John’s Story: “We all need to support our hospitals. When you decide to take action now, it allows people like me the chance to survive”
On a Thanksgiving Sunday in 2016, John and Marg never anticipated urgently rushing to the Emergency Department instead of enjoying a holiday meal with friends.
As the retired couple went about their morning routine, John decided to clean the windows on the roof of their home in Oak Bay. Before he realized something was wrong, John was falling off the roof and into their yard below onto large rocks placed to deter deer from the garden.
“I have no idea how I fell, but I first recognized something was wrong was when I saw myself through the reflection of the TV room window,” recalls John.
John and Marg, who recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary, worked and lived in several cities across Canada before finally settling in Victoria. They have enjoyed a successful and unique life filled with different business development and financial research opportunities.
Soon after his fall, Marg found John in the garden and immediately called 911. Having struck his head open on the rocks below, John would not have survived without the immediate help of the Oak Bay Fire Department, who resuscitated him with three to four minutes to live.
After rushing to Victoria General Hospital, Vancouver Island’s trauma referral centre, John underwent seven hours of surgery on his head and legs. Finally, he stabilized in the intensive care unit. In one leg alone, he had 52 sutures. Following more surgeries and several weeks spent in the neurological ward, the couple soon realized that, at the age of 75, John would have to rebuild how he lives and functions.
After months of recovery and relearning how to walk, John started to gain his life back. “John had a great attitude to get better – whenever he’s told he can’t do this or that, he’s set on proving you wrong,” says Marg.
During John and Marg’s working lives and in retirement, they spent much attention, discipline, and effort on financial conservation and growth. They made diligent plans to provide for their children, as well as their extended family.
As they sat down to prepare their estate plans, their desire to care not only for their family, but also for local emergency and trauma services, became increasingly clear. They were driven by one thought: “Our hospitals need to be here.” Because truthfully if they weren’t, John wouldn’t be with us today.
“This experience made us realize that hospitals have to survive, expand, and do what they do best. It’s nice that you can support them through your will,” says John.
Not only have the couple personally thanked the caregivers who have helped John, but they have also made the generous decision to make a gift in their will to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Our local hospitals rely on the generosity of thoughtful donors who provide our dedicated care teams with the vital equipment they need to save lives, every day.
“I would adamantly suggest that anyone do what we did to support our hospitals. When you decide to take action now, it allows people like me the chance to survive,” stated John.
Just like John and Marg, you can support our local hospitals with a gift in your will. Your decision to include the Victoria Hospitals Foundation as a beneficiary makes a lasting impact on the care provided on Vancouver Island.
No great wealth is required to give, just the willingness to plan. Your decision ensures that you, your loved ones, and your community will benefit from life-saving hospital care, for generations to come.
Learn more today: victoriahf.ca/will-and-estates or 250-519-1750