The Juravinski legacy continues to leave its mark on Hamilton, this time in the form of a massive donation that will stimulate healthcare research throughout the region.
On Tuesday, the Juravinski Foundation gifted $5.1 million to the Juravinski Research Institution to directly support health research at Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Charles and Margaret Juravinski were some of the most generous people to ever live in Hamilton.
While alive, the couple donated more than $60 million to local healthcare initiatives and hospitals, and after their death, they bequeathed another $100 million to an endowment fund to carry on their philanthropic initiatives for years to come.
Tuesday’s donation comes just two years after Margaret’s death, who passed just one year after her husband.
Charles first moved to Hamilton in August of 1941.
With barely a penny to his name, he worked various jobs until he eventually founded Flamboro Downs and made his fortune.
Both he and his wife began making hefty charitable donations shortly into his retirement after selling the track.
Because of the financial contributions the Juravinski’s made, Hamilton is now known as a regional healthcare, training and research leader.
“Charles and Margaret were visionary philanthropists, whose generosity has transformed how health research is conducted, as well as how health care is delivered in Hamilton,” said Juravinski Foundation Chair, Dr. Julian Dobranowski. “It’s only fitting that we carry on their tremendous legacy by making this new gift on the fifth anniversary of the institute they founded.
The money made in this donation will go directly towards helping push ahead research aimed at cancer and brain health.
In recognition of the donation, three trees were planted in their recognition. One by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, one by McMaster University and a third by Hamilton Health Sciences.
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