Javaid Ali Khan

I know what it feels like to climb.

In 2017, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s more than 19,000 feet above sea level, and the last few thousand feet were some of the hardest steps I’ve ever taken. The air was thin, my hands were frozen, and every step forward felt like I was sliding back two. But I kept going. One step at a time. I told myself I was doing it not just for me, but for my community in Scarborough.

That climb started with an idea during an SHN Foundation board meeting. I said, “If I can raise funds for the hospital, I’ll climb Kilimanjaro.” I was born in Kenya, so I knew the mountain, but I wanted the climb to mean something more. With just two months of training, I reached the top and raised $35,000 for the hospital’s maternal and newborn program. That experience taught me a lot about endurance, purpose, and giving back.

My connection to SHN runs deep. My youngest daughter was born at Birchmount Hospital. Over the years, many of my family members have received care here. Some of those moments were joyful—like when my daughter was born—and some were painful, when we said goodbye to loved ones. But in every experience, I saw compassion, respect, and kindness from the doctors, nurses, and staff. They treated us like family, and that stayed with me.

That’s why I joined the Foundation board thirteen years ago. I wanted to help ensure that everyone in Scarborough, no matter where they come from, has access to the same level of care my family received. Scarborough is home to so many newcomers and hardworking families. It’s a community that reminds me of where I came from—people who don’t give up, who look out for each other, and who find ways to make things better, even when the odds are steep.

Over the years, I’ve helped raise funds through various events, including the Scarborough World Cup of Cricket, BraveTO 5 km run, the SHN Golf Classic, SHN ZOO DAY, and the Festival of Lights. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Through the Love, Scarborough campaign, we’ve raised more than $200 million. But I know we still have more work to do. Scarborough deserves hospitals and healthcare that match the strength and heart of its people.

I came to Canada from Kenya in 1974. I was young, full of hope, and grateful for every opportunity this country gave me. I believe that when you are accepted somewhere, you have a responsibility to give back. That’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me climbing.

For me, this isn’t just about raising money—it’s about building a future for Scarborough. It’s about the next generation taking the lead, giving their time, their energy, their ideas. My climb might have started on a mountain in Africa, but it continues here, every day, in Scarborough. And I’ll keep going, step by step, until we reach the top together.