Shine a Light Stories

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If you would like to share your Shine a Light story, please email us at special.events@cancercare.mb.ca.

2024 STORIES

This was my first time to the Shine A Light ceremony. It was very emotional for me going back to CancerCare. During the 18 months that my husband, Brad fought his glioblastoma diagnosis we spent a lot of time there. The care Brad got at CancerCare and the HSC was wonderful.
A light will shine in his memory thanks to family and friends who donated to such a worthy cause.

 

– Kristine

We continue to shine a light in memory of our son/brother/grandson/nephew/cousin, Colby Macdonald.

Colby was diagnosed with Medulla Blastoma in April 2013 at the age of 5 and after a 2 1/2 year hard fought battle, we lost our little warrior
on November 26th, 2015.

Colby was a loving, caring and mischievous little man who lit up our lives and left an impression on everyone he met, children and adults alike!! Even as he fought the cancer, Colby continued to make us laugh at his antics, and despite all the treatments he went through, he never failed to brighten our lives with his beautiful smile.

Colby, we miss you immensely and will love you always and forever. Your light will continue to shine bright in our hearts forever and a day.

 

– Love your family 😇❤️

Our light is shining bright for our mother/ grandmother Evangeline Jackson Lane. Evangeline was diagnosed with primary liver cancer in July 2023 which is the same cancer that took her mother 38 years earlier. She was very kind and had a beautiful soul. One of her favourite days was when all the family got together at the acreage in late July. It was a special day of great visits, smokies, a bonfire and group hugs all around. Seeing her granddaughter get married in November and spending more time with her family that day was also something she cherished. Her love for her family was strong and she fought hard to stay with us as long as she could. Heaven gained a beautiful angel on January 20,2024. Mom, we love you and your light will shine bright in our hearts forever and always.

 

– Cheryl G. and Family

My donation is in honour of my older brother Aron Engel, who had no children, so that is why I am making a donation on his behalf, in honouring his memory.

 

– Susan EW.

This is the third year I have made a donation in memory of my beloved husband. Chris was a wonderful person and everyone who came in contact with him instantly understood what kind of a great person he was. Chris loved music, sports, his friend and family, especially his son Thomas. Chris was very creative and had a wicked sense of humor. Losing Chris to Cancer has been very hard for all of his friends and family.

 

– Karen S.

My donation is in memory of my mother who passed away Easter Sunday 2024. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four and a half months beforehand. Mildred was a beautiful, warm, caring, talented and generous woman who loved her family deeply and enjoyed a quality life. She was blessed with many wonderful friends who shared her interests and zest for life. She loved Christmas and enjoyed seeing the outdoor lights. We will miss mom very much this Christmas. Thank you for Shining a Light in her memory.

 

– Karen M.

I am so excited to be able to donate not just to a worthy cause but to something that will shine light on important work and on those who have struggled with cancer.

Ted was my dad. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family was the most important and treasured part of his life. During his journey through life, dad was diagnosed three times with three different cancers; prostate, colon and then adrenal. The first two were diagnosed in his 50s and ten years later his sixties. Both were stage one and he was cured with surgery. My dad never once said why me or complained as he moved through tests, surgeries and recoveries. During a scan to monitor a small aneurysm, a small nodule was noted and cancer suspected. He was in his late eighties and accepted that he was continuing his journey with cancer. He lived his life without fear or thought and chose to focus on family.

Because I am a nurse, dad asked me to be with him as he moved through the tests, appointments and surgeries and support not just him, but my mom and sister as well. We were so lucky and are grateful for the wonderful care received throughout his journey.

Being able to visually see such a beautiful tribute is an opportunity to grieve a bit but remember all the beautiful moments we shared.

 

– Tara SF.

I donated to the Shine a Light campaign in honour of my son, Dr. Hunter Goodon. Hunter was a patient at CancerCare Manitoba twenty years ago during his battle with childhood leukemia, and he is now a resident doctor in emergency medicine at the Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface hospital. Hunter continues to inspire us each and every day with his courage, compassion, and dedication to healing others.

Thank you for allowing me to share our family’s story of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges.

 

– Kelly S.

