Thanks in the name of a loved one

"It's all about giving back," says Anne Nachshen of the Samuel Nachshen Memorial Fund for Hematology Research she set up seven years ago. In May 2000, Anne's husband Sam lost his battle with leukemia at the Jewish General Hospital. "From day one, the hospital took excellent care of him," says Anne. In fact, the family was so impressed with the care he received that upon his passing they set up a memorial fund with the JGH Foundation To say thanks in Sam's name and to keep his memory alive.

Anne, her children and her family donate to the fund at various times. "Every year I ask the JGH Foundation for a wish list from the Division of Hematology," she says. "Then I choose something and buy it with the money raised. If I have to, I top up the fund." Many new items have been purchased, including a new filing system, freezer, blankets, and most recently new audiovisual equipment for the Segal Cancer Centre Conference Room. "The day we went to see the new equipment I saw students using it for case studies," says Anne. "It is so satisfying to see something tangible purchased with the donations."

Anne and her family plan to continue "to give back." And the Division of Hematology continues to be thankful for their generosity.