Unconditional Giving
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Niagara Health Foundation donor Brian Walker has supported our local hospitals for over 30 years. Supporting his community is something that has been instilled in Brian since he was a little boy growing up in Sudbury along the Trans-Canada Highway.
“My dad would often take in hitchhikers who would just show up at the door. He would invite them in and make them a sandwich – no questions asked. That is when I first witnessed unconditional giving, and it has stuck with me forever.”
Inspired by his dad, Brian supports many local charities and thinks that it is important for people to know that hospital equipment is not funded by the government.
“Our Niagara hospitals depend on local fundraising. You may not need the hospital now but from my own experience, I can tell you that you never know what’s going to happen in your life.”
He first started donating to the Niagara Health Foundation in gratitude for the good care he himself and his loved ones have received over the years. More recently, however, supporting local healthcare has taken on a new meaning for Brian.
“Two years ago, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” he explains. Brian had not had any symptoms and was grateful that a routine blood test ordered by his family doctor flagged an abnormality.
“My blood cell count was low, so my family doctor ordered an additional test. As it turns out, his diligence saved my life.”
After initial consultations in Hamilton, Brian was offered the opportunity to receive care at the Walker Family Cancer Centre instead. “I didn’t have to think twice about it,” he laughs. “It’s a 20-minute drive from my home!”
Niagara Health gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Yelamanchili had thoroughly studied Brian’s case before he first met her.
“I was so impressed. The surgeon in Hamilton had suggested removing my stomach and that did not sound like a very good option. When I met Dr. Yelamanchili and she said she might have an alternative to surgery, I was so relieved. She is a brilliant physician.”
Although Brian knew he was in good hands, his initial reaction to his diagnosis was panic.
“At first, I could barely sleep at night. I would start planning things I would have to get done, like selling my house, and it would keep me awake.”
But then, his daughter-in-law, who is also a doctor, gave him advice he decided to live by.
“It was five words: One day at a time.”
Dr. Yelamanchili started Brian on both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After my first three treatments, I thought, ‘This is not so bad. There is nothing to this.’” He pauses.
“I shouldn’t have had that thought.”
As Brian struggled with the impact his treatment had on his body, Dr. Yelamanchili continued supporting him and prescribed a medication that helped him manage the side effects.
“After that, things were much better, and I was able to drive myself to and from my appointments.”
When Brian completed his 52nd and final treatment, he got to ring the gong at the Walker Family Cancer Centre.
“It was on May 7th,” he says. “A day I will never forget.”
At first, he had been hesitant to ring the gong. “Maybe I’m a little superstitious, maybe I am just a realist – but I know that the cancer can come back, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it.”
In the end, Brian was glad that he did.
“It was a really good ceremony, and the staff all gathered around for it. They handed me a card, and it said 4,303. When I asked them what it represented, they told me that this is the number of people who have rung the gong over the years. That made me feel incredibly hopeful. You always hear about the negative outcomes. Knowing that so many people got to ring the gong made me feel good.”
Inspired by the care Brian received, he decided to increase his support of the Niagara Health Foundation.
“I was treated with utter respect at the Walker Family Cancer Centre and was always amazed by the people who work there. I don’t know how they remain so positive.”
Whether he had to come in for a scan or a treatment, he has always been met with kindness and professionalism, Brian says. It also gave him a new appreciation for the equipment that was used for his care.
“Technology is constantly evolving, and the equipment is incredibly expensive and complex. If I had to pay for the treatments I was getting, I would be bankrupt.”
Today, Brian continues to attend check-ups every four months and is grateful to have his health back.
“The care I received at Niagara Health was compassionate and professional, and I am glad that I can give back to the Walker Family Cancer Centre with my donations. They made an incredible difference in my life.”
Unconditional Giving
Niagara Health Foundation donor Brian Walker has supported our local hospitals for over 30 years. Supporting his community is something that has been instilled in Brian since he was a little boy growing up in Sudbury along the Trans-Canada Highway.
“My dad would often take in hitchhikers who would just show up at the door. He would invite them in and make them a sandwich – no questions asked. That is when I first witnessed unconditional giving, and it has stuck with me forever.”
Inspired by his dad, Brian supports many local charities and thinks that it is important for people to know that hospital equipment is not funded by the government.
“Our Niagara hospitals depend on local fundraising. You may not need the hospital now but from my own experience, I can tell you that you never know what’s going to happen in your life.”
He first started donating to the Niagara Health Foundation in gratitude for the good care he himself and his loved ones have received over the years. More recently, however, supporting local healthcare has taken on a new meaning for Brian.
“Two years ago, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” he explains. Brian had not had any symptoms and was grateful that a routine blood test ordered by his family doctor flagged an abnormality.
“My blood cell count was low, so my family doctor ordered an additional test. As it turns out, his diligence saved my life.”
After initial consultations in Hamilton, Brian was offered the opportunity to receive care at the Walker Family Cancer Centre instead. “I didn’t have to think twice about it,” he laughs. “It’s a 20-minute drive from my home!”
Niagara Health gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Yelamanchili had thoroughly studied Brian’s case before he first met her.
“I was so impressed. The surgeon in Hamilton had suggested removing my stomach and that did not sound like a very good option. When I met Dr. Yelamanchili and she said she might have an alternative to surgery, I was so relieved. She is a brilliant physician.”
Although Brian knew he was in good hands, his initial reaction to his diagnosis was panic.
“At first, I could barely sleep at night. I would start planning things I would have to get done, like selling my house, and it would keep me awake.”
But then, his daughter-in-law, who is also a doctor, gave him advice he decided to live by.
“It was five words: One day at a time.”
Dr. Yelamanchili started Brian on both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After my first three treatments, I thought, ‘This is not so bad. There is nothing to this.’” He pauses.
“I shouldn’t have had that thought.”
As Brian struggled with the impact his treatment had on his body, Dr. Yelamanchili continued supporting him and prescribed a medication that helped him manage the side effects.
“After that, things were much better, and I was able to drive myself to and from my appointments.”
When Brian completed his 52nd and final treatment, he got to ring the gong at the Walker Family Cancer Centre.
“It was on May 7th,” he says. “A day I will never forget.”
At first, he had been hesitant to ring the gong. “Maybe I’m a little superstitious, maybe I am just a realist – but I know that the cancer can come back, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it.”
In the end, Brian was glad that he did.
“It was a really good ceremony, and the staff all gathered around for it. They handed me a card, and it said 4,303. When I asked them what it represented, they told me that this is the number of people who have rung the gong over the years. That made me feel incredibly hopeful. You always hear about the negative outcomes. Knowing that so many people got to ring the gong made me feel good.”
Inspired by the care Brian received, he decided to increase his support of the Niagara Health Foundation.
“I was treated with utter respect at the Walker Family Cancer Centre and was always amazed by the people who work there. I don’t know how they remain so positive.”
Whether he had to come in for a scan or a treatment, he has always been met with kindness and professionalism, Brian says. It also gave him a new appreciation for the equipment that was used for his care.
“Technology is constantly evolving, and the equipment is incredibly expensive and complex. If I had to pay for the treatments I was getting, I would be bankrupt.”
Today, Brian continues to attend check-ups every four months and is grateful to have his health back.
“The care I received at Niagara Health was compassionate and professional, and I am glad that I can give back to the Walker Family Cancer Centre with my donations. They made an incredible difference in my life.”
