Home for the Holidays - Lakeridge Health Foundation

Rebecca was 25 years old and only a few months into starting a new job when she found out she had cancer. As the newest employee at Whitby Oshawa Honda, Rebecca was undoubtedly nervous to tell her new supervisor she needed to take time off.

“When I admitted I needed time away because of my cancer diagnosis they immediately said ‘you shouldn’t be asking for permission, just take it’ and that felt so comforting,” Rebecca reflects. “The dealership has been so supportive of me during this whole journey. My workplace was my rock when everyone in my family was an emotional wreck.”

Rebecca was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and had a portion of her thyroid removed in March 2018 and the remainder one year later, once again over the holidays in 2019. “I found out just a few weeks ago that I’m all clear. It was so emotional. I got to call my mom and let her know we would be together over Christmas and there won’t be any hospital visits. For the first time in a few years I’m spending the holidays happy and healthy.”

Rebecca’s cancer journey was largely part of what inspired the Whitby Oshawa Honda Community Outreach Team to choose Lakeridge Health Foundation and Our Cancer Campaign as the beneficiary of their recent $120,000 gift.

For some cancer patients like Rebecca, much of their care happens outside the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre in other areas of Lakeridge Health. For instance, Rebecca’s scans and radioactive iodine treatment occurred in the Diagnostic Imaging department. That’s why is was so fitting for the Whitby Oshawa Honda donation to be directed toward the Diagnostic and Medical Imaging priorities of Our Cancer Campaign. Through this generous donation, patients will experience advanced and innovative technology during their care.

“The doctors at Lakeridge Health are the best. If I meet someone who has been diagnosed I always give them peace of mind that they are in the best hands.”

While Rebecca spends much-needed time over the holidays with family, her company’s major gift to Our Cancer Campaign will ensure more patients like her have access the very best cancer care available.

To learn more about Our Cancer Campaign, visit www.ourcancer.ca.