Ripple Effects of Saving a Young Life

Mother and her 4-year-old son: compelling example of critical role played by Etobicoke General
Hospital
Michelle Machado and her 4-year-old son Giovanni recently took part in Osler
Foundation’s special fundraising event at Woodbine Racetrack as their way of giving
back. You see, in March, Giovanni had a terrifying seizure and paramedics brought him
to his community hospital – Etobicoke General’s Emergency Department. There he was
compassionately cared for, quickly diagnosed and treated for a serious blood infection.
In late April, young Giovanni returned home and is now happily enjoying summer
vacation with his family and neighborhood friends; and his mother is forever grateful to
the team at Etobicoke General for saving her son’s life.
Given what Etobicoke General has done for her son, it should come as little surprise
that Michelle is active in the current fundraising drive. She’s happy to share her son’s
healthcare story to illustrate the importance of Etobicoke General’s paediatric care to
the community.
“The rapid response of the doctors and nurses to his diagnosis, their expertise and
dedication were critical to his quick recovery,” says Michelle, who has two other
children. “When I learned that all the equipment that was used to diagnose and treat
Giovanni was funded by the community, it really surprised me. 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.”
Every day of the year, behind the scenes, Etobicoke General Hospital plays a vital role
in the health care of the residents of Etobicoke and the surrounding communities.
Etobicoke General is especially active when it comes to both bringing babies into this
world and treating young children. Every year, it delivers nearly 2,700 babies, provides
care to more than 78,000 people in its Emergency Department, and performs more than
22,400 surgeries.
In addition, Etobicoke General provides care as a first-responder to Toronto’s Pearson
International Airport where a number of medical emergencies, varying in complexity,
and involving both local residents and foreign visitors, unfold on a regular basis.
Etobicoke General, now stretched beyond its original capacity, has embarked on an
ambitious expansion and revitalization program that will see a new state-of-the-art, fourstorey
patient tower opening in 2018.
While 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. It must also provide the
total funding to equip the facility.
“They’re not just supporting your child, they’re supporting your whole family,” says
Michelle. “We were in a situation where there was nothing but fear. Etobicoke General
was there for Giovanni; very patient, answering questions, and making sure he was
calm and not in pain.”
Etobicoke General’s new patient tower will provide a much bigger, better equipped
Emergency Department; 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.