Article originally published in The Chronicle Herald and SaltWire.com. Pictured: Steve Connolly (right) with his wife of 62 years, Marg. The pair, who live in Charlottetown, credit the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax for saving Steve’s life.
‘I just can’t express often enough my gratitude’
There was a time 17 years ago when Steve Connolly didn’t know if he would live to see his young grandchildren grow up and realize their amazing potential.
He had suffered a major heart attack while at home in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
His grandchildren are all young adults now, but even after all these years, Steve has never forgotten the outstanding care he received at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, which he credits with saving his life and that of so many others throughout the region.
“The QEII brings people in from all over Atlantic Canada and they do a fabulous job when people need as much support as they can possibly get,’’ says Steve. “I’m truly a grateful survivor.’’
Thinking back on that November day in 2007, Steve recalls waking up in the middle of the night to a strange sensation in his chest. Once at the QEII, he was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Following several episodes, it was referred to as a “VT storm” and an anticipated three-day hospital stay turned into a five-week stay in the QEII’s Cardiac Care Unit during which time Steve received last rites on three occasions. His condition only improved with the receipt of an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) which acts as both a pacemaker and defibrillator to control life-threatening arrhythmias. Miraculously, Steve hasn’t had a single incident since that time.
“Seventeen years later, I have not been shocked,’’ he enthusiastically shares.
Steve wrote a book in 2013 affectionately titled, They Touched My Heart: A cardio version of a love story, which is “really a card of thanks” that recognizes the medical team who worked so hard to save his life. It also aims to help “people recognize the symptoms of heart disease,’’ adds Steve whose only risk factor at the time was high cholesterol.
Inspired by the “exceptional, lifesaving care” he received at the QEII, Steve has made the QEII Foundation the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Similar to a gift of securities, giving the gift of life insurance allows individuals to directly impact an area of care or research they are passionate about – like heart health, cancer and more – and can also offer significant tax advantages for their future estate.
It's one of many ways that generous donors, like Steve, are supporting the future of health care.
“I just can’t express often enough my gratitude,” says Steve. “While there are certainly criticisms and issues in health care, when you are very sick, you are going to be looked after… if you have a broken heart, you go to the front of the line.’’
Steve and his wife of 62 years, Marg, remain active and are enjoying life to its full with their three adult children and six grandchildren. He continues to be followed by his care teams in Charlottetown and Halifax every six months.
Steve’s cardiologist and electrophysiologist at the QEII, Dr. John Sapp, applauds donors for their support of the QEII Foundation which he says has allowed them to have the complex equipment needed to take the QEII from providing ordinary care to extraordinary care and attract highly skilled physicians.
“The support from the community through the QEII Foundation is absolutely instrumental in our ability to deliver leading-edge care,’’ Dr. Sapp says.
The QEII is more than just Halifax’s hospital; it’s Atlantic Canada’s largest and most specialized adult hospital, leading research centre, and training facility for tomorrow's healthcare professionals. Last year, the QEII had over one million patient visits, including nearly 6,000 visits from Islanders like Steve.
Dr. Sapp describes the generosity of donors like Steve as truly heart-warming for all those working on the frontlines.
“For people who take those difficult circumstances and turn it into something positive that impacts future treatment and care for patients is incredibly inspiring.’’
To learn more about giving a gift of life insurance, gift of securities or to support a QEII care area that is meaningful to you, visit QE2Foundation.ca or call 902 334 1546.