Fearless Spirit, Lasting Legacy

Whether you had known her for five minutes or five years, everyone said the same things about Sandra Jack.

She was compassionate, brave, thoughtful, hilarious and fearless. And in a final act of extraordinary generosity, Sandra ensured that those qualities would continue to shape the future of care in our community through a remarkable $500,000 legacy gift to Lakeridge Health Foundation.

“She was the type of person you wanted to sit and talk to,” remembers Maggie Abbott, a former nurse in the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC). “Her personality was infectious.”

Sandra was a lifelong educator and a passionate advocate for her community in Lindsay and Kawartha Lakes. Health care was especially close to her heart, and the Ross Memorial Hospital was very special to her.

In 2017, Sandra was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey would bring her to Lakeridge Health and the DRCC, where she met Oncologist Dr. Leta Forbes.

“She was a special person,” remembers Dr. Forbes with a smile. “We hit it off right away."

Sandra was rarely deterred throughout her care journey. When she met with Dr. Forbes, laughter would echo from the room, as she always found a new way to keep her on her toes. Then one day, Sandra took that approach to new heights.

As the fifth anniversary of her cancer diagnosis approached in 2021, Sandra wasn’t focused on the fact that she was still undergoing treatment. Instead, she wanted to find a way to celebrate how far she had come, without letting her diagnosis define her and give back to the hospital and staff who had supported her. Sandra decided that the best way to celebrate was to climb 116 storeys up the CN Tower to take on the EdgeWalk with Dr. Forbes and her best friend, Krista Tabur, in tow.

“Honestly, who takes their Oncologist to the CN Tower?” recalls Dr. Forbes. “I laughed when she first suggested it. I didn’t think she was serious. I kept thinking ‘there’s no way you’re going to convince me to go up there.’ Then, all of a sudden, we’re getting ready to walk out.”

Like most days, Sandra was all smiles that July day as she looked out over the Toronto skyline. Together, the trio was also able to raise over $15,000 in support of cancer care.

Sandra’s cancer journey would continue with both challenges and triumphs. By the of summer 2022, she had every intention of climbing to the top of the Tower again, this time with an even larger team from DRCC. But as the date approached, her cancer and treatments became more complex.

Sandra sadly passed away just one month before the event.

Determined to honour her memory, the EdgeWalk went ahead with Maggie, Kolter Bouchard, Dr. Gursimran Chandhoke and Andrew and Diana Witvoet. Their combined efforts helped bring the two-year total of the Sandra Jack EdgeWalk to more than $30,000.

That Fall, Sandra was recognized as the Community Champion at the annual Giving Tuesday Awards, an honour celebrating individuals who embody the spirit of philanthropy and is an advocate for health care in Durham Region.

“She had a light about her that would ignite everyone around her,” remembers Maggie.

“I think most of all, she will be remembered for her big heart and constant outreach to others,” shared Steve Stewart, Sandra’s cousin, during her eulogy in 2022. “A big part of her life was devoted to giving back through volunteerism and other civic duties. She was not driven by ego or attention seeking, just a strong desire to help out and give back. She remained optimistic right to the end.”

That spirit of generosity did not end with her passing.

In 2026, Lakeridge Health Foundation learned that Sandra had made an extraordinary $500,000 legacy gift through her Will to support cancer care at Lakeridge Health, ensuring that future patients and families will benefit from the same compassionate, high-quality care she received.

“Sandra’s support is incredibly meaningful and very touching,” says Dr. Forbes. “Her gift is going to have an incredible impact on cancer care at our Hospital and will benefit so many people.”

Giving back was never something Sandra did for recognition, it was simply who she was. Now, her legacy will live on and her compassion will continue to be felt for generations to come.

Creating your own legacy is easier than you think. To learn more contact Adrienne Burns at 905-576-8711 ext. 32784 or visit www.MyLakeridgeLegacy.com.