Mississauga hosts Canada’s biggest Diwali event in support of new hospital

Canada’s longest-running Diwali fundraising event takes place in Mississauga and it’s happening once again next week in support of hospital care in the city.

Trillium Health Partners Foundation hosts the 21st annual Diwali Gala on Oct. 21.

The sold-out event offers “a dazzling night of exceptional food, fun and dancing while raising funds for Trillium Health Partners (THP) to support the all-new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital,” a THP Foundation spokesperson said in an email to insauga.com.

The event has raised more than $12 million over the past two decades for “priority needs” at THP, which includes Mississauga and Credit Valley hospitals in addition to the Queensway Health Centre in Toronto.

“Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, celebrates the symbolic triumph of truth and light over darkness and is celebrated by many in the community THP serves,” the hospital spokesperson noted.

Diwali celebrations begin this year on Oct. 24.

As one of the largest hospital systems in the country, THP serves some 2.2 million people in Mississauga, west Toronto and other parts of Peel.

Hospital officials have continually noted in recent years that THP faces more demand for care than any other hospital in Ontario and it will face unprecedented growth in demand over the next 20 years.

“To help meet this growing need for care in the community, the 2022 Trillium Diwali Gala will raise funds for the future home of The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, the largest and most advanced hospital in Canada, to replace the current Mississauga Hospital,” THP officials say.  “Almost triple the size of the existing structure, the new hospital will offer the increased capacity, modern technology and latest standards needed to meet the healthcare needs of the community in the decades ahead.”

THP Foundation president and CEO Caroline Riseboro said hosting a festival celebrated by so many members of the community is a privilege.

“I am so excited that we are able to gather back in person this year and I’m incredibly proud that the Trillium Health Partners Foundation has hosted the longest-standing Diwali fundraising event,” she said. “It’s an amazing event for an inspiring cause, and I can’t wait to see how much we raise from sold-out event tickets and our incredible silent auction.”