I just made a donation in memory of my husband Pete Klassen. Such a generic name for a guy with so much personality. He was my love for 48 years. He was a proud Dad of his two girls, making sure they learned how to maintain a vehicle. Teaching them how to do an oil change, change a tire and maybe just a little share for his love for the smell of race fuel and speed. He was always looking for adventure. He loved to build cars, then he loved to drag race them. He loved his drag race family out in Gimli drag strip. Right next door to the drag strip he found his love for skydiving. He loved the thrill. He was a semi driver for many years so he could see the country, both Canada and the US. He then planned vacations to take me to places he knew I would love. In 2002 he built our home in the RM of Ste Anne. He was so proud of doing so much of the work himself and along side his contractor cousin Ed. He loved his home, his property and his dogs. He made so many good friends there, who were always there for him as he was for them. His first fight with cancer was 2013. He fought hard, surgery and chemo takes so much strength to endure. He was so happy to retire and enjoy life on his property until again in 2022 when he was diagnosed. The outcome was not optimistic but he again fought hard with surgery and chemo. He just didn’t have the strength to beat this one. He kept saying just one more spring, just one more summer, just… Pete made it to Oct 12, 2023. I have always said he was the love of my life now he is the light in my life.

 

– Jeannette (Jan) K.

This year I am shining a light for my brother Stanley Barclay who passed away in June after a valiant 3 1/2 year battle with cholangiocarcinoma. As the head of the Masonic Foundation of Manitoba, Stan was a driving force for the Wheels of Hope program and worked tirelessly to raise the funds necessary to ensure CancerCare Manitoba had the vehicles needed to be able to drive patients back and forth to their many appointments. Stan was a volunteer driver for a number of years and then, unfortunately, became a passenger himself. Stan will be forever loved and missed and may his light shine as bright as he did in life!

 

– Merle D. (sister)

I am shining a light in memory of a friend’s friend who lost her battle to breast cancer. She was a joyful, spunky lady that lit up many in her presence.

 

– Trina W.

Frank was diagnosed on June 17th, 2024 and gone by August 10/2024. He was an avid fisherman, and sportsman who took great joy in his wife, twin sons and his grandchildren. He was truly, Pops, The Man, The Myth, The Legend.

 

– Linda G.

My first donation was for my grandniece, Brynn Ducharme, 5 years old (she also has a non-identical twin sister). She had leukemia and was treated at Stollery Hospital in Edmonton for about 2.5yrs. She had her bell ringing ceremony on September 8, 2024, which was a magical and thrilling event.

Second donation was for my cousin, Sherry Lynn Mulhall, who died of ovarian cancer on October 23, 2024 in Red Deer. She loved life to the fullest and taken away too soon.

 

– Kathy B. (sister)

My light is shining for my late husband David, who died 33 years ago at the age of 40 years old. Originally he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but on surgery day, liver cancer was found. David was incredibly brave and an amazing patient…laughing and smiling through all the radiation and chemo. He was loved by many and still greatly missed.

 

– Donna KS.

My sister, Alaing, died Sept. 5, 2023 from biliary tract cancer. She had a career of 45 years as a respected nurse, the majority of it in the operating room at the various sites of Selkirk General Hospital where she had an active role in the surgical…and, hopefully, definitive, management of cancers.


– Gail M.

I have made this donation in loving memory of my daughter who died of stomach cancer at the age of 47. She was a beautiful girl with the softest heart and kindest soul. We miss her more than words can say…

 

– Tannis E. and Family

I honour Debra, my sparkling, generous, loving twin sister who shines her light wherever she goes and with everyone she meets. Shocked to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer after a mammogram in early 2024, throughout a very hard nine months, from gestation to rebirth, Debra remained positive, funny, entertaining, and so appreciative of the friendly and compassionate surgeons, radiation oncologist, nurses, radiation therapists and staff. May everyone on this life challenging journey have many blue skies and sunshiny days, and know that you are thought of and loved.

 

– Sara M.

For my sister we called Bea who fought Breast Cancer twice. She is forever loved and missed. Never forgotten always in my heart.

 

– Liz A.

My mother Beatrice Rasmussen was diagnosed with breast cancer and fought a valiant battle for 23 years. She was living on a farm in southern Manitoba when first diagnosed and later moved to Morden. She was a Breast Cancer Volunteer Visitor and prepared many information packages and delivered them to women in the Morden and Winkler areas. I think the gentleman that she had most contact with was Mr. Murray Bateman (but my memory is not so good). She fought hard to beat the disease and was the first to try different chemo’s and ‘nuclear needles’. My brother drover her to Winnipeg to the St. Boniface Hospital to CancerCare. My mother was honored as a volunteer.

