Pictured: Irma and Jim MacDonald at their 50th wedding anniversary. In memory of her late husband, Irma became a QEII Change Maker in 2021, joining a community of QEII Foundation monthly donors supporting health care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Each month, her donation offers extra support to QEII families and patients facing a cancer journey.
After her late husband’s difficult journey with cancer, Irma, a resident of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, honours his memory with a monthly gift to the QEII Foundation. This heartfelt gesture is a way she shows appreciation for the exceptional care they have both received at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
With her recurring monthly gift, Irma is part of our QEII Change Makers. Together, this community of donors makes an incredible difference for QEII patients and families through monthly support.
Irma’s journey with her late husband, Jim, began when they met in Churchill, Manitoba, leading to a 56 year-long marriage filled with adventures, travel, and the joys and comfort of family.
Jim’s career in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller took the couple throughout various postings across Canada. His Nova Scotian roots drew them back to Martock, N.S., where they spent 20 years in a beautiful home surrounded by sprawling gardens and fruit trees.
“Once a Nova Scotian, always a Nova Scotian – like Jim,” says Irma.
Irma finds joy in the fact that all five of her children – four daughters and one son – have also chosen to make Nova Scotia their home. She’s had the pleasure of watching her family grow, and treasures the moments spent with her nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Pictured: Irma with two of her great-grandsons
The essential support from her family she and Jim received during their most difficult health struggles has been incredibly important to her.
When Jim received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the couple had to travel from their home in Martock to the QEII in Halifax for treatment. When Irma developed heart complications, they decided to move to Dartmouth to be closer to care.
It’s been an extra relief that Irma and Jim’s children all live in the Halifax area.
“Our children do all of the driving for appointments in the city, even to this day,” says Irma. “We have an online family group chat to coordinate appointment times.”
As time passed, Irma also faced cancer, and had a small melanoma removed.
“After that, I was cancer free, and required no other treatments,” she says.
Throughout their health challenges, the compassionate care provided by QEII staff left a lasting impression on Irma and Jim.
“We were always treated with the utmost care and kindness,” says Irma.
Though Jim conquered prostate cancer, he unfortunately developed esophageal cancer a few years later. He underwent radiation treatment and other interventions but sadly passed away in 2014.
“There are no words,” Irma says, thinking of her husband’s passing. “The support of my family was so important to me during that time.”
When choosing where to designate her QEII Foundation monthly gifts, Irma recalled how important family support has been to her during difficult times. She wanted other QEII patients and families to feel supported, too.
Each month, her donation goes towards QEII cancer care – specifically, to enhance patient and family comfort and care through extra resources, supplies, and entertainment.
“I know not everyone is as fortunate as we were,” says Irma. “I hope my gift will help others.”
When a QEII Foundation donor registers as a QEII Change Maker, they join hundreds of others making a difference through monthly giving. Donors can designate recurring monthly donations to their area of choice – something important to many people, like Irma.
Irma also likes the idea of monthly donations – as “they are easy to set up and remember.”
Today, as Irma continues to receive care at the QEII, she remains grateful for the incredible treatment she and Jim received throughout the years. Supported by her loving family, the newest addition being a four-year-old great-grandchild, Irma finds comfort in knowing that her monthly contributions are making a difference in the lives of QEII patients and their families.
“Supporting our local hospital does so much good,” Irma says. “I’m happy to donate towards families and give that support towards where they need it.”
When you become a QEII Change Maker, your recurring monthly donation will go towards where you decide to make an impact. You’ll also join a community of hundreds of other donors improving QEII care – and receive exclusive QEII Change Makers updates!
