Olympic icons Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir to headline Bluewater Health Foundation gala

Canadian figure skating legends Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are coming to Sarnia this May to share their journey of resilience and high performance in support of local diagnostic imaging.

Canadian Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will serve as the keynote speakers for the 2026 Bluewater Health Foundation Gala.

The event is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at the Badger Hangar located at the Chris Hadfield Airport. This year’s gala, supported by NGL Supply Co. Ltd., aims to raise funds for the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging department.

Virtue and Moir are the most decorated ice dance team in Olympic history, hailing from nearby London, Ontario. They earned five Olympic medals and three World Championships during their competitive careers.

Since retiring, the duo has focused on leadership and mentorship. They plan to share insights on resilience and achieving goals both on and off the ice during their appearance in Sarnia.

"Like many Canadians, we fell in love with the talent and chemistry of Tessa and Scott when they first skated into our hearts over 20 years ago," says Kathy Alexander, Executive Director of the Bluewater Health Foundation.

Alexander noted that the community recently caught "Olympic fever" again, making it an ideal time to welcome the pair.

Proceeds from the gala will go toward modernizing state-of-the-art technology for local patients. Diagnostic imaging includes essential services such as mammography, CT scans, MRI, X-rays, and ultrasound.

Dr. Youssef Almalki, Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Bluewater Health, says these services are vital for accurate and timely diagnoses.

"From pregnancy and childhood to adulthood and end-of-life care, nearly everyone relies on diagnostic imaging at some point in their life," says Almalki.

The annual gala relies heavily on community contributions and long-term corporate partnerships. NGL Supply Co. Ltd. has served as the presenting sponsor for over a decade.

"Supporting local healthcare is a cause close to our hearts," says David Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer at NGL Supply Co. Ltd.

Tickets for the gala are $250 each. Residents interested in attending can contact Adelle Stewardson at 519-464-4439 or via email at [email protected] to secure a seat.