 

CancerCare St Boniface is where I too had my biopsies but I was much luckier, mine were benign.

 

My mother had my friend and I attend all the fashion shows and events that she was able to attend. As such my friend Doris, who later in life developed breast cancer, and I were more thoroughly educated and aware of breast self-examination and the value of mammograms. Shine a Light is a tribute to those who are fighting for their lives and to those who fought so valiantly.

 

– Janet T.

We continue to Shine a Light in memory of our daughter Carrie Homeniuk. She bravely lost her battle of ‘cancer of the unknown’ on July 28, 2021 at the young age of 47 after being diagnosed in March of the same year. Unfortunately, they could not find the ‘primary source of cancer.’ Therefore, any form of treatment was not an option.


She was blessed with a daughter Presley who was her pride and joy. Carrie loved being called Mom!


The sunflower is a symbol of happiness, loyalty and strength. Carrie was all of these. Having sunflowers in your home is like bringing the sunshine indoors; they light up a room just like their presence. And Carrie lit up a room with her presence and contagious smile. In her honour and memory I have a sunflower tattooed on my arm. She is always with me. I know she is looking down on us with her beautiful smile!


Think of you everyday ! Miss you terribly! Love you always and forever!


– Mom and Dad (Pat and Richard H.)

I chose to Shine A Light In Memory of my dear husband Kenneth James Henry.

 

It has been 2 years since cancer took our loved one from us and we miss Ken everyday, not a day goes by where we don’t think of him.

 

Ken truly loved the Christmas season. He always made sure that everybody was taken care of, that everybody had a full plate and also a full glass of wine.

 

He was someone that you could talk to and if you had a problem, Ken would listen and offer some advice or encouragement. He was and still is my rock and anchor. I always think of `what would Ken do’ when I am faced with a challenge or problem.

 

Ken we love you and miss you everyday…in our thoughts forever.

 

XOXOX

 

Teresa, Thomas, Sarah, Karl, Caleb, Matteo, Sofia and Stella. All of your family and friends.

2023 STORIES

My donation to Shine a Light is in memory of our daughter Carrie who passed on July 28, 2021 at the age of 47 years. Her battle lasted 4 months. Cancer of the unknown was her diagnosis therefore any form of treatment was not available.

The sunflower is a symbol of happiness, loyalty and strength. Carrie was all of these.

She was blessed with a beautiful daughter Presley. Having sunflowers in your home is like bringing the sunshine indoors; they light up a place just like their presence. And Carrie lit up a place with her presence and her beautiful smile!

Carrie is always with us, looking down with her smile! Think of you everyday! Miss you terribly!


❤️ Rick and Pat

We continue to shine a light in memory of our son/grandson/nephew/cousin, Colby Macdonald.

Colby was diagnosed with Medulla Blastoma in April 2013 and after a 2 1/2 year hard fought battle, our little warrior lost his fight to this horrible disease on November 26th, 2015.

Colby was a loving, caring and mischievous little man who lit up our lives and left an impression on everyone he met, children and adults alike!!

Even as he fought the cancer, he continued to make us laugh at his antics, and despite all the treatments he went through, he never failed to brighten our days with his beautiful smile.

Colby, we will love and miss you always and forever, and your light will continue to shine bright in our hearts.


– Your family

My donation of Shine a Light is for my mother Josephine Rogers. My mother passed away from pancreas cancer way too young at 59 years old. She was a very caring, generous woman who loved her husband, children, grandchildren and family. She was quick to shine everyone else’s light and share how proud she was about her family. It is time to shine a light for her. She died in 2000 but is thought of daily 23 years later. We miss her!!! Put the money to good use so others can keep their loved ones longer.

– Cheryl B.

I have made a donation in memory of my dear friend Carol Leszcz who died of leukemia. She was an amazing spirit, and her memory continues to bring light to my world.

– Marilyn M.

