Local Philanthropists Pledge $100,000 to Bluewater Health’s Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre

SARNIA & PETROLIA – May 13, 2024 – Bluewater Health Foundation is thrilled to share that local philanthropists Anne West and Jeff Burchill have pledged $100,000 to Bluewater Health’s Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre (SADVTC), which is currently undergoing a relocation and redevelopment.

This good news comes during Sexual Violence Prevention Month, which is observed annually in May. After intimate partner violence was declared an epidemic in Sarnia-Lambton just last year, spaces like Bluewater Health’s SADVTC are proving to be more vital than ever in providing care and support to survivors. The revitalization of the treatment centre will allow for a more spacious design and provide a warm and comforting atmosphere for those accessing services.

From now until the end of August, Anne West and Jeff Burchill will generously match new contributions made to Bluewater Health’s SADVTC, up to $100,000.

 “Investing in our community is of the utmost importance to Jeff and I, and when we learned that one in three women and one in eight men in Canada will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, we decided this should absolutely be a priority in our charitable giving,” says Anne West. “We are so fortunate to have a treatment centre in Sarnia-Lambton that provides safe and timely care during a highly traumatic period in a survivor’s journey. We hope that we can inspire and encourage others to donate to this essential space, too.”

Bluewater Health Foundation is currently working towards a fundraising goal of $600,000 for the SADVTC redevelopment. While government funding supports the operation and administration of hospitals, donations and community support fund important upgrades throughout your local hospital.

“Jeff and Anne’s substantial pledge will have a huge impact on survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking in the Sarnia-Lambton community, and we are so grateful for their advocacy and generosity,” says Kathy Alexander, Executive Director, Bluewater Health Foundation. “Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by sexual violence; when you make a gift to the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre, you are giving hope to those patients during their time of crisis, when it’s truly needed most.”

Please consider joining Jeff and Anne in their commitment to fundraising in support of survivors in your community. Donate today and double your impact – you can get involved by clicking here or calling the Foundation office at (519) 464-4438.

To learn more about the treatment centre’s redevelopment and the impact it has in our community, click here.