‘Community Lives Here’: Sandy Ward’s care at NHH didn’t end when treatment did
By Independent columnist Jennifer Gilmer
At the hospital foundation, we often talk about the impact community support has on patient care.
But the true measure of that impact is found in the lives and stories of the people behind it.
I am frequently reminded that healthcare is about more than treatments and technology. It is about lives changed. Sandy Ward’s story is a powerful example.
As a more than 20-year breast cancer survivor, and a dedicated member of Survivor Thrivers, she has faced challenges with courage and come through them with a renewed appreciation for life. I am honoured she trusted me to help share her story.
Ward was born and has lived most of her life in Port Hope. She was a registered nurse and worked the majority of her career at Northumberland Hills Hospital until her retirement 10 years ago. Her friends would describe her as someone who doesn’t sweat the small stuff, who is helpful, funny and empathetic, and someone who has appreciation for the life she is living.
From her perspective, much of that attitude can be credited as a silver lining to having gone through breast cancer. She changed through the experience – became more outgoing, left her shell behind, and emerged stronger.
In the early days after diagnosis, there were many tears and moments of uncertainty.
“I didn’t think I was going to survive to see my daughters graduate high school,” she recalled. “Now, I’ve seen so much, including university graduations, marriages, and them becoming mothers themselves. I’m lucky to have five grandkids who I now get to watch grow up as well.”
She went through much of her journey on her own and was determined to keep things as normal as possible for her girls, who were just ages 14 and 12 at the time of her diagnosis. This solo approach is not something she would recommend to others and is part of why she co-founded the Northumberland breast cancer support group in 2007, which is facilitated by members of the Survivor Thrivers.
It fills her heart to know her experience can help others on their breast cancer journey, and she is pleased to see how much local healthcare and access has evolved since her treatment. She’s seen the growth of our hospital firsthand, as a patient, a staff member, and now as a volunteer with the NHH Auxiliary.
“The team at NHH goes above and beyond and that support can make such a difference during a care journey,” she shared. “Having state-of-the-art equipment so close to home is amazing and is a worthwhile investment for anyone who is able to donate. Health is wealth.”
The care Ward received at NHH didn’t end when her treatment did. It gave her a foundation to heal, grow and embrace a future she once wasn’t sure she would have.
Ward will be share more of her story of survivorship publicly at our Oct. 7 event entitled “Stronger Together: Stay ABreast,” co-hosted with the Survivor Thrivers. Residents can learn more about this event and the difference community support makes at NHHFoundation.ca.
Jennifer Gilmer is the director of communications and engagement for the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation.
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