My light is shining for my late husband David, who died 32 years ago. He died 5 days after his 40th birthday. He was originally diagnosed with esophageal cancer and then liver cancer. He fought very valiantly and never complained or felt sorry for himself. David was an amazing patient while going through chemo and radiation, smiling and laughing even when the going got tough. He was loved by many and still greatly missed. Thank you.

– Donna KS.

Shannon was my best friend, she was my BFF. We laughed together and we cried together. Tomorrow would have been her birthday, it is the first time I cannot call her and wish her a happy birthday. During the pandemic we would face time each other and toast each other on our birthdays. She would have the white wine spritzer and I would have the red wine with dark chocolate on the side. She always got a kick out of that!

Happy birthday my BFF
November 5, 1956 – June 14, 2023


– Christine R.

I made my Shine a Light donation in memory of Madeleine Nolette because of her love of Christmas. In her obituary it states “Madeleine loved the Christmas season and ensured everyone attending her large gatherings had presents to open. Her home was often referred to as a Christmas Wonderland.”

She will be missed so much!
Thank you – Merci!


– Suzanne N.

This light will be in memory of my sister, Alaing Clare, who died from cancer on September 5, less than 2 months after diagnosis. A part of her workup was a consult with Dr. Lesley Roberts at CancerCare, HSC and referral with Dr. Puff, CancerCare in Selkirk. My sister, a retired R.N., had a long history in the Operating Room in Selkirk and scrubbed in for many surgical diagnostics and treatments for cancer. Her light shone throughout her career.

– Gail M.

This year we continue to Shine the Light in honour of my wife in her journey with cancer. Her journey continues on a positive note with successful treatment with breast cancer. We also shine a bright light in gratitude of all the medical team at CancerCare. God bless!

– Terry and Segunda C.

My husband, Tom Curtis, was a patient with CancerCare for 20 months. He was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 4 bladder cancer. He Lost his battle in October of 2022. During his 20 months with Cancercare he relied on support from Cancercare almost on a daily basis. Chemo & radiation were extremely hard on him and he had to be admitted regularly for hydration and follow up care. His nurse Marybeth was an Angel and his conversations with her always brought him a sense of peace. Cancercare provided excellent care for Tom and they were always there for his many needs. Thank You

– Maggie C.

We are shining a light for our son Neil who we lost March 30, 2018. He was our shining light. Cancercare supported his journey through his treatments and treated him and his family with care and dignity which we will be forever grateful for.

– Grant & Helen D.

My donation is in the memory of my husband Clifford Hnatiuk who passed away in August 2019 after a 2 ½ year battle with Mesothelioma. He left behind two daughters, a stepdaughter and two stepsons as well as seven grandchildren.

We will be forever thankful for the services provided by CancerCare Manitoba and will continue to make donations to support research and ongoing patient and family care. Thank you so much for the work that CancerCare does for patients and families.


– Alyce H.

Our family wanted to Shine a Light for our beautiful mom & beloved wife – Pearl Worona. We lost her on August 7, 2023 after her second battle with breast cancer. That day the world got much dimmer as she brought so much light, love and laughter to the lives of everyone around her.

We are grateful to Shine a Light in support of CancerCare in her memory. She is deeply missed by her family – husband Lawrence (they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this October), daughter Lorey, son Andy and all our family members. Forever in our hearts ❤️


– Sheldon & Lorey A.

I Shine a Light in honour of the Radiation Therapy department. The people who administer radiation to patients every day are angels. They welcomed me every morning with a warm smile and an arm around my shoulder that made me feel seen and safe and cared for. They lifted my spirits when I felt like the treatments would never end. They rubbed my back when I was nauseous. They hugged me despite the pandemic, despite the dubious hygiene that comes with 31 relentless days of pelvic radiation treatments, simply because they knew I needed it. I am forever grateful.

I hope the radiation therapists read this because they had a meaningful, lasting impact on me. I hope they know how important their work is and how well they do it.


– Andrée-Anne B.

I am choosing to Shine A Light to honour my dear husband Kenneth James Henry. We all miss him dearly. He was such a great man. Even during his treatments he always asked how I was doing…miss him and love him everyday. Especially around the holidays because he always loved a house full of family and friends. He was always in charge of the turkey. From roasting and basting, to carving it. Love you babe!

– Teresa S.H.

The person who I Shine a Light for is Dr. Lin Yang at CancerCare. She has been providing care for me since July 2022. I really appreciate how thorough she is and how she explains everything to me in terminology that I can easily understand.

