Philanthropy has always been important to Julie Noble, a value instilled in her by her parents. “Both my mom and dad were very big supporters of hospitals they received care from,” explained Julie. “They always just wanted to do what they could."
One of the hospitals Julie’s parents donated to was Lakeridge Health. After her parents both received care at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC), she felt it was important to continue that support.
Julie’s mother, Linda, was diagnosed with aggressive uterine cancer in 2019. She recalls the quick action Lakeridge Health’s Gynecologic Oncologist, Dr. Julie Francis, took for her mother’s treatment plan.
"She was amazing,” Julie said about Dr. Francis. “She was right on top of this when my mom was diagnosed and had a plan right from the very beginning of what needed to be done, including treatment options."
Linda received a total hysterectomy at Kingston General Hospital, a procedure performed by Dr. Francis. That was followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the DRCC.
“The nurses and all the staff at Lakeridge Health were amazing,” remembered Julie.
Burton, Julie’s father, also relied on the team in the DRCC for care after multiple cancer diagnoses. Many of his treatments were conducted outside Durham Region, but after a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he began receiving intense radiation treatments at Lakeridge Health.
“When he went in for treatment at the DRCC, it was like you couldn't ask for better care from everyone there,” said Julie.
When her mother passed in early 2020, Julie was inspired by the care she received at Lakeridge Health. Building off the charitable mindset her parents helped nurture, Julie created a personal donation page on the Lakeridge Health Foundation’s website.
She began with a goal of raising $200.
“I just wanted to get that going,” she said. “Not only because my mom received excellent care at the hospital, but because it meant a lot to both my mom and dad to donate – and just help.
When COVID made it difficult to gather and exchange gifts the following Christmas, Julie used her page as a way for her family and friends to support an important cause and honour her mother’s memory.
When Burton passed in 2023, Julie increased her fundraising goal to $5,000 and has since exceeded that.
“Even though they went through so much with their cancer diagnoses and treatments, they were still very positive,” recalled Julie. “They still had a good outlook throughout their journeys and continued to support however they could.
”Donating was very important to my parents,” Julie concluded. “I'm proud to carry on that legacy for sure.”
If you would like to start your own personal fundraiser for Lakeridge Health, you can get started online now or contact Helen Knelsen for details (hknelsen@lh.ca).
