Carole Epstein

Carole Epstein was a bold and independent woman who never shied away from a challenge. These qualities propelled her through a varied and successful career as a model, businesswoman, and, most recently, successful author of mystery novels; but, they were never more evident than when she was hospitalized with ovarian cancer. “Carole faced her disease with enormous grace and courage,” recalls her physician, Dr. Christine Legler, an oncologist at the MUHC. “I remember her fierce determination to live her life as fully as she could for as long as she could.”

Epstein lost her battle with cancer in 2004, when she was just 59. Before her death, she made arrangements that demonstrated another of her remarkable qualities: uncommon generosity. In her will, she stipulated that a $2 million fund be created for the purpose of making gifts to causes that were particularly meaningful to her. Appropriately, the first of these gifts was a $50,000 donation to the MUHC Foundation and the Best Care for Life campaign to purchase ten portable chemotherapy pumps for the MUHC’s oncology day centre. These compact devices allow chemotherapy to be delivered to some patients at home, eliminating the long and onerous hospital visits that are characteristic of conventional treatment.

Angela Lipper, a friend of Epstein’s and a board member of the Carole Epstein Foundation, accompanied Epstein to her chemo appointments on numerous occasions and remembers the boredom and frustration of sitting in a hospital room for hours at a time. “How happy Carole would be to know that so many people will now be able to receive treatment in the comfort of their homes,” she says.

Epstein’s caregivers recall that, no matter how sick she was, she took the time to perform small acts of kindness to fellow patients, like offering a sip of juice to someone who was swallowing a foul-tasting medication. Through the foresight and generosity of her gift, Epstein has made sure that even after her death from cancer patients will continue to benefit from her compassion.

The Carole Epstein Foundation recently made a second generous gift to the Best Care for Life campaign: an ultrasound machine to be used in diagnosing ovarian cancer.  >> read more