Category: Creating Tomorrow
Mathieu Chatelain wants to generate attention to the region’s largest fundraising campaign, so he’s decided to run a 100K for $100K to help build the new hospital campus.
Read more about Mathieu’s story here.
When Kris Singhal emigrated from Delhi to Ottawa, he arrived with just two suitcases but carried with him invaluable qualities: integrity, generosity, and commitment.
In 1983, he founded Richcraft, a real estate development company, aiming to build thriving communities. As his family and his business grew, so did his impact on the city.
For decades, both Richcraft and the Singhal family have supported numerous Ottawa charities, focusing on education and healthcare. Giving back is central to their philosophy.
Today, they elevate this commitment by donating $20 million to The Ottawa Hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow. Their donation is one of the largest healthcare gifts in the city’s history.
“Our family supports the hospital because we believe in healthcare’s power to change lives,” says Kris’s daughters, Monica and Angela. “We hope our contribution brings hope and healing to those in our community.”
In recognition of their gift, a building at the new hospital campus on Carling Avenue will be named in their honour.
Kris, his wife Manju, Monica, and Angela are dedicated to helping build this new, state-of-the-art health and research centre in Ottawa, aiming to change lives for those in need. Their support will help ensure that essential care will continue to evolve and save lives for generations.
The Singhal family’s generosity will be part of our city’s history, impacting lives, fostering discoveries, and offering hope for a healthier tomorrow.
Published: November 2025
Published: November 2025
On Giving Tuesday, Tom Moore is TRIPLING all donations — up to a total of $200,000!
For Tom Moore, a retired tech executive and longtime Ottawa resident, giving back to The Ottawa Hospital isn’t just a gesture of generosity. It’s personal.
“There was always hope at The Ottawa Hospital. The facilities and the expertise available are unmatched.”
Tom grew up on a horse ranch near Pembroke, where his family raised American Quarter Horses. “Growing up in a rural area, Ottawa was the closest ‘big’ hospital, where you could get the same care as the city folks,” he says. “There was always hope at The Ottawa Hospital. The facilities and the expertise available are unmatched.”
Tom’s journey has taken him from rodeo arenas to Silicon Valley boardrooms. After studying Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, he spent a decade at Bell-Northern Research and NorTel before launching his own consulting firm. He later led U.S. west-coast operations for Ottawa-based ObjecTime in California and helped found GridIron Networks when he returned to Ottawa.
Since he retired 16 years ago, his commitment to community has only grown stronger, and has seen him support the Ottawa Food Bank, Cornerstone Housing for Women, Hospice Care Ottawa, CHEO, and The Ottawa Hospital.
The hope that Tom saw through the work of the hospital became deeply personal over the years: Tom had his appendix removed at the Civic Campus in 1977. His father was a patient at the Heart Institute. His mother underwent ankle surgery at the General Campus. And in 2019, Tom’s husband and partner of nearly 30 years, Jacques Pelletier, passed away after a brief and devastating battle with pancreatic cancer.
“The most difficult thing I went through was losing my partner,” Tom shares. “He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he died eight weeks after diagnosis.”
These experiences, spanning decades, shaped Tom’s understanding of what compassionate care truly means. And that reflection led to action.
Tom has supported The Ottawa Hospital for years, honouring his parents and honouring Jacques. After Jacques’s passing, he became especially passionate about advancing pancreatic cancer research. He knows how little time this disease gives families and how urgently new treatments are needed. His support of research at The Ottawa Hospital is helping to fuel discoveries that could offer more time, more hope, and better outcomes for others facing this disease.
Now, this Giving Tuesday, Tom has stepped forward with a matching gift and will be tripling donations on December 2, 2025 up to a total of $200,000. He hopes this opportunity will inspire others to support the hospital that has touched his life in profound ways.
“I’ve learned over the last few years, seems the more I give, the more I get.”
“I’ve learned over the last few years, seems the more I give, the more I get,” Tom says. “I enjoy it. It makes me feel great, to be giving back in some small way.”
His Giving Tuesday matching gift is a call to action — a chance for others to join him in supporting The Campaign to Create Tomorrow, which is building a new, state-of-the-art hospital campus and elevating lifesaving research to new heights. “It’s just a matter of time until you or someone in your family needs it, needs that excellence, and that’s when you’ll truly appreciate it.”
