For the 557,000 people who rely on Health Sciences North for specialized care, community support can help determine whether equipment, technology and treatment are available close to home.
Health Sciences North Foundation inspires donors and raises funds for equipment, capital projects, research, education and patient care at Health Sciences North. Based in Greater Sudbury, the Foundation supports a hospital that receives patients from 23 health centres throughout Northeastern Ontario.
“We connect the generosity of our community with the healthcare needs of Northeastern Ontario,” said Giulia Carpenter, Manager of Community Engagement and Event Fundraising. “Through philanthropy, we help patients and families access exceptional care closer to home.”
Health Sciences North
Building on decades of community support
The Foundation’s history reflects the evolution of healthcare fundraising in the region.
In 1998, the Laurentian Hospital Foundation and Sudbury Memorial Hospital Foundation merged to form the Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation. When Sudbury Regional Hospital became Health Sciences North in 2011, its fundraising partner became Health Sciences North Foundation.
The Northern Cancer Foundation, founded in 1992, and NEO Kids Foundation, established in 2016, also raised funds for care at HSN. In October 2024, the three foundations united as one HSN Foundation. The organization now supports patient care, research, equipment and hospital spaces across HSN, including pediatric and cancer care.
Cancer care at HSN
The Foundation’s work is guided by the needs identified by HSN healthcare teams and supported by individuals, businesses and community organizations. In 2025 to 2026, it raised $16.7 million for healthcare at HSN. These funds are supporting medical equipment, hospital projects, research, education and patient care.
“Each investment represents a partnership between our healthcare teams and a community that believes patients and families across the North deserve access to exceptional care close to home,” Carpenter said.
The Foundation also received Imagine Canada Standards Program accreditation in January 2026. The accreditation independently assesses charities in areas including governance, financial accountability, fundraising practices, staff management and volunteer involvement.
“This recognition reflects the confidence our community places in us,” said Anthony Keating, President and CEO of HSN Foundation.
A shared interest with the mining community
The connection between healthcare and mining is already visible in Greater Sudbury.
In August 2026, United Steelworkers Local 6500 donated $65,000 to help advance surgical care at HSN. The union has contributed more than $1 million to the Foundation during a relationship spanning more than 37 years.
In August 2026, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500 donated $65,000 to Health Sciences North (HSN) to advance surgical care in Northeastern Ontario.
The latest donation is supporting plans for robotic assisted surgery and a hybrid operating room. These technologies would allow more complex procedures to be performed in Sudbury, reducing the need for some patients to travel to Southern Ontario.
“This is about making sure people here have the same access to care as anywhere else in the province,” Keating said when the donation was announced.
Mining companies and suppliers have also supported Foundation events and campaigns through sponsorships, donations and employee participation. This support reflects the close relationship between the sector and the communities where its employees and their families live.
“There is a strong connection between thriving industries, strong healthcare and healthy Northern communities,” Carpenter said. “Access to healthcare is essential to attracting and retaining workers, supporting families and building communities where people want to live.”
As Ontario’s mining and critical minerals sectors grow, companies will need to recruit skilled workers from within and outside the region. Access to quality healthcare can influence whether workers and their families are willing to relocate to Northern Ontario and make a long term commitment to its communities. A strong regional healthcare system therefore supports both quality of life and the mining industry’s ability to build and retain its workforce.
Investments in hospital equipment, research and facilities serve employees, contractors, families and communities throughout the mining supply chain.
Physicians at HSN
Creating new partnerships through MineConnect
HSN Foundation joined MineConnect to strengthen its relationships with mining and mining supply and service companies across Ontario.
“We want to build meaningful relationships with organizations that share a commitment to our region,” Carpenter said. “MineConnect gives us an opportunity to increase awareness of the work happening at HSN and explore collaboration, sponsorship and philanthropic support.” One opportunity to connect is Toronto Celebrates Sudbury, which marks its tenth anniversary on October 15, 2026, at Oretta Downtown in Toronto. The event brings together business leaders, professionals, alumni and friends of Northern Ontario to reconnect while supporting priority healthcare needs at HSN. MineConnect members and partners who will be in the Toronto area are invited to learn more or purchase tickets.
For businesses, supporting HSN Foundation provides a way to invest in services that may be needed by their own employees and families. It also contributes to the community infrastructure that helps Northern employers compete for skilled people. Contributions can be directed to specific programs or to the hospital’s priority needs.
The Foundation also works with community partners to develop fundraising initiatives and direct contributions where they can make a measurable difference in care.
“We see MineConnect membership as an opportunity to expand our network beyond our traditional healthcare partners,” Carpenter said. “Together, we can support a stronger healthcare system and a stronger future for Northeastern Ontario.”
