As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we’re proud to share the story of Grace and James Chen: long-time Cambridge residents and proud members of the Taiwanese community, whose journey is one of resilience, community connection, and heartfelt support for their local Hospital.
The Chens arrived in Canada in 1987 and settled in Cambridge a year later. With limited English and no nearby family, navigating life in a new country, especially the healthcare system, was a daunting experience initially.
They found comfort and support at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, where their youngest two children were born, following an earlier pregnancy in Hamilton.
“The Hospital plays such an important role in all our lives,” Grace reflects. She remembers that during her pregnancy here in Cambridge, James would work hard to navigate the system and support her during her pregnancy. “Thankfully, our pediatrician was also part of the Taiwanese community. That helped us tremendously with the language barrier,” she recalls.
“The staff was also very kind and compassionate, especially all the nurses,” Grace added.
“A strong community hospital is important for all of us.”
– James and Grace Chen
Though the Taiwanese community in Cambridge is small, this small Community has a strong voice, with efforts to stay involved in local initiatives. James even shared that he would “love to connect with more physicians and healthcare staff from the Taiwanese and broader Asian community.”
Grace recently returned to CMH for a breast screening (CMH is designated as an OBSP Breast Assessment Site) and was impressed by the Hospital’s transformation and new look. “The new look and modern equipment definitely build more trust in patients,” she says.
James, meanwhile, is also excited about the potential for AI in healthcare—something he has seen widely used in Taiwan. “I’m hopeful and looking forward to seeing CMH take that next leap.”
In frame (from the far right): James, Grace, Frank, Avon, Michael, Pei, Jennifer, Yan , Kevin
Their connection to the CMH Foundation came through Sue Lee, and it opened a door for the Chens to contribute in their own meaningful way.
They used the Chinese-language radio as a platform to talk about CMH back in the day when they used to host radio shows. “We would shed light on various Hospital initiatives, talk about upcoming events and help raise awareness of local support to CMH,” says Grace.
Talking about why they support CMH, James shares, “A strong community hospital is important for all of us. It means we find services close to home and fewer long trips to Hamilton or Kitchener.”
“We need to come together to support it,” he added. For the Chens, donations and volunteering are some of the ways to do that.
“You don’t have to donate big amounts to contribute,” Grace suggests. “Even a small monthly donation; what you’d spend on a cup of coffee, can make a big difference in the longer run.”
Though Grace is now retired and exploring ways to stay involved with CMH and James continues his work, their message is clear: local healthcare relies on local support.
James and Grace Chen remind us that meaningful contributions can come in many forms, and every act of giving helps build a healthier, stronger Community.