For Tom, giving is also about honouring the moments that remind us of what matters most. “In the darkest moments, when you’re in the waiting room at the hospital, when you know someone’s in surgery, that’s when you have a sense that life is short. You realize there’s a greater good, and we have a responsibility to give back if we can.”
To join Tom in supporting The Ottawa Hospital this Giving Tuesday — and to triple your impact through his generosity.
Ottawa Hospital leadership, dignitaries, and honoured guests joined donors for the presentation of this special gift in support of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow. Left to right: Master of Ceremonies, Ametha Anandavimalan, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, Cameron Love, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, MP Yasir Naqvi, High Commissioner of India to Canada, Mr. Dinesh Patnaik, Canadian Minister of Public Safety and MP, Gary Anandasangaree, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Tim Kluke, Dr. Steve Gupta, Mr. Anand Aggarwal, Mr. Kris Singhal (seated), Mr. Pawan Gupta, Mr. Vijay Tejuja, Mr. Prem Bhatia, Dr. Bas Baskaran, Mr. B.G. Arun.
The Sri Sathya Sai Baba Spiritual Centre of Ottawa-Carleton, also known as the Ottawa Sai Centre, is a non-denominational spiritual centre, based on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba of India.
In celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Ottawa Sai Centre is committing $1 million to the hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow in support of advanced patient care, medical research, and innovation at The Ottawa Hospital.
At a special event held on Nov 20th, community leaders, philanthropists, and partners dedicated to strengthening healthcare in Ottawa gathered to celebrate this transformational gift.
“This gift is a powerful reminder of what it means to care with compassion and generosity,” says Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful for this donation and for the spirit of service that inspired it.”
Mr. Anand Aggarwal, President of the Spiritual Centre’s board, shares how this fundraising initiative was inspired by their spiritual leader’s message of “Love all, serve all.”
“Many of us have been moved to give back to our communities,” says Anand. “Dr Steve Gupta of Toronto, a well-known Philanthropist and famous hotelier, emphasized the importance of giving in the Hindu way of life. And Dinesh Patnaik, India High Commissioner, has noted that immigrants from India excel in contributing to the local charities.”
For those who contributed to this $1-million commitment to The Ottawa Hospital’s campaign, there is an understanding that healthcare is critical to any thriving community. In fact, spiritual leader Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized that state-of-the-art healthcare should be accessible to all, and his vision of compassionate, free, and high-quality care continues to inspire service projects around the world and inspire individuals.
“The values of service and compassion inspired this gift,” says Anand. “As well as our desire to help improve the overall well-being of the community — that’s very important to us at the Centre and to the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.”
Philanthropy runs deep in Joan Johnston’s family. In fact, it runs one hundred years deep. Her great-grandfather, Senator Lawrence Wilson, donated part of his property in 1923 to help create a park in the town of Coteau-du-Lac and built libraries and community centres in the region. Her mother, Josette Robertson, lived to 101 and inspired Joan through her lifelong commitment to giving back, particularly in support of healthcare. Today, Joan carries this legacy forward, guided by her own passions: protecting the environment and advancing medical research.
“If ever there were a cause that could benefit all of the residents of Ottawa and beyond, it is the new Ottawa Hospital.”
— Joan Johnston
“The Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation is pleased to contribute $3 million to The Ottawa Hospital’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow,” she says. “If ever there were a cause that could benefit all of the residents of Ottawa and beyond, it is the new Ottawa Hospital.”
It is critical to The Ottawa hospital to create a site that promotes health and healing – for the individual and for the environment. This transformational gift will support the hospital’s design plans for therapeutic gardens and green spaces and a Tiny Forest, alive with birds and butterflies — aspects of the project that are of particular importance to Joan.
“These plantings, the Tiny Forest and green spaces are a contribution not only to the hospital community of patients, staff, and visitors, but also to the environment and community for generations to come,” says Joan.
Joan’s commitment to Tiny Forests spans the city. Through partnerships with Forêt Capitale Forest and EnviroCentre, her foundation has transformed schoolyards and community housing sites into thriving ecosystems that grow rapidly, enrich the soil, and foster biodiversity.
