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Planned giving: leaving a legacy

Fort McMurray was home to John MacDougall for nearly 40 years. He was known as an educator in the community, an active, engaged citizen, and a happy, health and helpful man. In October 2012, his life took an unexpected turn and he faced many challenges after receiving the diagnoses of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 

There were options for treatment in Alberta, but rather than head to Edmonton, John chose to stay in his home community to battle his illness. He felt it was important to remain at home, close to friends and family, during this time. 

John’s sister Veronica says, “John was active in the community and taught at Good Sheppard Elementary school for years. As a teacher, he felt he had been given many opportunities and considered himself to be one of the luckier residents here. He always had great enthusiasm for the City of Fort McMurray. He was healthy. He did not stray from this way of living when life put a burden in front of him. My brother John shouldered it, like many things in his life, by being reasonable and looking at the challenge he faced straight in the eye.”

According to Veronica, John’s siblings were overwhelmed and in disbelief over his diagnosis. John was eventually hospitalized.

“From the outset of his diagnosis, he received the best care possible. Our family appreciated the kindness and care expressed to him throughout his ordeal. We have the utmost respect for Dr. Van Heerde and the rest of the medical staff who took care of him. Everyone was wonderful with him and he recognized some of the nurses who had had taught. Sadly, he passed away only a few weeks after his diagnosis on Nov. 6, 2012, but the medical team made his final few weeks as comfortable as it could have been for him,” says Veronica.

John had a strong faith in his religion and a strong personal sense of obligation to give back to his local community, which he did so in many ways throughout his life. He named the Northern Lights Health Foundation in his will.

Thank you John! Your gift leaves a legacy for health care in our region.
To learn how you can including the Health Foundation in your will, call 780-791-6041.

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