Who is Michael Garron?

Michael's story

Before Michael Garron died at the age of 13 in 1975 of a rare form of cancer, he told his mother that he was afraid he would be forgotten.

“As long as I’m alive, no way will you ever be forgotten,” she replied.

And so, many years later in 2015, Berna Garron and her husband, Myron, made good on her promise to their son by making a commitment of $50 million to the hospital where Michael was born. In Michael’s honour, the hospital was renamed from Toronto East General Hospital to Michael Garron Hospital.

Michael, the oldest of three brothers, had always dreamed of being a marine biologist. He loved science and drawing. During his childhood, he touched many lives. He is remembered by his family and others for his courage, positivity, and determination.

The Garrons’ generous gift is a mother’s promise kept. Not only will Michael never be forgotten—his name will forever be associated with extraordinary healthcare delivered with compassion and a stronger East Toronto community.

impact of the Garron family's gift 

The Garrons’ $50-million commitment is enabling the hospital to purchase cutting-edge technology related to patient care, create an innovation fund to inspire community-based research, and establish the hospital’s first chairs in healthcare research and education.

At the time, this remarkable gift was the largest donation ever made to a Canadian community hospital and has enabled our hospital to radically transform our vision of care for the diverse East Toronto community.

To date, thanks to the Garrons’ generosity, the hospital has refreshed critical technology throughout the hospital that has a direct impact on patients. Some of the purchases include:

• A new MRI machine for our diagnostic imaging department and a CT scanner for our emergency department, enabling faster, more precise diagnosis for a range of health conditions and a better patient experience during these often stressful procedures
• A gynecological laser to perform life-changing, minimally invasive procedures for conditions like endometriosis, a common and extremely painful condition affecting one in 10 women
• A portable ultrasound unit used to diagnose and monitor conditions in patients from the tiniest infants in the special care nursery to the most critical patients in the intensive care unit (ICU)
• 11 new state-of-the-art ICU ventilators that provide better outcomes for patients
• Three 3-D echocardiography machines to expand our ability to diagnose heart conditions and reduce the need for cardiac patients to undergo invasive procedures

This landmark donation will continue to have a significant impact on our hospital as our campus transformation unfolds.