While this gift focuses on the environment, it also aligns with Joan’s longstanding support for regenerative medicine. After her cousin’s son suffered a severe accident at 19, she became a champion of Dr. Eve Tsai, a neurosurgeon at The Ottawa Hospital, and her spinal cord injury research.
“I couldn’t do anything specifically for him,” Joan says, “but I went looking for someone I could support who was doing research in that area. Dr. Tsai is brilliant and compassionate — and I was very happy to provide support for her work.”
For Joan, caring for the environment and supporting medical research come from the same place: a belief in healing and hope.
“It doesn’t matter to me if my name is attached to it,” she says. “What matters is that we create an environment that is sustainable and beautiful and will benefit citizens of the city for years to come. That is my gift to the city.”
With this extraordinary gift, Joan Johnston is helping to create a hospital that is more than a place of treatment — it will be a sanctuary where nature and care come together to restore body, mind, and spirit. And when the time comes to break ground, Joan plans to be there, shovel and all.
“Oh, I’ll be there on my hands and knees with a trowel,” she says. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Published: October 2025
Read time: 3 mins
Published: October 2025
Read time: 3 mins
When Danika Fleury decided to move to Ottawa to kick off her teaching career, it was about having the opportunity to experience a big city. Little did she know, at such an early stage in life, she would need access to a hospital that specializes in complex medical care. From an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis to endometriosis surgery, The Ottawa Hospital was ready when Danika needed answers.
This elementary school teacher at Broadview Public School grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, and made the move to Ottawa in 2014. Since then, she has loved living in Canada’s capital — exploring the green spaces, bike paths, and all the festivals our city has to offer.
At the end of summer in 2021, Danika and her fiancé were planning to elope to British Columbia. Leading up to that time she noticed a lump in her breast seemed to be getting bigger. “I’ve always had lumps in my breasts. So, from time to time I would have an ultrasound, and there was never anything to worry about. But this one lump was bigger than the rest, and seemed to be growing,” explains Danika.
Discovery of a growing lump
Her doctor suggested an ultrasound and she and her fiancé went ahead with their wedding plans and enjoyed a beautiful ceremony. “It was enchanting — like a fairy tale. During that amazing trip, I do remember thinking ‘What if I have cancer?’ Then I thought, ‘I’m young and I’m healthy. This doesn’t happen to young people.’”
Upon her return, and back to the classroom, it was well into the fall when she finally booked the ultrasound. Within hours of that test, Danika received a call about scheduling a biopsy. “Immediately my heart sank.”
“I had been worried, but I really didn’t think it was going to happen. I was only 30 years old. That’s when everything changed.”
By the new year, Danika received the news she never expected to hear, she had breast cancer. It was on the day of her biopsy, our specialized team conducted an ultrasound and discovered a smaller hidden lump which turned out to be cancerous. The initial lump was benign. “I was shocked. I had been worried, but I really didn’t think it was going to happen. I was only 30 years old. That’s when everything changed.”
From there, Danika was referred to The Ottawa Hospital’s Rose Ages Breast Health Centre at the General Campus where she met with surgeon Dr. Lisa Findlay-Shirras.
The good news for Danika was her breast cancer was in an early-stage. But because she was so young, that brought other aspects for the care team to consider.
“She went through genetic testing, which we do for many of our younger patients. Thankfully that was negative,” explains Dr. Findlay-Shirras. “We removed the tumour and she chose to have a mastectomy, to avoid the need for radiation, and then breast reconstruction, which is often the choice for a lot of our younger patients.”
Helping young women navigate through cancer and fertility
Another important factor for young patients is their family planning. “We don’t want a patient, like Danika, to get pregnant for a couple of years when it’s a hormone sensitive tumour where the risk of recurrence is highest. I remember that being a really difficult recommendation for Danika to reconcile,” adds Dr. Findlay-Shirras.
The Ottawa Hospital has a new program, started by medical oncologist Dr. Amirrtha Srikanthan, especially for young women. According to Dr. Findlay-Shirras these patients require a different approach because they have to make difficult discussions about fertility.
“If you haven’t had your family yet when you get diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s reconciling the future you had envisioned for yourself and how it might be affected, and potentially not possible, because of breast cancer treatment. And that’s something you must grieve, which is really hard. So, having resources that are specific to young women is essential.”
