Supporters Like You

Margaret’s involvement with The Princess Margaret runs deep. She’s cycled more than 200km to raise funds for cancer research nine times. She also worked for the Foundation supporting its fundraising efforts. She has also left a Legacy Gift in her will.

“I know firsthand that supporting The Princess Margaret will further cancer research and get us closer to a world without cancer,” says Margaret, who was only 30 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare form of acute leukemia in January 1988.

After a combination of chemotherapy and other drugs proved unsuccessful, Margaret was left with few options.

The Princess Margaret was only performing transplants for patients in remission at the time but Dr. Hans Messner, who pioneered stem cell transplantation at The Princess Margaret, agreed to try the procedure. It was the first time this would ever be done at The Princess Margaret and in the country. With her sister as her donor, Margaret received her transplant later that year in May.

Eighteen days later, she walked out of the isolation room with no traces of cancer left in her body. She didn’t share her story until two decades later, when she took part in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2008. When she reached the finish line, Dr. Messner was there, waiting for her with a big smile on his face.

“It was just an incredible moment to think that 20 years earlier we were in my hospital room. There’s no way we could have imagined this.”

Dr. Messner passed away in July 2018 from bladder cancer and Margaret helped to honour him with a tribute at the 2019 Ride.

Margaret is now writing her memoir to share her story to a wider audience. “I have no idea why I’m still alive, but the least I can do is try to help other people in the same situation. I want to give back and share my story so other people can feel hope.”

Joan, along with another of her sisters, Marilyn, is a committed donor. She met with an estate planner at the Princess Margaret to create her legacy gift. It was a simple process, she says. “A legacy gift is a thoughtful way to support research so that one day we can Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. It’s one way of giving back to society.” Joan also appreciates that leaving a gift to charity can offer significant tax benefits that can reduce or possible eliminate the tax owing on your estate. “I want to have everything in order so 100 per cent of my assets will go to charity,” she says. 

Marilyn is equally committed. “As research continues at The Princess Margaret, there is a human life that will always benefit from the donations received,” Marilyn says. 

Paul’s oncologist, Dr. John Trachtenberg, suggested he consider participating in a photodynamic therapy (PDT) study. PDT uses a light-sensitive drug that is activated by ultraviolet rays. The energy is transferred via laser to the targeted tissue, destroying cancer cells. While the initial procedure went well, Paul required a repeat PDT procedure two years later. This time, recovery proved difficult and a new treatment was needed. He began hormone therapy.

“It’s been a rough trip but with all the support I’ve had, I’m coming out of it,” says Paul who looks at his prostate cancer as a manageable condition. He’s learned to appreciate every day. “I literally stop on the street to smell the roses,” he says. “I don’t focus on the negative.”

As a monthly donor to the Foundation for over 12 years, Paul has also left a gift to The Princess Margaret in his Will. “I’ve seen treatments improve over the years,” says Paul. “People are living longer than they were 30 years ago.” Paul retired in 2007 after 39 years as a flight attendant but travel remains his passion. He doesn’t intend to let cancer ground him from seeing the world.