Gateway CERH Attends MacKay Centre Active Living & Wellness Fair
- Sage Milne
- Sep 26
- 2 min read
On September 12, 2025, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) had the opportunity to join the community at the MacKay Centre Active Living & Wellness Fair in Goderich. The fair was held at both the Lakeshore United Church and the MacKay Centre for Seniors, and it marked an exciting milestone: 45 years of MacKay Centre programming! The day brought together dozens of organizations, exhibitors, and community members, all with a shared goal of supporting healthy and active living for older adults.
The fair featured both a presentation series and an exhibitor expo, giving visitors the chance to learn about local supports while connecting directly with service providers. Guests also enjoyed a barbecue lunch at 55 North Street, with remarks from MPP of Huron-Bruce, Lisa Thompson, MP of Huron-Bruce Ben Lobb, and Goderich Town Councillor, Liz Petrie. Presentations throughout the day touched on important topics such as aging safely at home, driving safety, fraud prevention, and brain health.
The exhibitor hall was full of activity, with partners such as Crime Stoppers, the Butterfly Rangers, the Alzheimer and Parkinsons' Societies, Harbour Hill Suites, Lifeline, the Ministry of Transportation, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital’s diabetes educator, and many others. Each booth offered valuable resources and friendly conversations, making the event both informative and welcoming.
Gateway CERH was proud to participate by sharing information on our senior-focused projects, including our technology help sessions offered through Café 109 at the Goderich Legion. We also highlighted the importance of Ontario’s four free cancer screening programs. At our booth, visitors could browse posters and take-home sheets outlining screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. An iPad station was also available for participants who wanted to try online cancer screening tools and learn how to check their eligibility.
Cancer screening remains a cornerstone of our work through our partnership with MaRS and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Together, we are working to increase participation in screening across rural and remote communities. By starting conversations and providing clear, accessible resources, our goal is to empower local Huron County and rural residents to take proactive steps for their health.
At Gateway CERH, we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many individuals and organizations who share our commitment to wellness in Huron County. We look forward to many more years of collaboration and community building that supports a healthier, more connected future.
About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
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