Newly married, and ready to start a family, this was difficult for Danika. Due to her breast cancer diagnosis, she had to stop taking birth control pills because the hormones involved can lead to potential recurrence. That’s when she developed symptoms of endometriosis. “I had painful periods and ovarian cysts from a young age. In my 20s, severe pelvic pain led my gynecologist to suspect endometriosis and put me on continuous birth control to suppress my symptoms,” explains Danika. “When I stopped, the endometriosis reared its ugly head and my symptoms became debilitating, setting off a wave of new referrals, tests, and ultimately another surgery.”
What is endometriosis?
Dr. Sony Singh, surgeon and Head of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Newborn Care, at The Ottawa Hospital has been advocating for people living with endometriosis for years. It’s a chronic condition where tissue like the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus in the pelvic area. It’s often experienced as painful periods and patients are put on the birth control pill or other hormonal medications. While this may reduce the pain, it doesn’t stop the progression of the condition.
“Women are often told their pain is normal and they should live with it. There’s still a lot of misunderstanding and confusion about the disease,” says Dr. Singh.
Meet Dr. Sony Singh
Find out how he’s changing the ways we find and treat endometriosis at The Ottawa Hospital.
It’s important to recognize that not all women want to be on hormones and some can’t be, like Danika after a breast cancer diagnosis. That’s when the team at the Shirley E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre needs to look into alternatives, such as non-hormonal treatment options and/or surgery. Surgery, in complex cases, requires an interdisciplinary team with advanced expertise. “The Ottawa Hospital’s endometriosis expertise is nationally recognized as one of the best,” says Dr. Singh.
Danika’s case was certainly a standout to Dr. Singh and his team. “This is one of the most complex cases that I, and our hospital, has ever done for endometriosis.”
All endometriosis
Find out more about endometriosis: who first found it, why it happens, and how The Ottawa Hospital can help.
Planning a complex endometriosis surgery
What many don’t know is endometriosis can go beyond the pelvic area and invade other organs such as the bowel, the bladder, ureter, and the kidneys. In Danika’s case, Dr. Singh credits Dr. Kelly Harper, a diagnostic radiologist, who has specialized training in this area, for conducting advanced imaging and determining that Danika’s endometriosis had invaded into the pelvic nerves, which support muscle function, and the ability to walk and move.
"Advanced radiology imaging for endometriosis is something we’re well known for.”
“For the first time at The Ottawa Hospital, we have an expert who’s able to tell me that it’s invading the pelvic nerves and that’s an amazing step for us and our patients. Advanced radiology imaging for endometriosis is something we’re well known for,” says Dr. Singh.
Not only was the team able to identify what was causing all the pain for Danika, but there is also a research program that does virtual reality (VR) through a hospital start-up known as Realize Medical. They created a VR model of the pelvis to not only give this young woman a better understanding about how the disease was impacting her, but also to help the team prepare for surgery.
“All of this together provides this individual with care close to home — patients who would have otherwise had no options or had to travel outside the country to get this care,” adds Dr. Singh.
“This is a complex pelvic-neurosurgery and we’re conducting top-level prep for complex women’s health that has been limited to a few institutions globally.”
The University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre at the Civic Campus is where Dr. Singh brought together his team in advance of Danika’s surgery. Dr. Singh explains that thanks to the VR model, they were able to simulate the surgery and understand exactly what would happen in the operating room. “This is a complex pelvic-neurosurgery and we’re conducting top-level prep for complex women’s health that has been limited to a few institutions globally”
“Every single person that I interacted with during my care was so lovely, warm, and kind. They were very respectful of me as a person and my wishes and really took the time to understand what was important to me.”
Since the surgery in early September 2025, Danika continues to be cared for by two specialized teams at The Ottawa Hospital. “I’m healing well and already feeling significant relief from pain. I can’t thank Dr. Singh and his team enough for their care, expertise, and use of advanced technology in managing my complex surgery. They have preserved my mobility, restored my overall wellbeing and reproductive health, and most importantly, given me hope, and the chance to get back to living my life fully.”
While she never expected this intensive type of medical care at her age, she’s grateful to each care provider who has helped her along the way.
“Every single person that I interacted with during my care was so lovely, warm, and kind. They were very respectful of me as a person and my wishes and really took the time to understand what was important to me.”