– Linda F.

Brenda McMullen was a wonderful woman who bravely fought cancer for 12 years. She was a mother, wife, grandmother, sister, daughter. She loved Jesus and was an inspiration to many. It was a great joy for her to be able to spend time with her children and grandchildren, and with her extended family. She is dearly missed, and deeply loved.


– Marcia R.

Bob was a very special husband father and papa. I am very happy to say even though he was diagnosed with cancer June 13, 2022 he never passed from it. He had it in his throat which caused problems breathing, which in turn caused a heart attack that left him brain dead. On what would have been his first day of treatment it was decided to turn off live support, the following day September 7, 2022 he passed, his second treatment day.

I can’t say enough about the team at cancer care, they are all very helpful and caring, making a tough time a little easier. I also dealt with them with my mom.

Thank you to the angels of CancerCare for everything you do.


– Julie S.

I am shining a light in memory of my dear Mom, Ettie Robinson, who passed away from cancer in November of 2018.

My Mom got the best of care at CancerCare. Everyone was very friendly, positive and caring. We are so appreciative of the year we had with Mom after her diagnosis.

Thank-you for everything you do to help people and their families.


– Bonnie R.

Once again I am Shining A Light for my son, Donny Bresch. He was diagnosed with ALL at the age of 5. He fought so courageously through 5 years of chemo, radiation and 2 relapses until he beat it! Donny married and had two beautiful children. At the age of 30 the secondary cancers began. First thyroid cancer, several skin cancers, esophageal cancer and finally he passed away in August 2022 from liver cancer at the age of 45.

Donny your courage and will to live was a shining light for us. We miss you but your light is still shining bright in our hearts.


– Joan B.

2022 STORIES

Our mom has survived cancer twice. She is 97 years old. I also have cancer.

– Kay F.

In memory of our dad/didu… we miss you each and everyday ♥️

– Donna P.

I donated to this special event in memory of my mother, Shirley Nixon who passed from lung cancer.


– Kathy B.

I am shining a light for my sister, Linda Carol Nelson.

– Alison B.

I am forever grateful for the care I received after being diagnosed with a large cancerous tumour in my stomach. On October 7th, 2016, I received my “pic”n my first 6 chemotherapies . Every staff member treated me with kindness n compassion. Thank you for all the help to regain my health.

– Janet C.

My wife Segunda was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2022. She underwent surgery at Health Science Hospital and later received radiation treatment. We feel so blessed by all the staff and doctors for their care and support.


– Terry C.

We honour Jolene Wood.
She is a cancer survivor, still fighting with everything in her. Jolene was told she had metastatic cancer 2 years ago. She is a young, proud, indigenous woman, age 37 years. She has two sons ages, 15 and 8 and a partner and lives in Borden, Ontario. It is She we honour with a light.


– Croy J.

Five years ago on December 6th, I began my radiation treatments for breast cancer. I made my daily trip to Cancercare for my radiation treatments for 4 weeks. From my 1st visit to my last visit I was treated with kindness and compassion.

I will never forget the people from Cancercare with helping me through this difficult journey. It’s been five years, and I thank these people every day.


– Marge L.

My light is shining for my son, Donny Bresch, who passed away from metastatic liver cancer on August 14, 2022 at the age of 45. Donny was a childhood cancer survivor (ALL) who was diagnosed at the age of 5. He fought courageously through 2 relapses, five straight years of chemotherapy and a full month of radiation to his head and spine. His oncologist believed his beating ALL was miraculous considering those 2 relapses.

All was well until 13 years ago when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer followed by several basal cell carcinomas on his head. In the summer of 2021 he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and put up a great battle through chemo treatments and surgery. He was just feeling well enough to return to work this August when he was diagnosed with the liver cancer. He lasted 2 very hard fought weeks. He leaves behind his wife and two beautiful children.

My son never surrendered. His children became his light and reason for fighting so hard. He is very much loved and missed.


– Joni B.

