About
Strides For The General is celebrating 11 years of making a vital difference. As 2021 is a year like no other, we’re shaking things up and temporarily rebranding the virtual event as Strides for Health Care Heroes. This temporary new name captures the Strides our community will be taking to show their immense appreciation and support for the amazing health care heroes who are working tirelessly at Hamilton General Hospital, the Regional Rehabilitation Centre and St. Peter’s Hospital in the effort to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic while also providing other vital care.
We are also excited to share that every $1 donated will be matched with $3 from a group of generous donors supporting our COVID response. This match will help us achieve our goal of raising funds for an ECMO to support patient care at Hamilton General Hospital. This piece of equipment has been vital for COVID-19 patient care.
From September 17 to 26, celebrate and support our Health Care Heroes by running (5 or 10 km) or walking (5 km) in your community while fundraising for priority equipment needs at Hamilton General Hospital, the Regional Rehabilitation Centre and St. Peter’s Hospital.
Quick Facts
Where: Your community
When: Ten days to participate! Walk or run once, or multiple times from September 17 – 26.
What: Your choice to participate in a 5 km walk, 5 km run or 10 km run
What else: Online race for runners and prizes for fundraisers
Why: To raise funds for vital equipment for Hamilton General Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital.
- Proceeds designated for Hamilton General Hospital, including the Regional Rehabilitation Centre, will fund the purchase of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life-support machine.
- Proceeds designated for St. Peter’s Hospital will fund a “Spirit” bed designed around fall prevention.
Registration
You can register online as an individual or a group. When you register you create a personal fundraising page (your participant centre) where you can share why you are fundraising and direct supporters to donate to you (and your team).
Registration is free!
Race Times
Registered participants competing in the virtual 10 km or 5 km run will be asked to submit their times to qualify for prizes. Closer to the event start date, we will be sharing ways on how you can submit your times for Strides - Stay tuned! We appreciate the honesty of all participants in this fun race. Participants are encouraged to share a photo of their time (captured by phone/fitness tracker/watch) on social media, including the Strides Facebook event page to showcase their support.
Fundraising
All participants are encouraged to fundraise and support our health care heroes and patients in our region. When you register, you’ll be able to select whether the funds you are raising are designated to Hamilton General Hospital, including the Regional Rehabilitation Centre, or to St. Peter’s Hospital.
This year, every $1 donated will be matched with $3 from a group of generous donors supporting our COVID response. This match will help us achieve our goal of raising funds for an ECMO to support patient care at Hamilton General Hospital. This piece of equipment has been vital for COVID-19 patient care.
Once registered, you’ll have access to a personalized participant centre where you can send emails to request support, view your progress and send thank-you emails. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
Collecting offline donations? Cheques can be made out to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
Your Dollars At Work
Since 2011, Strides For The General has raised more than $1.3 million! Funds raised through Strides For The General enable the clinical teams at Hamilton General Hospital, the Regional Rehabilitation Centre and St. Peter's Hospital to purchase critical equipment and patient amenities that will have a significant impact on the quality of care provided to patients. Visit our website for more information on how The Foundation is focused on enabling outstanding patient care.
Click here to view a partial list of equipment purchased with Strides funds.
For 2021, Proceeds designated for Hamilton General Hospital, including the Regional Rehabilitation Centre, will fund the purchase of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life-support machine.
Patients who need ECMO have a severe and life-threatening illness that stops their heart or lungs from working properly. For example, ECMO is used during life-threatening conditions such as severe lung damage from infection, or shock after a massive heart attack. As an alternative to a ventilator, ECMO is also being used to treat patients with COVID-19.
Proceeds designated for St. Peter’s Hospital will fund a “Spirit” bed designed around fall prevention. In addition to being “super-low,” the bed incorporates innovative technology to help staff support their high fall-risk patients. The bed includes a special mattress designed to prevent pressure ulcers..
Prizes
Prizes are awarded to the top three fundraisers, plus more prizes for race winners. Click here for more prize details and regulations.
FAQ
Click here for answers to our FAQ.
Event Waiver
All participants of Strides For The General agree to follow all public health safety measures, health advisories and regulations as imposed in their jurisdictions. Furthermore, participation is voluntary. As such, participants RELEASE, WAIVE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation OF AND FROM ALL claims and liabilities.