As many of you know my Dad passed away in June after a very sudden diagnosis of Leukemia in December of 2022. That December my parents were supposed to drive down from Vernon to spend Christmas with me in Langley. Instead, on December 20th, after collapsing while shoveling the driveway, my Dad was emergency air lifted to Vancouver General Hospital where he started his battel with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I saw first hand how important the support for patients and their families are, and the need for more treatments that save lives. The LLSC supports those affected with subsidized travel and housing, and funds research for a cure. My parents had just entered retirement, lived in Vernon, and as VGH is the only treatment facility for BC, they found the financial support very helpful in taking some of the stress away from an incredibly devastating situation.
My decision to join the Visionaries of the Year Campaign stems from a deep-seated desire to honor my late father's legacy. He was all about strength of character, and just into his retirement, was engaging more of his time giving back in the community and was really grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact, qualities I strive to embody. His battle with Leukemia, still hits hard. But through the pain, I've learned to lean into great mental health strategies like giving back, and finding comfort in community.
Getting involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is my way of coping with his loss while also helping others dealing with this awful disease. With a background in genetics, I never imagined I'd be personally affected by the very illness I once helped diagnose in the lab. That's why I've set a fundraising goal of $200,000 — to support research for new treatments that could give families more time together. It's about making sure more people get to experience life's milestones and moments that are all too easily taken for granted.