Spring 2016 foundation report

the

F O U N D A TI O N SPRING 2016

report

FINDING

In This Issue: photo by Todd Muller

Mackenzie’s story of overcoming MDS teaches us to find hope in unexpected places.

When asked to describe her 16-year-old self, Mackenzie Curran says that she was “pretty normal.” The grade 10 student thrived in math and science classes, and spent her afternoons playing basketball for her school team.

Mackenzie noticed that she was easily tired during basketball practice, and one morning she didn’t have the energy to sit up in bed. Doctors thought that a virus was causing her white blood cell count to be low, but six

Foundation Report Spring 2016.indd 1

months later her red blood cell count also dropped, indicating that something much worse was happening.

The lab results of a bone marrow biopsy showed that she had Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)—a type of preleukemia that disrupts the normal production of blood cells. She would need a bone marrow transplant to survive.

“It was pretty devastating,” said Mackenzie of her diag-

Continued on pg. 5...

DONOR SURVEY Tell us what you think of our work. p. 2

TAKE A TOUR Your ticket to an exclusive tour of the hospitals. p. 3

TELEMEDICINE How one gift can help countless youth. p. 6

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR...

Kingston’s hospitals are a huge source of pride for this community.

Last fall, I was asked, “What makes you feel proud of your organization?” I shared the story of my daily drive down King Street, past the new Providence Care Hospital site and St. Mary’s of the Lake, past KGH , across Johnson Street, (where I get a glimpse of Hotel Dieu Hospital) and across Ordnance Street, where I look up the hill to see Providence Manor.

As I pass these buildings, I think of our patients, residents and clients. Some are preparing for discharge. Others face surgery, while still others are going through the final days of life. Many are engaged in daily activities in the place they call home.

Denise Cumming, UHKF Executive Director

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! We’d be grateful if you would take a moment to complete the survey included with your newsletter to share your experience as a donor to UHKF. All responses will be kept strictly confidential and used to guide us in how we can better serve you.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

You have improved their care experiences … from new buildings and equipment to innovative training and research. This is what makes me proud.

As I toured the construction site of the new Providence Care Hospital last week, I could see how this incredible facility will support the best care outcomes for every patient. In the months ahead, there will be opportunities for all of us to engage in the new Providence Care Hospital. I encourage you to make time to learn about this amazing project, made possible by generous people and communities. You’ll be proud too!

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YOUR PASSPORT TO HEALTHCARE A first-hand tour of Kingston’s hospitals that you`ll never forget!

University Hospitals Kingston Foundation has partnered with McCoy Tours to offer “Passport to Healthcare”, a series of free tours that can bring you behind-the-scenes of Kingston’s hospitals.

Guided by a UHKF staff member and an expert care provider, the tour visits three unique and innovative healthcare areas at Kingston General Hospital, Hotel Dieu Hospital, and Providence Care.

On the tour you will meet extraordinary people whose skills and talents change lives, and you will have an opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art technology and equipment purchased with donations such as yours.

The next McCoy tour is scheduled for April 20th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To reserve your seat on the bus, call Marie Mackenzie at 613-549-5452 ext.

5914.

“If you can give from your heart, no matter what the amount may be, it is going to make a difference.”

See Liz’s story on pg. 4

What will your legacy be?

Plan to make a difference today. s Jones

bb Liz Do

Contact Zoë MacKenzie at 613-549-6666 ext. 4953.

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A LASTING LEGACY The story of Liz Dobbs Jones.

Liz Dobbs Jones and her brother Andrew were raised in a single-parent home with a loving father who instilled in them the importance of giving back.

“It’s not about the amount.

It’s about the act,” she says.

“If you can give from your heart, no matter what the amount may be, it is going to make a difference.”

Liz has made more than 400 donations to Kingston’s hospitals, and has been unfailing in sharing her own time and efforts,

Liz participating in Relay For Life. and encourages others to do the same.

someone else for such a gift, she knew she had to “walk the talk.”

After volunteering as a member of the Kingston General Hospital Board of Directors for several years, she joined the foundation and was focused on creating a planned giving program in support of our hospitals.

“I have given personally at a level that I am pleased with,” she says. “And thanks to the excellent care at all of Kingston’s hospitals, I’m here today to talk about it. ” See Liz’s full story at uhkf.ca/ lizdobbsjones/

But before she could ask

YES! I WANT TO SUPPORT OUR HOSPITALS...

