Bluewater Health Foundation welcomes back Colonel Chris Hadfield to 2022 Gala!

SARNIA, February 7^th, 2022 - Bluewater Health Foundation, with the continued support of presenting sponsor NGL Supply Co. Ltd., is excited to announce the return of its annual gala featuring celebrated hometown hero Colonel Chris Hadfield as keynote speaker. The in-person gala is being planned for Thursday, May 19 at the Badger Hangar located behind Sarnia’s Chris Hadfield Airport. The event will require guests to provide proof of vaccination and is being planned in accordance with all public health guidelines. The safety and well-being of our guests is paramount.

“After two years of postponements, we are extremely excited to welcome Colonel Hadfield back as the keynote speaker of our signature gala. It has been 9 years since Chris last inspired our guests and we know this years’ experience will be no different.” says Kathy Alexander, Executive Director, Bluewater Health Foundation. “When the pandemic first hit, Colonel Hadfield sent a message of hope and gratitude to the healthcare heroes at Bluewater Health and we couldn’t be prouder that he is returning to our community to help raise much needed funds in support of our community hospital.”

Referred to as “the most famous astronaut since Neil Armstrong”, Colonel Chris Hadfield is a worldwide sensation whose video of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” — seen by over 75 million people — was called “possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created”, by Bowie himself. Lambton County’s very own Emm Gryner, who toured as a backup singer with Bowie, collaborated with Chris Hadfield on this performance. Emm will be a very special guest at this year’s gala serving as emcee that evening.

Acclaimed for making outer space accessible to millions, and for infusing a sense of wonder into our collective consciousness not felt since humanity first walked on the Moon, Hadfield continues to bring the marvels of science and space travel to everyone he encounters. Colonel Hadfield has flown three space missions, built two space stations, performed two spacewalks, crewed the Shuttle and Soyuz, and in 2013 became the commander of the International Space Station for six months off planet.

Since 2013, the Foundation’s annual gala has successfully raised approximately $470,000 for important initiatives and departments at Bluewater Health. Proceeds from this year’s gala will support the $2.5 million redevelopment of the laboratory at Bluewater Health. The clinical laboratory at Bluewater Health plays a vital role in ensuring every patient gets great care. 70% of healthcare decisions made by physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals are based on diagnostic results from the lab. These results provide important information needed for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of disease for intensive care, cancer, surgical and dialysis patients and new moms and babies.

The lab at Bluewater Health in Sarnia was installed over 10 years ago. As the equipment in the lab ages, necessary repairs have become more frequent, which slows down the delivery of results required for decisions to be made in the development of treatment plans. Several key pieces of equipment need to be upgraded or replaced which involves an overall reorganization of the space to optimize the flow of the lab. Also, considerable advancements in technology have been made over the past 10 years. An investment in this new technology will increase the labs capacity to produce accurate and thorough results in a more timely fashion.

The Foundation is pleased to once again receive the generous support of presenting sponsor NGL Supply Co. Ltd.

“For the past two years, the staff and physicians at Bluewater Health have been relentless in their kind and compassionate care of our community. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of hospitals having access to state of the art equipment and technology.  We are proud of our healthcare heroes and we are proud to sponsor this year’s gala.” says David Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, NGL Supply Co. Ltd. “We are thrilled to be able to once again partner with Bluewater Health Foundation and help welcome Colonel Chris Hadfield and his inspiring message to our community. We have no doubt that this incredible Canadian hero, along with the highly entertaining Emm Gryner and possibly a few other surprises, will make the long awaited 2022 gala a very special experience for all who are in attendance!”

In addition to Colonel Hadfield’s keynote address, the gala will include a four-course meal, live auction, musical entertainment, and a few additional surprises.

Tickets are $250 each and are on sale now by calling Bluewater Health Foundation at 519-464-4439. Each ticket includes a charitable tax receipt for $100. Information regarding sponsorship opportunities is available by contacting Adelle Stewardson, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, at 519-464-4439 or [email protected].

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For media inquiries or more information:    
Kathy Alexander                                                   
Executive Director                                                                        
519-464-4438
[email protected]