For Dr. Singh, he’ll continue to advocate to ensure more people understand there is hope. “The Shirley Greenberg Women’s Health Centre is a centrer of excellence for endometriosis. We have hired a triage nurse who helps triage all the referrals from family doctors. The more people know, the more we can help these women who have suffered for too long.”
The Merkley Legacy: Building a healthier tomorrow
More than 125 years ago, three brothers founded Merkley Brothers Limited, and for the last century, the company has been providing expertise and high-quality building supplies throughout the region. Robert Merkley took over as CEO in 1982, making him the third generation to run the company, now called Merkley Supply Ltd.
Over the past 40 years, he has championed cancer research and driven change in our community. He knows how to build — not just buildings, but communities, institutions, and visions that endure and shape our city.
If any business understands what it takes to create a city’s foundation, it’s Merkley Supply Ltd. Having literally provided the materials that make construction possible, Robert has extended that same vision to healthcare — recognizing that world-class hospitals are cornerstones of a strong community.
And now, his latest contribution demonstrates how every dollar can become a building block in shaping the future of patient care and research. Robert is matching all donations, to a total of $1,000,000, before December 31, 2025!
Robert’s matching gift is an invitation — a call for our community to come together and help bring the new hospital to life.
“True giving goes beyond writing a cheque. It’s about rolling up our sleeves, inspiring others, and leading by example. If we want world-class healthcare, research, and facilities, it’s up to us to make it happen — our community deserves it.”
Robert’s support of the hospital began long before this gift. In 2010, along with Roger Greenberg and Claude Des Rosiers, he co-founded THE RIDE, a premier cycling fundraiser for cancer research. For more than a decade, their collective determination built THE RIDE into a celebrated tradition — one that raised more than $14 million to advance cancer research.
The impact on the hospital has been remarkable: launching new clinical trials, advancements in cancer immunotherapy, creating innovative new cancer treatments, and fueling discoveries that are transforming care worldwide.
In 2003, he chaired the Legacy Campaign Committee, raising $100 million for the Civic Campus Emergency Department, new equipment, and medical research — building vital pillars for patient care and innovation.
In 2008, he co-led the hospital’s 20-20 Campaign for a new cancer centre, strengthening the hospital’s foundation for clinical and research excellence. His dedication has left a lasting imprint, building the framework for discoveries and innovations that continue to advance patient care today.
“Robert has been a steadfast volunteer and supporter of TOH for decades,” says Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “When he’s committed to a project, he’s a force to be reckoned with, rallying the community and inspiring others to join him. We’re fortunate to have his support.”
The impact of Robert’s generosity can be seen across the hospital. In 2014, Dr. John Bell, world-renowned senior scientist in cancer therapeutics, renamed his oncolytic virus lab the Merkley Supply Bay in honour of Robert’s unwavering support. Today, Dr. Bell’s team continues to push the boundaries of cancer research, developing innovative treatments that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
“Every gift, every act of generosity, is a brick in the foundation of our future,” says Robert. “If we each do our part, we can create something that will stand strong for generations. So, let’s do it!”
With Robert’s year-end match gift opportunity, he once again demonstrates how visionary leadership, generosity, and community engagement can create real change.
Together, inspired by his example, we can turn every gift into a building block — creating a healthier tomorrow for everyone.
Published: September 2025
Read time: 2 mins
Published: September 2025
Read time: 2 mins
Dave Hale had a humble upbringing. He grew up in Munster, a small, farm-influenced community in southwest Ottawa. In that quiet environment, much of what Dave learned about life came through the example set by his parents.
His mother, in particular, shaped his understanding of community and service. A special needs educator by profession, she also ran a daycare, taught piano, volunteered through her church, and gave her time to anyone who needed it. Even outside of work, she would step in to support families — offering to care for children with special needs so their parents could enjoy a rare night out. These weren’t grand gestures, but they meant everything to the people she helped.
It was probably the most powerful life experience we’ve ever had. It made me realize that it’s the little, micro things you do over a lifetime that truly matter. You have to ask yourself: What are we really doing with our time here?"
“When she passed at age 61, we received over 300 letters from people she had impacted,” Dave recalls. “It was probably the most powerful life experience we’ve ever had. It made us realize that it’s the little, micro things you do over a lifetime that truly matter. You have to ask yourself: What are we really doing with our time here?”
