You would never guess that Brian Wilson had spent a good part of the last 40 years in and out of hospital. But Brian has had heart surgery three times, and a remarkable 28 stents in his heart.
“I succumbed to heart disease when I was fairly young. And no-one would have guessed it. I was a squash player and a skier. I played squash with my family doctor!”
In the 1980s, there was no treatment available in Sault Ste. Marie for heart disease. Early intervention was a brand new concept – so much so that Brian was featured in a skiing magazine, to give his view on staying active after heart surgery. Brian chuckles fondly when remembering his cardiologist’s reaction when he returned to the sports he loved.
“Dr. Mathew told me off after he heard I had been playing squash a few weeks after surgery, ‘Don’t you dare die on the squash court!’” He laughs, “but at least I hadn’t cycled the 30 miles to visit him!”
Brian jokes his way through many of his stories, but his tone becomes serious when talking about the doctors and medical procedures that saved his life. He feels so grateful to have benefited from the partnerships between Northern Ontario hospitals, but admitted that traveling to different hospitals to receive care was hard on his family. “Once, my poor wife had to drive me home from Trillium [Health Partners in Mississauga] through a snowstorm – the day before Christmas.”
Your gifts are helping Brian get more cardiac care locally. Thanks to your generous contributions, today it is a much different story for Brian. Having seen the changes in care over the last 40 years, Brian knows first-hand the difference your gifts have made.
“It is easy to take things for granted, such as diagnostic imaging, interventional tools, or catheters right on your doorstep. But it truly is amazing.”
Since opening the doors of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in August of 2018, Sault Area Hospital has performed over 1,200 PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) procedures. PCI helps to open blocked blood vessels in the heart, saving the lives of patients with heart disease. Before 2018, patients had to wait for up to 24 hours before being sent away to receive treatment at other hospitals. Now, this care is possible at Sault Area Hospital.
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab, and all of its life-saving equipment, would simply not exist if not for your generous donations. On behalf of Brian and his family, thank you for making this incredible local care possible!
Brian says “thank you” to all of those who have supported his fight against heart disease with a monthly donation. In doing so, he is helping to provide life-saving technology and equipment for those who need care at Sault Area Hospital in years to come.
“You have a chance to influence healthcare and people’s lives with even a small donation. So don’t hesitate to make it and make someone’s life a lot better.”
Help patients receive outstanding care with a donation to SAHF
