Honouring Love Through Compassionate Giving

When Burnaby resident Denny opened a Giving Tuesday letter from the Foundation this past December, he didn’t expect it to stir up so many memories and emotions.

Denny and his late wife, Mei, had supported the Foundation before. In her final months, Mei received care in the Palliative Care Unit at Burnaby Hospital. It was there, surrounded by kindness, patience, and deep compassion, that she passed away peacefully in September. The care team didn’t just look after Mei; they cared for Denny too, guiding him gently through each difficult moment and treating them both like family.

As Denny read the letter, one line stood out: the hospital urgently needed a new ultrasound machine.

Instantly, he was taken back to a moment when he watched a physician use an ultrasound to guide Mei’s care, observing the calm and thoughtful attention given to her every step of the way. Without hesitation, Denny knew exactly what he wanted to do.

He put on his coat and walked straight to the Foundation office. He wanted to ensure his gift would help purchase a new ultrasound machine and support the healthcare teams, patients, and families who rely on it every day. For Denny, this wasn’t just a donation—it was a way to honour Mei, give back to the people who had walked beside them, and help future patients and families receive the same compassionate care.

“I want the healthcare team to know,” he shared, “that their work truly matters. What they do is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.”

Denny’s story reminds us that love lives on—in gratitude, in memory, and in the quiet acts of generosity that strengthen care for our entire community.