For the love of family
Doug Webber has been donating to St. Joseph's Breast Care Program for decades in memory of his wife Myrra and for the love of his daughters, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
Myrra Webber was diagnosed with cancer when she was 33 years old. With two little girls, one of whom was diagnosed with leukemia two years later – it was an incredibly difficult time for the Webbers. And despite receiving outstanding health care, having a mastectomy and radiation treatment Myrra’s cancer advanced. Sadly, she died five years later.
Devastated by her loss, Doug has been committed to supporting St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program and stressing the importance of breast care and health ever since. His most recent gift is supporting a $5 million fundraising effort to purchase game-changing imaging equipment for the Breast Care Program.
“I have two daughters, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter,” says Doug. “Because of what my family has gone through, breast care and breast health are very important. It’s why I donate.”
St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program has a world-class team of care providers who support breast imaging, diagnosis, and surgical procedures for more than 24,000 patients from across Southwestern Ontario each year.
Thanks to donors, like Doug, the construction of the physical space for the Program was funded. Donors have also helped purchase essential imaging equipment such as mammography and ultrasound machines. And they have supported innovative research. All of their generosity has led to more accurate detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Myrra and Doug’s daughter Kareen, who is now 46, is at very high risk for brain and fibroid cancer due to her family history and her own childhood cancer. She has already had a cancer scare and a lumpectomy, which fortunately proved negative.
Prevention is now a mainstay in Kareen’s life and she is part of St. Joseph’s After Care Program having regular check-ups to identify any cancer cells or changes. “This After Care Program is amazing because without the annual MRI, I wouldn’t have known about the tumour in my head, which was zapped with radiation,” she adds there are five more tumours that are checked semi-annually.
For Doug, the Breast Care After Care Program is a reassuring gift because he feels nervous whenever Kareen is sick, even with a common cold. Joining Kareen for her appointments, Doug has been blown away by the level of care provided.
Heather Medaglia, Coordinator of the Breast Care Program says that the care team leads with compassion.
“We understand when patients and family members visit us, they may be nervous or anxious and we treat them like they are members of our own family,” says Heather. “It is important for patients to feel at ease and to trust that we will provide the best care possible. This extends to our commitment to having the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment equipment available.”