Share Your Peel Memorial Story: Be Part of the Legacy
We know the walls of Peel Memorial hold countless stories of compassion, resilience, and connection. Now, we want to hear yours.
Deb and Bob Peacock’s dedication to their community shines through their tireless efforts to support Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness, a vital resource for Brampton that continues to grow. Bob, who was on Osler Foundation's Board of Directors at the time, led the charge for the $30-million fundraising campaign that brought Peel Memorial to life, rallying the community around this shared vision.
“I’m proud that we got it done, that we raised the funds we needed within the community in order to move forward,” says Bob Peacock, who chaired the campaign cabinet. “There was genuine enthusiasm for what Peel was going to do and its focus on wellness and prevention.”
Bob and his wife, Deb, were not only strong advocates for the project but also personal donors to Osler Foundation. Deb, an active volunteer, has played a key role on Osler Foundation’s Gala Concert committee, raising additional funds for the hospital system.
Reflecting on the opening of Peel Memorial in 2017, Deb recalls being struck by the bright, welcoming atmosphere of the new facility. “It was a really nice place to come into,” she says.
If you're feeling unwell, you're going to walk in here and already start to feel better because it's so bright and cheery.
Among the notable moments of the campaign, Bob fondly remembers the demolition of the old Peel Memorial building. “We had sledgehammers and hard hats, swinging at the wall to knock a few bricks out,” he says. “I remember (former Ontario premier) Bill Davis jokingly saying, ‘Mr. Peacock is going to stand at the exit, and you don’t get out if you don’t give them some money.’”
With the opening of Peel Memorial, Brampton gained a crucial health care resource, but the work to support the city’s growing population continues. “There’s no question that we’ve come a very long way in the past 10 or 15 years in terms of building Brampton Civic and then Peel,” Bob says. “But we need more. An expanded Peel Memorial will provide some much-needed relief for Brampton Civic.”
Bob and Deb have deep admiration for the Health Care Heroes who make Osler hospitals great. “I’m incredibly thankful for their dedication and everything they’ve done, especially during the challenges of the past few years,” Deb says.
“They’re going above and beyond every day,” adds Bob. “We’re blessed as a community to have not just the facilities we have, but the incredible staff, doctors, and nurses who genuinely want to do what’s best for their patients and find new ways to address health care challenges.”
As Brampton continues to grow, so does the need for accessible and innovative health care. Bob underscores the importance of ongoing community support. “We’ve been fortunate to have Peel Memorial for the past several years, but an expanding community needs more health care,” he says. “We can’t rely on government funding alone. It’s our responsibility as a community to step up and help ensure the best possible care for everyone.”