Dave and his wife, Arielle, didn’t learn the value of community through wealth — but by witnessing Dave’s mother’s quiet, selfless acts of service. Now, as parents and business owners, they see how deeply those lessons are shaping their own values. Real impact doesn’t have to be loud, it just has to be intentional and the Hales are determined to create a legacy of service and purpose.
“You can be successful through nothing more than commitment and hard work.”
That mindset has driven Dave from the very start. At just 13 years old, he spent his summers and each autumn working at Saunders Farm, becoming a full-time employee at 17 and the marketing lead at just 20. This experience would set the tone for the rest of his career. Spending those formative years working at Saunders Farm, he watched a small, family-run attraction evolve into a thriving, multi-generational business. That experience didn’t just fuel his work ethic, but it ignited a passion for entrepreneurship.
Through that education and the real-world experience of founding his first business in 2010, Dave began to notice a pattern in how most organizations approached marketing: too much focus on flash, not enough focus on strategy.
In 2025, Arielle and Dave founded RDEL Group — named after his mother’s middle name, Ardell. Built on a “business-first” approach, RDEL Group helps clients grow by spending smarter, through efficient software, streamlined processes, and growth-oriented business development strategies.
The company’s philosophy mirrors the values their family learned from Dave’s mother: that small, consistent, intentional actions can make a lasting impact. Intentional effort, when executed correctly, can drive major results.
Building what matters
Today, Dave is stepping up in his own way as a dedicated volunteer for the Campaign to Create Tomorrow. He, Arielle, and their daughters, Elliotte (7) and Cordelia (6), are making their most significant philanthropic gift yet — one they hope will inspire other young families to think differently about philanthropy and about investing in themselves.
“When you drive down Preston Street, I feel like the future is being built,” Dave says. “It’s not just about tomorrow. It’s about 20 to 30 years from now, for me and my family.”
“When you drive down Preston Street, I feel like the future is being built. It’s not just about tomorrow. It’s about 20 to 30 years from now, for me and my family.”
Dave and Arielle want to be a voice for the next generation — asking bold questions about how we give, where our funding goes, and why transparency matters. Because when they visit the new hospital site, they are able to point to the construction and say to their children, we’re helping build that.
“I think it’s an exciting time,” Dave explains. “You can load your kids in the back of the car, drive yourself to Carling and Preston, and show them where your investment is going. That kind of visibility is invaluable for teaching young children.”
For the Hales, making a gift to the new hospital isn’t just charitable. It’s a smart business move. It’s an investment with exponential return: better care for their family, a stronger healthcare system for the community, and a lasting legacy for future generations.
That’s what sets this moment in time apart. The new hospital isn’t just solving today’s challenges — it’s planning for what healthcare in this city can and should be decades from now.
That long-term vision is rare, and it’s exactly what inspires leaders like the Hales to step up and be part of something that lasts.
Sadly, Kelda Whalen passed away on August 27, 2025. We are grateful for her generosity to our hospital and the legacy she leaves behind.
Published: August 2025
Read time: 3 mins
If Kelda Whalen were to place a dot on a map of the world for every location she has been, there would be an abundance of dots. Between her dedicated work in the foreign service and her love of travel, she has travelled the world extensively — but always returned to her hometown of Ottawa. That’s where she’s enjoyed the beautiful landscape, the arts community, and giving back to charities and organizations that were important to her, including The Ottawa Hospital.
Born in Ottawa at the Civic Campus, her travelling instincts came naturally, thanks to her father who was in the Canadian Armed Forces. Her family constantly moved across Canada to different military bases during her childhood years, and her father’s work even took them to Germany twice.
By the time she turned 21, she wrote the foreign service exam on a whim. She passed and that launched her career into quite a different direction than she thought when she was growing up. “Originally, my plan was to go to library school, but life had a different path for me,” says Kelda.
Exploring the world, but Ottawa was always home
Over the next decade or so, she was posted around the world. Each city bringing a unique opportunity she’d never forget. Kelda’s first posting was Dublin, Ireland. “It was a delightful place, even though it rains all the time,” recalls Kelda.
Next stop was London, England — a city she thoroughly loved. “I was there at a fortunate time when the dollar was up, and the pound was down. This allowed me to explore my love of arts, and I got to enjoy all these fabulous plays.”
