The Halifax Thunderbirds are once again stepping up for patients — renewing a powerful partnership with the QEII Foundation by naming it as their charity of choice for the 2025-2026 National Lacrosse League season.
Building on the incredible impact they’ve already made for mental health care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Halifax Thunderbirds are now rallying their fans, players and partners in support of the QEII Patient Essentials Fund — a donor-funded initiative that helps patients facing financial hardship access everyday necessities during treatment.
A PROUD HISTORY OF GIVING BACK AT THE QEII
The Halifax Thunderbirds are no strangers to making a difference off the field. During their 2024-2025 season, the team and its fans helped raise more than $96,000 in support of the QEII Foundation and its Abbie J. Lane gymnasium project — funding that is helping to create a brighter, more welcoming and therapeutic space for patients receiving mental health care at the QEII.
The QEII gym serves patients receiving care through the Abbie J. Lane Building, which is home to a range of mental health and addictions programs supporting both inpatients and outpatients. For individuals requiring inpatient care — who may spend up to 40 days in hospital — access to a dedicated gym and recreation space plays a vital role in their recovery. Exercise and recreational therapy are proven to support mental wellness by improving mood, reducing anxiety and depression, and strengthening daily functioning.
Support from the Halifax Thunderbirds is helping make possible a planned transformation of this space into a modern, recovery-focused environment, with new multi-functional areas, sports and gym equipment, games and enhanced safety features — an investment designed to benefit patients every day.
Now, the Halifax Thunderbirds are expanding that impact even further by rallying behind the QEII Foundation’s QEII Patient Essentials Fund.
“We’re incredibly grateful to once again partner with the Halifax Thunderbirds — a true community partner whose management and leadership team has consistently demonstrated how deeply they care about our community,” says Dianna MacDonald, Director of Events and Partnerships at the QEII Foundation. “Their past support is helping transform a vital mental health space that’s critical to patient wellness and recovery. This season, they’re continuing that impact by helping ensure patients facing financial hardship can access everyday essentials when they need them most.”
EVERY HOME GAME HELPING PATIENTS IN NEED
Throughout the 2025-2026 season, Halifax Thunderbirds fans attending home games will have multiple ways to help support patients at the QEII, including:
- 50/50 draws at every Halifax Thunderbirds home game, with proceeds supporting the QEII Patient Essentials Fund
- With every goal scored during all home games, proud Halifax Thunderbirds partner belairdirect will donate $250, turning every goal into immediate, meaningful support for patients and families
- $5 from every ticket purchased by healthcare providers will be donated by the Halifax Thunderbirds to the Fund
Together, these efforts mean that every Halifax Thunderbirds home game and goal translates into tangible impact for patients in need.
“Giving back is a big part of who we are as an organization,” says John Catalano, President and CEO of the Halifax Thunderbirds.
“We’re proud to support the QEII Foundation once again and to rally our fans around a cause that makes a real difference for patients across our province. Knowing that these efforts can help put groceries on a patient’s table or fuel in their car so they can attend a critical treatment appointment makes this partnership incredibly meaningful for our team,” says John.
WHAT THE QEII PATIENT ESSENTIALS FUND MEANS FOR PATIENTS
Generously supported by QEII Foundation donors, the QEII Patient Essentials Fund provides immediate access to $50 gift cards for patient essentials such as groceries, fuel, and pharmacy and personal care items. Distributed directly by healthcare providers, this support reaches patients and families quickly — often at moments when it is needed most.
Since the fund was established in 2021, more than 7,800 gift cards have been provided to patients across the QEII and province through community-based programs, supporting individuals receiving care in areas ranging from cancer treatment and rehabilitation to heart health and mental health services.
A healthcare journey can bring unexpected challenges — including time away from work, added travel costs and competing financial priorities — all while patients are focused on treatment and recovery. By helping cover even one everyday essential, the QEII Patient Essentials Fund can help ease that pressure, allowing a patient to help concentrate on what matters most: their health.
With the proud support of the Halifax Thunderbirds, belairdirect and thousands of passionate fans, the QEII Foundation is excited to grow this impact and reach even more patients — especially as cost-of-living pressures continue to affect Nova Scotia families navigating life-limiting illnesses and injuries.
