‘True champions’ Charles and Margaret Juravinski come through again with $3-million health-care gift for Hamilton
Hamilton philanthropist Charles Juravinski just celebrated his 91st birthday, but chose the occasion to give, not receive - and in a large way.
Charles and Margaret Juravinski announced they are donating $3 million to health-care research in the city.
This, in addition to the $3.3 million they donated last spring at the height of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help fight the virus and fund brain health research.
Among the projects that will benefit from their latest gift is one that will assess saliva-based COVID-19 testing for large asymptomatic populations, such as seniors in retirement homes.
Charles and Margaret are true champions," said Paul O'Byrne, vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, in a news release. They inspire us to be bold, collaborative and single-minded in the pursuit of finding answers to some of our most pressing health questions."
The new money comes on the heels of the couple announcing last year what appeared to be their final donation: a $100-million legacy estate gift, to be activated upon their deaths, that created the Juravinski Research Institute, a collaborative incubator for research between Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), McMaster University, and St. Joseph's Healthcare.
But Juravinski, who is known for his colourful and blunt speaking style, said he has no plans to die any time soon. Moreover, he said dividends continue to pay well from his past investments that he wants to share.
I hope I live long enough to see Hamilton become one of the greatest medical research centres anywhere, and I believe that will happen," he told The Spectator on the phone from his home near Dundas.
One of the other projects funded by the latest gift will explore how to assess the risk of virus outbreaks in retirement homes, and offer staffers ways to take preventive measures; another will examine virtual health-care techniques to help vulnerable seniors during the pandemic.
Past contributions from the couple - more than $60 million in the 2000s - have helped renovate and build hospitals in Hamilton, fund scholarships, and support care ranging from cancer to geriatrics, respirology and mental health and addictions.
Thomas Stewart, the president and CEO of St. Joseph's Health System, singled out the role the Juravinskis have played in bringing HHS, McMaster, and St. Joe's together to work for the greater good ... They have bestowed on us the funds to change lives."
As a way to express gratitude to the Juravinskis and mark Charles' birthday, a #91Reasons Twitter campaign was started Monday, so residents can post reasons why they are thankful for their contributions.
Juravinski, who grew up during the Great Depression in Saskatchewan, where his father drove a horse and wagon door-to-door cleaning outhouse pits, has been thinking a lot lately about that 91 number.
He said his health for the most part is excellent.
I haven't told many people this, but my resolve is to live until I'm at least 100. And in my mind, and heart of hearts, I feel I can achieve that. And by that time, the investment account will be in excellent shape."
When he hits those triple digits, he is going to throw a big birthday party at LIUNA Station.
For his 91st birthday that fell on Sunday, his plans included indulging in a prime cut of steak, and washing it down with red wine, although nothing too exotic.
I like to say I'm cheap, and I don't believe in spending $40 to $50 on a bottle of wine."
Jon Wells is a Hamilton-based reporter and feature writer for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jwells@thespec.com