Healthbeat – How will you celebrate your big day? Nikki & Jason’s story

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[captionpix imgsrc=”http://netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/nikkiandJason.jpg” captiontext=”Jason and Nikki are making a gift in lieu of favours in honour of their families as part of their wedding celebration. Their gift in lieu of favours improves cancer care for all of us in Northwestern Ontario. (credit: Izabela Pioro Photography)” width=”620″ height=”415″]

THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – It’s easy to get excited about planning a wedding.  But have you thought about the long-term impact your special day can have on healthcare for you, your friends and family?

After nine years together, Nikki and Jason are thrilled to be tying the knot. “We met on the Labour Day weekend.  It was easy to choose that same weekend in 2012 for our wedding day,” said Nikki. 

Nikki and Jason’s love story is rooted in our community.  Both are nurses here at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Because they love their job and have both been touched by the Centre’s care, Nikki and Jason are making a gift to the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation in lieu of favours for their wedding.

“Working with the Foundation has been easy,” said Nikki.  “They printed personalized cards for us to put on the table at our wedding so that our guests know we’re honouring our family as part of our big day.”

“We chose the Northern Cancer Fund because our families have both been affected,” said Nikki.  “Our parents have been patients here – my Dad is in active treatment for Leukemia and Jason’s parents were treated here.”  “It’s nice that we’re able to honour special people in our lives this way at our wedding” said Jason.  “Family is so important.”

The couple has a unique perspective on supporting care at the Health Sciences Centre.  Both are nurses at the Centre – Nikki on 3B and Jason on Adult Mental Health.  Locally educated, they love Northwestern Ontario and the opportunities it has to offer. “It was important to us that our donation stay local,” said Nikki.

Their journey to the Health Sciences Centre began with education at Confederation College and Lakehead University.  Jason had a keen interest in mental health and paediatrics while Nikki was intrigued by surgery.  “We liked being able to explore, choose and find work in our specialties,” said Jason.  “And we’ve made life-long friends at the Health Sciences Centre that make going to work enjoyable,” adds Nikki.  Both smile and remark that it’s nice to be close to family and friends. “So many of our friends had to leave for school or work – we’re lucky to be at home,” says Nikki.

The Northern Cancer Fund of the Health Sciences Foundation plays a big role in the outstanding care offered at the Regional Cancer Centre.  From Linear Accelerators to new chemotherapy chairs, donors have generously made it possible.  Because of gifts like Jason & Nikki’s, ours is one of the highest ranked cancer centres in Ontario.

 “It’s encouraging to see young, successful couples making a gift like this,” says Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.  “Their generosity will touch the 1 in 2 people who will face cancer in their lifetime.  Improving the quality of care offered makes each individual’s journey that much easier.”

Want more information on how you can make an impact on healthcare as part of your special day?  From ‘kiss tolls’ to donations in lieu of favours and gifts, our staff are ready to help. Please call (807) 345-4673.

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