The story of Gabriel Lord
Gabriel Lord is a RMC instructor whose life was changed by a car accident. He not only learned to live again from a wheelchair as a tetraplegic, he also discovered how donors make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2006, I was coming back from a visit to my parents when I was involved in a car accident. My car rolled over. I was still conscious, but I realized that I couldn't move. I was eventually transported to Kingston General Hospital by helicopter. The specialist who examined me said that I would never walk again. I remember that I did not react at all. I became tetraplegic (often called "quadriplegic"). I stayed roughly three weeks at KGH and, in early May, I was transferred to Providence Care's St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital site. I stayed at St. Mary's from May 2006 to June 2007. During that time, I had the chance to appreciate the devotion and the unlimited patience of the staff. I discovered that much of the equipment there was acquired with the help of donations to the Foundation. I stayed so long at St. Mary's and I received such high quality treatments that I felt indebted. I decided to support the Foundation with a gift to the Spinal Cord Injuries division at Providence Care.
The Story of Bernadette Cotman
Hotel Dieu Hospital has been an important part of Bernadette's life. Now, she's giving back as both a volunteer and a donor.
"I came to Hotel Dieu Hospital as a student entering the St. Joseph School of Nursing when I was 18 years old. I graduated in 1949 and spent my whole career at the Dieu where I eventually filled the role of Director of Nursing for 17 years followed by a few more years as the Director for Patient Care. All but one of my children was born at Hotel Dieu Hospital and many of them had summer or part-time jobs at the hospital when they were teen-agers. Following my working career at the hospital, and for the last 17 years I have had a busy volunteer life with it &mdash working on the information desk, working on various committees and becoming a member of the Board of Directors. I support Hotel Dieu Hospital with my time and also with donations because I know how important ambulatory care is to our community. Having spent my whole adult life connected with the hospital I know that the compassionate care people receive during their diagnosis and treatment here is second to none. That is important to me and I'm happy to try and help, not only with my volunteer work but also with the contributions I make."
The Story of The Andy Fund of Kingston
The story of one boy's fight against cancer inspired one of the longest, grassroots fundraising efforts in Kingston — the Andy Fund.
In 1981, seven year old Andy George was diagnosed with leukemia. He was treated at Kingston General Hospital in a unit next to the pediatric ward. A year later, when he relapsed, he was seen in the Cancer Centre — the only child in a world of adults. A few years later, with more children being treated for cancer, a small room was set aside at the Cancer Centre as a playroom. This was soon overflowing. In 1986, in memory of Andy, a small group started a branch of the Leukemia Research Fund. After 14 years, having raised over half a million dollars, we decided to change our focus to cancer-related needs in Kingston, and re-named ourselves the Andy Fund of Kingston. Much of the money we have raised has gone to KGH for equipment and ways to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, young and old. In 2005, the Andy Fund pledged $150,000 over five years towards the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the soon-to-be redeveloped Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at KGH. We know this new facility will make a big difference to children and their families. We are grateful for the generosity and help of our volunteers and donors. Andy once said, "I know what it's like to be sick now, Mom." He has proved that "Together We Can" make life a little easier for those who are sick. He would be proud.
The story of Angela Lawson & John MacKinnon
Angela Lawson & John MacKinnon honoured her late father, Harry Lawson, by asking for donations to the Cancer Centre in lieu of wedding gifts. More than a hundred gifts totaling several thousand dollars have been made as a result.
"Eleven years ago my dad, Harry Lawson, was diagnosed with CL Leukemia. After dealing with the shock of the diagnosis, he tackled this, as he did most things in life, with a proactive approach. Through the many ups and down he was always very thankful for the care and support he received during his many visits to both the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario and Kingston General Hospital. When Dad died in January 2008, we wanted to honour his belief in the wonderful care of the Cancer Centre and the Kingston Hospitals and to keep the possibilities of research alive. John and I decided that one way of doing this was to ask for donations to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts. He was an incredibly positive person and we wanted to continue this positive approach in his name."
