Gift from Carole Epstein Foundation

The McGill University Health Centre’s Women’s Pavilion was recently the site of a special luncheon at which board members of the Carole Epstein Foundation, MUHC community members, staff, volunteers, and friends and family of Carole Epstein all came together to celebrate a vital gift to the Women’s Health Mission of the MUHC through the Best Care for Life campaign.

A beloved and dynamic member of the Montreal community, Carole Epstein lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2004 but made sure that she would continue to fight this deadly disease by establishing her Foundation. Its first gift to the MUHC was a generous donation of $50,000 for chemotherapy pumps (you can read more about this gift here). The second gift, celebrated at this special luncheon, was a donation of $75,000 for an ultrasound machine for Gynaecological Oncology.

Pierrette Wong, Co-chair of the Women’s Health segment of the Best Care for Life campaign, gave warm words of welcome and expressed her deep gratitude for the CEF’s gift of an “absolutely essential piece of equipment.” Dr. SL Tan, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynaecology went on to explain the importance of the Women’s Health Mission of the MUHC and spoke of the seriousness of ovarian cancer, for which early diagnosis is essential. Amplifying this message was Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Chief of the Division of Gynaecological Oncology, who explained that, “four months is the standard waiting time for an ultrasound test. But four months is an eternity when you’re waiting for a cancer diagnosis. With the new arrival of the ultrasound machine donated by the Carole Epstein Foundation, a minimum of 20 women per week will be diagnosed four months earlier… and that is a miracle.” And Mr. Normand Rinfret, COO of the MUHC, wrapped up the luncheon with a warm thanks to the Carole Epstein Foundation for their generous gift of excellent equipment which will help our hospital retain and attract excellent staff.

Putting these encouraging words of thanks into perspective was Gwen Vineberg, a member of the board of the Carole Epstein Foundation, an active volunteer at the MUHC in Gynaecological Oncology, and herself a survivor of ovarian cancer. Mrs Vineberg spoke of Carole Epstein’s extraordinary life and legacy, describing this “very sensitive woman who understood well the pain and suffering of others.” A full transcript of her speech is available here.

Following the luncheon, a plaque commemorating this second gift from the Carole Epstein Foundation to the Best Care for Life campaign was installed in the Gynaecological Oncology waiting room on the ninth floor of the Women’s Pavilion at the Royal Victoria Hospital Site. A small plaque was also attached to the laptop of the ultrasound machine itself, ensuring that Carole Epstein’s generosity continues to shine at the MUHC. photo gallery