Suzanne Fillion

Everyone has special reasons for supporting individual causes. For Suzanne Fillion, her decision to donate to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation as part of her estate planning was based on three words - Dr. David Walde.

Dr. Walde was her oncologist and provided exceptional care, expertise and unfailing compassion while being a big part of her positive experience at the hospital over several years.

Suzanne has been a generous donor to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation since 2004. After receiving and reading through the Building a Bridge to the Future newsletter a year ago, she came to learn the many different ways one could support our local hospital - one of which was through estate planning.

After careful consideration, Suzanne decided to donate her life insurance policy to the Foundation. She realized this would be an incredible way to demonstrate her immense gratitude to her oncologist and the staff of the Cancer Clinic for their care, support and for helping her through her cancer diagnosis as well.

"I wanted to show Dr. Walde how much I appreciated him and the clinic as a whole, including the great nurses and support staff," says Suzanne.

When Suzanne was diagnosed with leukemia in 1995, she was placed in the care of this longtime Sault Ste. Marie doctor - an action that she believes helped save her life.  Within 24 hours of becoming his patient, he was part of her diagnosis, her treatment, and her life wholeheartedly.

"Without him, I would have had to go back and forth to Toronto for appointments and treatment. Things would have been very different," she states.

In 1995, after failed treatments, Suzanne was advised that she would need a bone marrow transplant; Dr. Walde arranged for Suzanne to be placed higher on the transplant list.

"He was an advocate for me and for my health," says Suzanne. "He never gives up on his patients, and I always knew I was in good hands."

Suzanne recalls vividly the phone conversation in October 1995 that would change her life.

"Dr. Walde called to tell me there was a match, and that I would be receiving the transplant. He was very emotional," she says.
Suzanne underwent her bone marrow transplant on February 14, 1996, from a donor especially close to her heart - her younger brother, Jay.

Suzanne conquered leukemia with the help of her exceptional doctor and the caring staff of the Cancer Clinic.
"During my illness, he would call me at any time of day to see how I was doing. If he found out I had to make a trip to the emergency room, he always enquired about what happened and how I was doing," says Suzanne. "He's my hero."
Since 1996, Suzanne's health has had its ups and downs - but there was always been one constant - Dr. Walde. In 2001, when Suzanne contracted a serious fungal lung infection, he was there to help her recuperate.

"I spent 100 days at the hospital on an IV," says Suzanne. "A year later, when the infection recurred, he worked with my pharmacist to get me special oral medication from the United States, so I could move on with my life.

"He continued to be Suzanne's physician until his retirement - even when ailments were not cancer related.

"He never let go of me," says Suzanne. "He was very thorough and always looked at the bigger picture. Even though he was busy, you were never rushed. He always took the time to understand your health needs."

Suzanne will never forget the exceptional care she received from this extraordinary doctor and the staff at the Cancer Clinic.
Her generosity will continue to help both our hospital and the community for years to come. Making a unique donation, such as Suzanne's, is a great way to show your appreciation for someone special - whether that be a physician, nurse or support staff - who has helped you through difficult times.

"I hope others will also consider making a similar donation to the hospital in honour of a special person," says Suzanne. "It is such a great cause because without your health, you have nothing."