community for many years to come.
“As our region continues to grow, the demand for health care in our community will only continue to rise. To keep pace and ensure we can meet residents’ future health care needs, Mackenzie Health must evolve and continue to expand — and that’s only possible through the continued generosity and commitment of our community,” said Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health. “We’re deeply grateful for the outstanding support shown through this year’s Strides for Mackenzie Health. On behalf of our patients, staff, physicians and volunteers, thank you for walking and running with us.”
Presenting partner PureHealth Pharmacy — alongside valued sponsors like Canada’s Wonderland, Magna, Zancor Homes, and others — played a vital role in making this event possible through their generous sponsorship and unwavering commitment to local health care.
There’s still time to make an impact. Donations can be made to support the event until May 31 at MHFStrides.ca.
To learn more or donate to Mackenzie Health Foundation, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca.
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About Mackenzie Health and Mackenzie Health Foundation
Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional health care provider. Mackenzie Health includes Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, each with a full-service emergency department, core services such as surgery, medicine and critical care along with specialized programs. Its community-based locations and services continue to provide additional support to western York Region and beyond.
By inspiring meaningful gifts, Mackenzie Health Foundation helps ensure compassionate and leading-edge care continues to be available for the people of York Region. Community donors recently helped build and equip Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital thanks to the generous support of the $250-million Ultimate campaign – the largest campaign led by a community hospital in Canada. Going forward, fundraising efforts will ensure a steady flow of resources to attract the very best talent, advance excellence in programs and services and secure the latest equipment and technology as Mackenzie Health focuses on providing the best possible outcomes for every patient who comes through its doors.
Mackenzie Health is proud to serve a population of more than half a million people across western York Region and beyond. It is one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada. For more information, please visit mackenziehealth.ca or mackenziehealthfoundation.ca.
Media contact:
Christina Cindric, Senior Communications Consultant and Public Affairs Lead
christina.cindric@mackenziehealth.ca
905-883-1212 ext. 7490
More than 2,000 community members participated in the 20th Strides for Mackenzie Health at Canada’s Wonderland on May 10, 2025 to raise funds for local health care in western York Region.
Local government representatives joined Mackenzie Health and Mackenzie Health Foundation leadership to cheer on participants at the 20th Strides for Mackenzie Health at Canada’s Wonderland on May 10, 2025.
From left: Strides for Mackenzie Health Committee Co-chair Seyfi Tomar, Mayor of Vaughan Steven Del Duca, MPP for Thornhill Laura Smith, Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO Nicole McCahon, Chair of the Mackenzie Health Foundation Board of Directors Mario Paura, MPP for King-Vaughan Stephen Lecce, Richmond Hill Councillor Simon Cui, Strides for Mackenzie Health Committee Co-chair Joyce Frustaglio and Mackenzie Health President and CEO Altaf Stationwala.
Chair of the Mackenzie Health Foundation Board of Directors Mario Paura (second from left) and Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO Nicole McCahon (centre) pose with Mackenzie Health Foundation staff as they celebrate the nearly $340,000 (and counting!) raised in support of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Mackenzie Health’s network of community-based locations at the 2025 Strides for Mackenzie Health.
From left: Mackenzie Health Executive Vice President of Strategy and Clinical Support David Stolte, Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO Nicole McCahon, Mackenzie Health President and CEO Altaf Stationwala and Mackenzie Health Vice President of Medical Planning and Chief of Staff Dr. Steven Jackson pose for a photo after the 5K.
Franca Beletic, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, decided to participate in Strides for Mackenzie Health to share her appreciation of the doctors and nurses caring for her at Mackenzie Health. Her team of friends, family and supporters were the top fundraisers, raising more than $20,000 in support of local health care.
Participants young and old celebrate the completion of their 3K or 5K run or walk at the Strides for Mackenzie Health post-event celebration at Canada’s Wonderland with food, music and entertainment generously provided by local York Region businesses.