FALL 2017 NEWSLETTER |
ISSUE 10
MSHF.
MARKHAM.STOUFFVILLE. TM
Breast Health Centre celebrates 10 years “With every ounce of my being I want to thank supporters for helping make my journey through breast cancer a positive experience.” — Sue Kempton get my care close to home at my community hospital. I wanted to be treated like a person.” From the moment she walked into the Breast Health Centre at MSH, Sue knew she’d made the right decision. She was greeted with a warm smile and our caring staff gently and efficiently guided her through more tests, including a biopsy. Within two weeks, Sue received her diagnosis. She had invasive breast cancer.
Sue, first day of chemo When a routine mammography found something suspicious in her breast six years ago, 46-year-old Sue Kempton had a decision to make. She could go to a cancer hospital in downtown Toronto for further testing and
treatment or she could go to the Breast Health Centre at Markham Stouffville Hospital. “I chose personal and intimate over big and scary,” says Sue. “For me, it was important to
“Hearing the word cancer was the scariest moment in my life,” Sue recalls. “I cried for 10 minutes with my oncologist and then we discussed my treatment plan. I wanted to fight this disease head-on so I could be there to see my son grow up.”
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Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Canadian women. Last year alone, there were 3,261 visits to the Breast Health Centre and over 900 oncology visits for breast cancer treatments.
Breast Health Centre continued... Sue quickly discovered she wouldn’t be fighting alone. Her amazing team at MSH was by her side every step of her journey. “I had high expectations and the care I received went above and beyond. Everything I said and felt mattered to my caregivers. They were there to hold my hand as well as provide me with the top-notch care and treatment I needed to beat cancer.” Putting the patient at the centre of care has been the primary focus for the Breast Health Centre since it first Sue and family, 2017 opened its doors in June 2007. Our Centre was the first clinic of its kind in the region and our patient-focused model of care continues to make a difference in people’s lives today, 10 years later.
straight-forward yet compassionate. She even gave me a hug when I needed it,” says Sue. And Sue is grateful to supporters like you who helped ensure she received the high quality care she needed. “To this day, I wouldn’t go anywhere but MSH for care if I had a choice,” she says. “This is my hospital and I’m thankful there are people in my community who support it.” Over the 10 years since the opening of our Breast Health Centre, cancer care at MSH has continued to expand and transform. The wait time between finding a lump and a surgery date has been reduced to just three weeks – well ahead of the provincial average. That’s great news! And it’s donors like you who help make it possible. You ensure we can invest in the latest technology and give patients like Sue absolute confidence in their choice to seek care close to home.
“Breast cancer plays for keeps,” says Dr. Patrick Whelan, a general surgeon at MSH. With that in mind, we need to remain vigilant. And with so many people, like Sue, turning to us for a quick diagnosis, treatment and hope, we are fortunate to have such generous supporters that we can count on. Your support enables us to keep pace with the latest technology. Your support is absolutely essential to meet the ever growing need for cancer care in our community. Sue has the utmost gratitude for surgeon Dr. Angelo Vivona. Sue’s son, Parker, who was six at the time, even wrote Dr. Vivona a card thanking him for saving his mom’s life. Sue is equally grateful to her oncologist, Dr. Leena Hajra, who monitored her chemotherapy treatment. “Dr. Hajra was
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BHC Celebrates 10 years, June 2017
MARK YOUR CALENDAR Help Beep Cancer with the 2017 Raffle of Hope
Amici Spa Gala February 24, 2018, Terrace Banquet Centre For details visit amicispa.ca
Support cancer care in our community and you could WIN a 2017 MINI Cooper Convertible and other great prizes! Draw will take place on October 26 at 7:30 p.m. Order tickets by calling 833-MSH-BEEP (833-674-2337). raffleofhope.info
Trek Everest Adventure of a Lifetime From April 21 to May 8, 2018, a dedicated group of MSH supporters will embark on basecamp, Everest. This exciting expedition will benefit surgical care at Markham Stouffville Hospital. To learn more or to give: mshtrekeverest.ca
13th Annual Angus Glen Fall Race Weekend November 4 & 5, 2017, Angus Glen Golf Club Register online: angusglenrunningseries.com
For a full listing of events, visit mshf.on.ca.
