I learned the importance of giving back from my parents at a very early age. My mom and dad always made it a point to contribute to the community by volunteering their time to a variety of causes. That made such an impression on me growing up. I saw the impact it made on others, and I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Those childhood lessons led to me to choose nursing as a career. I knew I wanted to help people and caring for them in the hospital would be a wonderful way to fulfill that goal. I studied at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s School of Nursing. My career then took me all over the Island and the mainland.
After fifteen years of nursing, I was ready to help people in a new way. I returned to school to study social work; this was my true calling. In December, I’ll retire after 25 years, including 15 years with Island Health where I worked in our two local hospitals, Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals.
I’ve met so many interesting people along the way and so many of them have left a lasting impression on me. I’ve also seen the impact the community has had on our local hospitals, thanks in no small part to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Supporting healthcare workers with recognition awards and funding important pieces of equipment, big and small, make a such a difference.
In 2021, my husband Dennis and I decided to become donors to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
After years of working in our local hospitals, I saw the needs firsthand and the impact donors were making. For me, it began with the Foundation’s Miracle on the Mountain Gala. One of my favourite things to do is donate a ticket to a nurse working in the hospital. I saw someone do the same thing years ago with the Visions gala, and I wanted to continue the tradition.
As a social worker, I saw countless instances where people were thrown into situations beyond their control. Social workers are intuitive listeners. It’s important to know, and be present, when someone is upset or in an emergency. I’m there to help—sometimes it’s something as simple as buying them a coffee while they wait to see a doctor and spending time talking with them. Often, I’m helping families navigate tough stuff including difficult decisions about a loved one’s next steps or perhaps their own. I can help with government supports or contacting a funeral home. I’ve often described it as the emotional side of medicine. I’m there to help patients and their families no matter what they are going through.
It can be a huge shock to find out you or a loved one may have an illness, but at the same time, it’s also such a relief to be able to arrive RJH or VGH and know the staff there have the tools they need to provide the best possible care. That’s why I support the Victoria Hospitals Foundation—they provide the medium for innovation and advancement, and therefore ultimately a sense comfort for patients, too. That’s what I share with the people I meet.
This past January, after 49 years of marriage, I lost Dennis. We would have celebrated our 50th anniversary in October. He was ill for about six months before he died. He spent his final days at RJH, where he received excellent care. The nurses on the unit were very calm and caring—I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to know he was receiving the very best care at the end of his life.
Dennis and I had often discussed the legacy we would like to leave. He was equally generous and compassionate with several causes, but supporting our local hospitals has always been paramount.
I have always loved the work the Foundation does helping people right across the Island. There are glimmers of hope and positivity in our hospitals that come along when we hear of an impact story made possible by donors.
Recently, I decided to include the Foundation in my estate. I want to ensure a legacy of giving continues. I greatly appreciate the work the Foundation is doing. As someone who is working in the hospitals, I know it’s making an impact.
Dennis was proud of the legacy of giving back we started together, supporting our local hospitals, VGH and RJH. He would be proud to know that it will continue—that we are leaving behind glimmers of hope and positivity.
