Making an impact in her community - Lakeridge Health Foundation

It started as a simple submission to a company contest. Jennifer Volkmann nominated her charity of choice in hopes that her employer, Northbridge Financial Corporation, would donate $5,000 to Our Cancer Campaign.

“I’m lucky to work for a company that really cares about the things that are important to the people who work there,” said Jennifer, a patient at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre.

The Northbridge contest was open to all employees through their many offices located across Canada. Coworkers then voted on a winner within their office and the corporation donated $5,000 to each of charities selected.

Jennifer’s submission included:

I am inspired to help the Lakeridge Health Foundation’s Our Cancer Campaign find its greatness because over the past 18 months I have seen firsthand the miracles that are performed by the devoted doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and support staff at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre…The dedication and kindness shown to me during my treatments gave me courage and hope, and confidence knowing that top notch care and support were there for me, right in my community.

She was thrilled to know that her peers at Northbridge were inspired by her story and her submission won the contest. Jennifer visited Lakeridge Health Foundation in August to present the $5,000 cheque on behalf of her company.

The visit comes over two years after her initial diagnosis. Jennifer was treated for bilateral breast cancer with radiation treatments through most of 2021 and finished chemotherapy treatments in 2022.

She was surprised to know such a renowned Cancer Centre was right in her community. Jennifer was very impressed by the quality of care she received and the support from staff during her treatments.

“We don't have to go far from home for treatment,” Jennifer said. “We can get top notch care right here in our community.”

Jennifer’s husband was able to make the short drive from Ajax to drop her off and pick her up without waiting in the car through hours of treatment.

“My sister, husband, children, and friends all wanted to help out,” Jennifer explained. “Everyone wants to do what they can, but it was so hard for that to happen during COVID.” Luckily, Jennifer’s care team and the support staff in the cancer care were there for her when her family and friends couldn’t.

“I was there by myself and these people were my partners during treatment,” she said. “They were just so helpful when I was feeling so alone.”

From the support worker that would bring refreshments and blankets, to the nurses administering the treatments, and her two primary physicians Dr. Chang, Oncologist, and Dr. El-Mallah, Radiation Oncologist, Jennifer was always comfortable at the Cancer Centre.

“They're both such large personalities with positive attitudes,” Jennifer said about her oncologists. “I always felt I was in more than capable hands.”

“Today, I am considered cancer free,” Jennifer happily explained. “I feel so fortunate that the system works, that things get detected and taken care of quickly, but ultimately that there is such great care, so close to my home.”

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