Q & A Dr. Angelo with
Vivona
Q. Can you describe how important donor A.
Dr. Angelo Vivona is a General Surgeon at Markham Stouffville Hospital.
support is to the work you do?
Donor support helps to fund services which I use every day in providing patient care. These services include the Breast Health Centre, where patients with breast abnormalities are seen; the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, where state-of-the-art equipment helps to diagnose and treat patients; the Surgical System, where more advanced equipment helps us to provide newer and better care for our community.
Q. What message of thanks would you like Q. Why did you choose to join MSH? A. I was fortunate to spend the last six
months of my surgical training at MSH in 1999. At that time, the hospital was much smaller than it is now. I was impressed by how well all the staff worked together. Everyone got along with each other, focusing all their energy to doing what was best for patient care. With the Department of General Surgery expanding after I graduated, I knew that was the environment in which I wanted to practice.
A.
to send to donors?
As our population ages and our community continues to grow, we rely more and more on the generous support of our donors to help fund new services and programs that enhance and improve patient care at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Our goal is to provide the best care for our patients. We achieve this through the important participation of our donors.
Q. Who is Dr. Vivona when you’re not at work? A. When not at work, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, spending time at the cottage, and travelling. Because I have a giant sweet tooth, I enjoy baking with my nieces and nephew.
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The Power of Your Giving Thanks from the CEO Your generosity touches the lives of thousands of patients and families who rely on Markham Stouffville Hospital every day. Your support funds life-saving equipment, technology and programs. Thanks to you, our patients receive exceptional care whether they come to us through the Emergency Department or the Breast Health Centre or any of our other many areas of care. You make the difference in how we deliver health care to our community. In fact, thanks to donor support we recently purchased two new rapid infusers to help save patients experiencing significant blood loss, as well as funded services and equipment within three of our top life-saving areas: childbirth & children’s services, cardiac care and cancer care. This is truly the power of your giving. With gratitude,
Donor Profile
Local business owner happy to give back Colin Marr, president of Albamar Holding Company, takes nothing for granted.
Colin Marr with Suzette Strong
Originally from Scotland, Colin feels fortunate to live in Canada where he has access to excellent health care if and when he and his family need it. And he’s grateful he can receive that high quality care close to home at his own community hospital. To show his gratitude, Albamar generously donates to MSH to help ensure the hospital has the equipment it needs to care for those in the community. “When you’re fortunate enough to have the financial means, it’s so important to give back,” Colin says. “I’m blessed to be in this position.” A local business owner since 1985, he encourages other business leaders to also become supporters of MSH. “It’s an opportunity to show your clients and customers that you care,” Colin says. “It’s a great way to demonstrate pride in your community.” In fact, Colin says giving back is important for everyone. He’s appreciative of the many dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to MSH. And, he’s very supportive of those who are considering making a financial contribution to the place they turn to for innovative care and treatment. “Giving to MSH offers a way to direct your donations to a charity that matters to you personally,” Colin says. “Happiness comes from giving back.” If you own (or work for) a local business interested in supporting MSH, please contact Suzanne Couture at 905.472.7373 ext. 6972 or scouture@msh.on.ca.
MSH Foundation CEO Suzette Strong
MSHF17005-4
MSH Partners with Flato Markham Theatre Over $2.2 million has already been given to MSH this year.
THANK YOU!
The MSH Foundation will partner with 10 shows of the 2017-18 Diamond Season lineup. A portion of all ticket sales from these shows will be donated to MSH. Please use the promo code: “MSH” when ordering your tickets and thank you for your support.
379 Church Street, Suite 303, Markham, Ontario L6B 0T1 Tel: 905.472.7059 | mshf.on.ca Charitable Registration No. 13064 3620 RR0001
@MSHospital