After four years in England, Kelda was stationed in New Delhi and then Hong Kong. Afterwards, she returned to Ottawa for a short time before one of her superiors made her aware of a temporary posting in Beirut. “I immediately said, ‘I want it!’ It was 20 above Celsius in Beirut that day and 20 below in Ottawa, so I took it.”
This deployment was a different experience than any other. Despite it being dangerous at that time because of political unrest, she was still able to tour the surrounding countryside, which she recalls as being quite lovely.
A devastating turn of events
Her last big trip was to Damascus, and then she returned to Ottawa in between deployments. It was the summer of 1982, and while there were plans for her to be deployed once again, life took a dramatic turn on one hot summer evening.
After a Saturday evening swim at the pool in her apartment building, she decided to go into the sauna. “I had only taken two saunas in my entire life, and why I decided to go into the sauna, I don’t know. I had low blood pressure — I was overcome by the heat, and I fainted,’ recalls Kelda.
She got up right away but subsequently fainted four more times before falling against the door of the sauna and onto the locker room floor. “I managed to get myself up and thought it was odd, but overall, I didn’t feel unwell. It turns out by fainting five times in a row, I damaged a part of my brain called the basil ganglia, which controls the body’s ability to move.”
Diagnosed with dystonia after fainting multiple times
Within two days, despite feeling fine, Kelda looked in the mirror and she could see the muscles in her neck standing out as though they were spasming.
Sadly, it took many years, before she learned what had happened. Finally, in 1996, she was diagnosed with dystonia. It is an uncommon neurological condition that causes muscles to contract uncontrollably, leading to twisting movements, abnormal postures, or repetitive motions. These muscle contractions happen because the brain sends faulty signals to the muscles, even when the person doesn’t intend to move.
At the time, Kelda was referred to a Toronto hospital and to Dr. Andres Lozano, well-known globally for deep-brain stimulation surgery. Unlike today, it was a time when Ottawa didn’t have the capacity or expertise for this.
“I was 31 when I first fell. That ended my career in the foreign service — I couldn’t go abroad because I was in pain from the spasms. I’ve had multiple neurosurgeries over the years at The Ottawa Hospital, but sadly, none have been able to alleviate the symptoms of dystonia.”
But this condition didn’t stop Kelda completely. She persevered and continued to work part time as an immigration officer before she retired in 2002.
She also didn’t let dystonia hold her back from travelling, which she continued to do extensively with friends. As travelling became more difficult, she shifted to cruises and then van excursions. She’s visited Venice, Italy three times — it’s her all-time favourite destination.
“As I get older, I have more and more difficulty walking. I had an A-linker, known as a walking bike, from 2019 to 2023, and I’d go out every morning at 6 a.m. because I’m an early riser. I liked to go out along the canal and enjoy the early morning peace.”
Finding a way to be remembered when she’s gone
But even her morning excursions have become more challenging over time as her ability to walk deteriorated and falls were more frequent. Despite the increasing difficulty, it didn’t stop her from getting out. In fact, it was during one of her walks that she began to think about her legacy and how she wanted to be remembered when she was gone.
“When I spoke to my financial advisor, she talked to me about the new hospital and the opportunity to have a patient room named after me, and that’s when I decided to leave a gift in my will to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow.”
“I wanted to leave a sign, and it was during a walk to the Governor General’s front garden when I saw benches with small plaques to say they’ve been donated by someone,” says Kelda. “When I spoke to my financial advisor, she talked to me about the new hospital and the opportunity to have a patient room named after me, and that’s when I decided to leave a gift in my will to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow.”
As a longtime patient of The Ottawa Hospital, including for multiple neurological surgeries over the years, the idea of single-patient rooms for the new hospital campus is certainly appealing to Kelda.
"I just want people to remember me when I’m gone.”
As someone who has always donated to organizations in her community, including the arts, supporting others with dystonia, as well as our hospital, by leaving a gift in her will, Kelda will always be remembered for reshaping the future of healthcare. Her name will be seen by other patients, their families, staff, and physicians who walk by the room that will be named after her when the new hospital campus opens. It’s a fitting way to help future patients who will need the hospital like she has.
Despite her health continuing to deteriorate, she continues to think of others. “Maybe I’ll get a patient room in neurology named after me, but I’m not too fussy, where it will be. I just want people to remember me when I’m gone.”