Cut out this form and mail to: University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, 55 Rideau Street, Suite 4, Kingston ON, K7K 2Z8

I want to make a one-time donation of $________________

I would like to see my donation:

I want to make a monthly donation of $_________________ or

Method of payment: I have enclosed a blank cheque payable to UHKF, marked “VOID”.

Please withdraw the above amount on the ______ day of each month.

Shared where needed most ____________________________ (please specify)

Signature: _______________________________________ Please charge my

Visa

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I authorize UHKF to charge my monthly donation to my credit card on the ______ day of each month.

Card #______________________________________

Expiry Date: _____ /______

Personal

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Signature: ___________________________________

Name of Card Holder: __________________________________

We recognize donors by name in our publications: I do not wish my name to be published.

Tax receipts will be issued for all qualifying gifts of $20 or more. Charitable Registration No. 820218147R0001. We do not sell or rent our mailing lists.

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lists.

Continued from cover...

SAVED BY THE LABS Mackenzie playing basketball for Kingston Impact before her diagnosis, and receiving treatment in November 2013. nosis. “I didn’t know what MDS was, I didn’t know anything about bone marrow transplants…I was told it would be two to six months in the hospital and then six months of inhome isolation. I knew it would be a long journey.”

“I had to find hope in little places,” explained Mackenzie. “I relied a lot on the support from the community and my goal to play basketball again.”

Under different circumstances, Mackenzie would have stayed at the Ronald McDonald house for six months after receiving the transplant at SickKids, but because of the high quality of care available here in Kingston she was able to return home before Christmas. “[Sick Kids] knew that KGH had the tools and knowledge to take care of pg. 5 | SPRING 2016 Foundation Report Spring 2016.indd 5

me properly,” explained Mackenzie. “It was really amazing to be able to come home so quickly afterwards. I had complete trust in my doctors.”

From the lab staff who made the initial diagnosis, to the social workers and nurses who made her smile every day, many unforgettable staff members played a part in Mackenzie’s’ recovery.

“You don’t really know what your future is going to be when you have cancer, you’re overwhelmed with the news and the treatment,” said Mackenzie. “[The staff] are absolutely amazing. They take away from the negative part of it and made it a more positive experience—I really appreciated that.”

The staff in the Richardson Labs at Kingston General Hospital care deeply about their patients, even though they rarely see them face-to-face.

Mackenzie toured the lab to learn the science behind her MDS diagnosis. She even had the opportunity to see her own bone marrow sample and meet the team that diagnosed her.

“To see exactly what they saw when they diagnosed me two years ago, which ultimately led to the transplant that saved my life is pretty incredible,” said Mackenzie. “I really expected it to be that they get a tube of blood, put it in a machine, and get the results, but it’s so much more in-depth than that.”

Learn more about Mackenzie’s story at uhkf.ca/mackenzie/

19/02/2016 9:05:52 AM

REXALL FOUNDATION FUNDS NEW PROGRAM AT HOTEL DIEU HOSPITAL The Rexall Foundation has donated a $27,300 to establish a Telemedicine Consult and Assessment Program as part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Consult Clinic at Hotel Dieu Hospital.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Consult Clinic provides mental health services to over 500 adolescents each year, half of whom travel from areas outside of Kingston to access this care. The introduction of a Telemedicine Consult and Assessment Program will give patients in rural areas or with barriers to accessibility the opportunity to receive treatment and consultation via videoconference through a secure Ontario Telemedicine Network connection.

“

A child or teen in distress can’t be told there is a six month wait for help. With this program, we can help them the next day.

”

- Dr . Nasreen Roberts, HDH psychiatrist

“Telemedicine gives patients real-time access to the staff in the clinic,” says Mike McDonald, Chief of Patient Care at Hotel Dieu Hospital. “If you’re living in Bancroft and you need to talk to someone, we can arrange for you to do so without travelling. It brings the clinics from Kingston, to those rural patients and families.”

For more information about this donation, visit uhkf.ca/rexall/

55 Rideau Street, Suite 4 Kingston, Ontario, K7K 2Z8

Tel 613.549.5452 Toll-Free 1.866.549.5452 Web uhkf.ca pg. 6 | SPRING 2016 Foundation Report Spring 2016.indd 6

Charitable #820218147 RR0001

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