Collavino Family's $1 Million Gift Boosts New Windsor-Essex Hospital
In a significant philanthropic gesture, members of the Collavino family from the Windsor area have donated $1 million to the new Fancsy Family Hospital. This contribution marks the latest in a series of seven-figure donations aimed at enhancing the regional acute care facility, which is poised to become a cornerstone of healthcare in the community.
Personal Experiences Drive Generosity
The joint donation stems from two branches of the Collavino family, including cousins Loris, Paolo, and Renzo. Their motivation is deeply rooted in personal encounters with heart and lung health issues, highlighting the critical need for advanced medical resources in the region.
Loris Collavino emphasized this connection, stating, "Like many families in the region, we have first-hand experience with the cardiac and cardiopulmonary care at Windsor Regional Hospital, and we understand how critical it is for our medical teams to have access to state-of-the-art equipment to help save lives." He added, "We feel privileged to play a part in the lifesaving care that will take place at the Fancsy Family Hospital."
Announcement During Heart Month
Windsor Regional Hospital unveiled this generous gift on Friday, February 20, 2026, coinciding with Heart Month. The announcement was made at the hospital's Ouellette campus, which currently houses the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Coronary Care Unit. This timing underscores the donation's focus on cardiovascular health, an area of pressing need in Windsor-Essex.
Cristina Naccarato, executive director of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation, praised the family's impact, saying, "The Collavino families transformed a personal experience into an incredible gift that will benefit the lives of many other Windsor-Essex residents for generations to come. We are very grateful for and inspired by their generosity toward our community."
Legacy of Philanthropy and Future Impact
The Collavino family has a longstanding history of supporting various causes, including health care, conservation, the arts, and education. However, this $1-million donation represents their largest contribution to date, signaling a profound commitment to local healthcare advancement.
To commemorate this gift, the future hospital will feature the Collavino Family Cardio-Pulmonary Diagnostic Lab. This facility will play a vital role in addressing the region's high rates of heart and lung disease, as noted by Karen Riddell, WRH President and CEO. She explained, "Windsor-Essex has one of the higher rates of heart and lung disease, and many of us have a loved one who has been cared for by the dedicated health care teams at Windsor Regional Hospital. We cannot overstate the importance of donor support in those critical situations. The Collavinos’ gift will help bring the advanced equipment and technology we need at the Fancsy Family Hospital to continue providing outstanding care to our patients."
Hospital Construction and Regional Role
Windsor Regional Hospital serves as a hub for cardiac care, extending its services to patients across Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia-Lambton. The new Fancsy Family Hospital is expected to ensure timely access to leading cardiac and cardio-pulmonary services, bolstering the region's healthcare infrastructure.
The construction of the new hospital is progressing in phases, with the first phase—including a parking garage, administrative centre, and other essential infrastructure—scheduled to commence within months. This development aligns with broader efforts to enhance medical facilities and meet the growing healthcare demands of the community.
In summary, the Collavino family's $1 million donation not only reflects their personal dedication to health causes but also sets a powerful example of community support, promising to improve cardiac and pulmonary care for residents in Windsor-Essex and beyond.