My mother Margaret just passed away on Thanksgiving (October 10, 2022) She was 84. Mom was fist diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 41. She had a radical mastectomy, we were blessed with 38 years before the cancer showed up in the other breast. This time at her age mom opted for a lumpectomy and received radiation. She was able to see her second granddaughter get married, and had the opportunity to meet her two great grandsons in the last couple of years. Margaret Desrocher was a breast cancer survivor! Unfortunately, she was also diagnosed with melanoma in the last 5 years. My mom is my hero, everything she went through because she loved her family, being with us and doing things together. I will miss her always and forever.


I want to thank Dr. Rivard and many others at Cancer Care for what you do everyday!


I also would like to thank the volunteers that drive cancer patients to and from their treatments ❤️ this was very helpful to us.


Shining a Light for my mother Margaret is so appreciated as she was such a light in our lives.


– Patricia D.

Deborah was the light in my life for 45+ years of marriage.

She was a loving Mother, Wife and Educator revered by everyone she came in contact with.

Born: July 25th, 1953. Died: April 10th, 2019

In very loving memory!


– John, Chesney, Kellen and Lesya B.

I just purchased a Shine a Light in memory of my brother, Dr. Garry Schroeder. He worked as a Radiologist Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba. He has been missed by our family. My 98-year-old mother was talking again today about how much she missed him.

– Carolyn M.

Sharon Pollack was a CancerCare Manitoba volunteer, the first coordinator of its Caring Room, a frequent media source about its programming and a Guardian Angel Award of Distinction honouree. And throughout that time she received the best of care from its doctors and nurses and staff. So it’s right for her light to shine in their workplace window.

– Rocky P.

We lost a husband, Dad and Poppa on August 9, 2021. We shine our light in memory of Russ Killbery, for the ‘light of our lives’ who made Christmas incredible. He loved shopping and always found those perfect gifts. Our traditions are what he created, listening to Lee Greenwood Christmas music, driving through the city to see the lights, family gatherings, dinner with all his favourites and bringing joy to all around him. His eyes would twinkle and he’d say this is what it’s all about: the happiness that only a room full of children, laughter and love could bring.

Miss you always and love you forever.


– Marie, Meghan, Jared, Garth, Becky, Kieran, Kellan,
Makenna, Dekker, Freya, Zaylee and Zennyk

I have donated on behalf of my late wife who sadly lost her battle with cervical cancer in 2019.

She was a loving wife, friend, college and person to everyone around her. She started a campaign to collect socks, gloves, toques and any other winter gear for shalom mission to help people in need during the winter months. She enlisted the wives of the Winnipeg Jets one year to help her collect and they did a great job getting donations of clothes for that cause. Laura was a giving person no matter who was in need, she is sorely missed by family and friends every year during the Christmas holiday.

CancerCare Manitoba was there for her day or night no matter what the need was, and the level of care she received from doctors, techs, nurses and all support staff up until the end was unparalleled. I want to thank all the doctors on her team, headed by Dr.Altman. The treatment I received from them being involved in all aspects and explaining everything in detail to me during treatment got me through one of the toughest times in my life. Keep up the good work you all do.


– Mike K.

I have given a $100.00 donation to Shine A Light at CancerCare in memory of my mom, Dorothy Slidders. My mom absolutely loved Christmas lights. She lived until 102 years old and was still sharp as a tack. In the end it was her Breast Cancer that took her life. I hope somehow she knows that one of your lights is for her.

This is a wonderful idea. Thank you CancerCare for doing this.


– Judy H.

I have made a donation in memory of my mother in law, Jacqueline Singer. She died of lung cancer in 1989. So long ago, but she is still missed. She was Executive Assistant to Dr. Lionel Israels for many years, so was well familiar with the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, as it was then known. She was a wonderful caring person, and her lovely caring granddaughter, my daughter, is named after her – Jackie never got to see her. She continues on through the best in us.

Thanks for giving me this opportunity.


– Marilyn M.

I am shining a light in memory of my amazing grandson Colby Macdonald.


Colby was diagnosed with Medulla Blastoma in April 2013 and lost his battle to this horrible disease on November 26th, 2015 at the age of 8 years old. Colby was a loving, caring, funny and mischievous little man who lit up our life. He left an impression on everyone he met, children and adults alike. Even during his battle he was a warrior who still laughed, entertained us with his antics and never failed to lighten our days with his beautiful smile.


We miss him every day and his memory will never fade.


– Karen M.

I would like to thank all the doctors and nurses and everyone involved with the care of my husband Tom Curtis.

