Planned Giving Stories Archives - CancerCare Manitoba Foundation

Sandra’s Story

Seven years ago, Sandra was given one year to live following a lung cancer diagnosis. Today, she is travelling the world and living a full life thanks to the support of donors like you.

In early 2017, pathology results from surgery confirmed Sandra had stage 3 lung cancer. “When the results came back and they told me I had cancer, I didn’t believe it,” said Sandra. “It was really hard news to take in.” Sandra was told that even with treatment, she likely only had one year to live.

Thanks to donors’ continued support of research, Sandra has benefitted from treatments not available when she was first diagnosed, including immunotherapy and a new type of radiation therapy.

Sandra is thankful to donors like you for the extra time you have given her, “‘Knowing I was only given a year or so to live, and here I am today…it’s pretty amazing.”

While in treatment, Sandra decided to ‘pay it forward’ by including a gift in her will. Her investment in research will one day help someone like her after she is gone.

“In deciding my will, I wanted to give back in a way that resonates with me. I have seen treatment improvements and some successes for lung cancer – for my mother, for myself and now for friends and family. This has been very encouraging, and I want to contribute too.”

Today, Sandra is doing well. She continues with regular appointments and scans and spends a lot of her time doing what she loves – travelling the world. “Travelling is my way of looking forward. Now when I go in for my appointments, people don’t ask me how I am or how I’m feeling, they ask where I’ve been and where I’m going.”

Sandra has seen the progress and experienced the life-changing impact of donor-funded research at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba. Thanks to you, and to Manitobans who have so generously made gifts in their wills, more Manitobans like Sandra will experience more tomorrows doing the things they love.

Lynne’s gift in her will was a way to give back

In May of 2014, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I was 64-years-old, active and in good health. I knew nothing about lymphoma. I had only gone to the doctor because my abdomen was uncomfortable when doing yoga!

Thus began my journey with cancer and CancerCare. I was scared, in shock, and had no idea what was in store for me.

To say this has been a life-altering experience for myself and my family is an understatement.

While I am optimistic that those events are behind me, I still have moments where I struggle. A cancer diagnosis can leave one with a form of post-traumatic stress that you think will never go away.

The support I received from CancerCare was wide ranging. Cutting-edge research, well trained, competent and caring staff were just the beginning. I also took part in programs and accessed resources and supports through all the stages of my treatment and recovery.

My lymphoma proved to be challenging. My oncologist recommended a stem cell transplant. That was in 2019. Now ten years later, I view myself as a tribute to modern medicine.

I wanted to pay back the care I had received. I have participated in the Challenge for Life, donated to rides for pediatric cancers, bought lemonade and made tribute donations to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation to honour family and friends.

The word ‘legacy’ never crossed my mind, but I knew I wanted to do something a little more far reaching. I decided to make a gift in my will to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. It’s a modest amount in the big picture of donations that come to CancerCare, but all those little bits add up to make a “big bit”. I donate to many charities, but because of my own cancer experience and those of many others in my life, I decided a legacy donation to CancerCare would have the greatest impact.

If you would like information about including a gift in your will, or how to include a gift, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Monique Gauthier
Development Manager
mgauthier8@cancercare.mb.ca
204-927-5433

Diane’s care influenced her decision to leave a gift in her will

Diane has seen the impact of donors’ investment in cancer care and patient experience in Manitoba. She returned to Winnipeg in 2013 as a cancer patient who required regular follow-up after successful treatment for a malignant brain tumour.

Diane was immediately impressed with CancerCare Manitoba, where her case was reviewed and monitored by an entire team of oncologists. Initially requiring MRI scans every six months, the time between scans eventually grew to every twelve months.

In 2023, Diane was diagnosed with cancer a second time – this time breast cancer, which was detected early through a routine screening procedure. She successfully underwent surgery and her scans have shown no areas of concern.

Diane enjoys a full life with the people she loves and the activities that are important to her. She cherishes time with her family, and she and her husband Ken take pleasure in travelling, with a particular passion for riverboat cruises.

Having been the recipient of excellent care from the dedicated professionals at CancerCare Manitoba, Diane understands first-hand the importance of funding research, clinical trials, patient care and cancer prevention.

“The work in cancer will never stop. Making a gift in our will is a way for us to continue sharing our good fortune for years to come.” – Diane

If you would like information about including a gift in your will, or how to include a gift, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Monique Gauthier
Development Manager
mgauthier8@cancercare.mb.ca
204-927-5433

Sylvia and Gord’s Gift

“I have stage four cancer but I’m still here,” says 80-year-old Sylvia who has been living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma since the year 2000. Thanks to donors’ investment in local cancer research, today Sylvia is thriving.

With her husband Gord by her side, Sylvia has been coming to CancerCare Manitoba for treatments for over 20 years. It hasn’t been an easy road. She has undergone intense chemotherapy treatments, experienced difficult side effects and allergic reactions and on more than one occasion, required blood transfusions to save her life. Still, she has remained positive and committed to living life to the fullest.

In 2019, after almost 20 years of treatment, Sylvia’s chemotherapy stopped working. Sylvia and Gord were understandably extremely anxious to find another treatment option.

They were relieved to learn that thanks to years of donor-funded research, personalized approaches to treating cancer and blood disorders had advanced significantly. Advances in genomics and precision medicine gave them a renewed sense of hope.

To honour the care they have both received, Sylvia and Gord joined the More Tomorrows Legacy Circle by including CancerCare Manitoba Foundation in their wills.

“Everyone treats us so well at CancerCare Manitoba,” said Sylvia. “They are all like family to me now. I wanted to honour the great care I have received and the many great friends I have made with a gift in my will. Gord and I felt good knowing that our gift to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation is invested here in Manitoba.”

If you would like information about including a gift in your will, or how to include a gift, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Monique Gauthier
Development Manager
mgauthier8@cancercare.mb.ca
204-927-5433