A boy with a big heart

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Youngest Donor

For his 5th birthday, James asked for money instead of gifts. He wasn’t saving for the latest and greatest toy; instead James wanted to do something special in memory of his great grandfather “Papa”, who died from pancreatic cancer when James was three. “I want to give the money to help doctors (find a cure),” explained James to his mom and dad.

So with $5 of his own money, plus the money collected from friends and family, James donated $220 to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in Papa’s memory. “So people don’t get sick like Papa did,” says James.

James’ parents Samantha and Stephen, and his grandmother Leanna – a clinical nurse educator at VGH – are very proud of him and his surprise for great grandmother “Nan”, who was married to Papa for 50 years.

In December, James and his family dedicated an angel in Papa’s memory and hung it on a tree in the winter wonderland at VGH, part of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s holiday Angel Campaign.

“Pancreatic cancer is an often silent cancer,” said Leanna. “Most patients, like my dad, don’t know that they are sick until it is much too late.  My mom and dad had been on an extended vacation to celebrate their 50^th Wedding anniversary, spending 2 weeks in Australia and then 5 weeks cruising around New Zealand and the South Pacific before arriving home. The diagnosis of terminal cancer came a mere 7 weeks later and he was gone only 8 weeks after that.  My dad had exceptional care at VGH but his treatment was only ever supportive, not in fighting it.”

James’ donation to the Pancreas Centre BC will help provide hope to other patients by improving early detection screening and treatment options.

James is the Foundation’s youngest donor and staff are touched by his generous heart. Thank you James!

To read more inspirational donor stories like James’, please visit vghfoundation.ca/stories