He spent 22 months at CancerCare before losing his battle. Tom had a very difficult battle with cancer and anytime he had a question or a concern CancerCare was there for him. He trusted all his doctors and nurses over at CancerCare.

Thank You so much for all the excellent care Tom received during his journey with Cancer.


– Maggie C.

My light is shining for my late husband David, who died 31 years ago. He died 5 days after his 40th birthday. He was originally diagnosed with esophageal cancer and then liver cancer.

He fought very valiantly and never complained or felt sorry for himself. David was an amazing patient while going through chemo and radiation, smiling and laughing even when the going got tough.

He was loved by many and still greatly missed. ❤️


– Donna KS.

We are Shining a Light in memory of our mother Norah Bailey.


She received wonderful care at CancerCare Manitoba during her journey with ovarian cancer.


She was a shining light in our family and we still feel her presence. She cared deeply about others and would be happy to know we are honouring her while helping others.


We love and miss you Mum!


– Esme B.

I donated to Shine a Light in memory of mother, Sheila Gunderson.

She passed away almost 5 years ago in November of 2017. Even though she drove me crazy at times, I still miss her dearly.

She was a woman of strong faith who could really cook and was an amazing baker!


– Bruce G.

My donation to Shine A Light
at CancerCare is for my husband Gordon Demers, with much gratitude for the caring staff & wonderful care he received during his Prostate Cancer treatments
in 2020.

Light always brings us joy. I hope that anyone touched by cancer can find some joy in seeing these lovely lights that are shining
for them as well.


– Linda D.

We are shining our light for dad who passed away 2 years ago. Still miss him dearly. We also want to express our thanks to CancerCare Manitoba for providing the care and support.

– B Fan.

My family is shining a light in memory of Ed Parkin. We know Ed isn’t suffering now, that’s what gives us strength to carry on. We all miss you Ed very much.

– BettyAnn K.

I am Shining a Light in memory of my mom, Myrna, who passed away with cancer. Her kindness, laughter and love for people were a bright light to everyone around her.

– Lorena G.

I have made the donation in memory of my beloved husband Chris Dant. Chris lost his battle with Prostate Cancer in January of 2021 after 6 years. He never gave up hope and always put everyone at ease when discussing what he was going through. The staff at CancerCare were so supportive especially Dr. Joel Gingerich and Cheryl.

Chris worked for True North Sport and Entertainment and the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Everyone who knew him learned very quickly that he had an extensive knowledge base when it came to sports. He was avid golfer. He had a great love for music and was an amazing guitarist.

I can’t begin to describe how much he is missed by not only myself, Thomas, Stacy, Ermina Rusty (our dog), his brother Rob, sister Shanlee, brother-in-law Robert and niece Sharilyn and the rest of the family, but all his friends and everyone’s else life he touched.


– Karen S.

Our light is shining in honour of my uncle, Ray Schroeder who lost his battle with oropharyngeal cancer 20 years ago on November 8, 2002
at 51 years young.

 

He was a light in our family and received excellent care by my colleagues at CancerCare Manitoba.

 

I now work as a radiation oncology resident doctor at CCMB and try to offer my patients the same compassionate care my uncle was fortunate to receive here.

 

– Dr. Megan McDonald and the Schroeder Family

I Shine a Light in memory of my wife, Sylvia. She passed away this year of mesothelioma cancer.

My heartfelt thank you to all of her CancerCare doctors, nurses and other staff for their kindness in their treatment of Sylvia. Also thanks to the palliative care nurses for helping me look after my wife.

I and my family miss her every day.
Thoughts and prayers for all cancer patients.


– Gord D.

Having worked at CancerCare Manitoba for more than 30 years, in various clinic areas (adult and pediatric oncology clinics, radiation oncology clinics, and Chemotherapy Treatment Room to name a few), I have been fortunate to have encountered so many wonderful patients, some still with us, and some who have passed on. Some were also my colleagues. All continue to inspire me.

I have witnessed the monumental, and truly innovative research that has been carried out here in CancerCare Manitoba, both by researchers and clinicians who have since retired, and by those still working here today. For all of these reasons, I am “shining my light” with my donation.


– Michelle P.

If you would like to share your Shine a Light story, please email us at special.events@cancercare.mb.ca.