Often at this time of year, you hear stories that both break your heart and at the same moment, give you faith in the goodness and inspiration of humankind. This is one of those stories.
Sandra Parrott has lived in Huntsville for 57 years, Rick Wearing about 40. They have been together as a couple for the past 30 years. Life has been good to them. Then about three years ago, Rick and Sandra, along with their six children and five grandchildren, got the news that changed everything; cancer has that effect. Rick was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, aka renal cell carcinoma.
“The last three years have been especially difficult,” says Rick. “The diagnosis was almost by accident. I was in for X-rays on my hip and one thing led to another. We found something on my kidney and in my lung, and we’ve been fighting it ever since.”
Since Rick’s cancer diagnosis, both he and Sandra are making the tough life decisions together while they still can. One of those decisions is this letter and their choice to create a donation matching program this year in Rick’s name.
When you make a donation before December 31, 2025, Sandra and Rick will match
it dollar for dollar — up to $25,000.
“How do you say thank you to the hospital team who have cared so much and done so much for me and my family over the decades, and especially these last few years?” asks Rick. “You give from the heart. The doctors, nurses, technicians, the emergency and day surgery teams, everyone in the chemo unit and the custodians: Everyone treated me with care and respect.”
Every donation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation helps buy the equipment and technology that allows our professionals and the entire hospital team to diagnose and treat your family, your friends and neighbours and even people you haven’t met yet.
Rick has had over 16 CT scans during the last three years. Having the technology here in Huntsville meant he was always close to home and family.
“Chances are you’re going to need this hospital,” concludes Rick. “It might be something minor, it might be life threatening. Either way, you’ll want to know the equipment available here in Huntsville is the latest, greatest and accessible.”
“We wouldn’t have the equipment here we have without donors,” says Sandra. “This is our way to say thank you for Rick’s care. We created this matching program to double the impact every donation has. In Rick’s name, please give generously today. Let’s make it one of the best donation campaigns the foundation has seen!”
On behalf of your Huntsville Hospital Foundation team, Rick, Sandra and their family, thank you for giving at this time of year and especially this year.
Katherine Craine
CEO, Huntsville Hospital Foundation
PS. Matching donation programs make every dollar you give to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation work even harder. Double the buying power of new technology and equipment and double the support for the hospital team you depend on. Visit https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/donate/
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