“I wouldn’t be alive without HSC”
At least once in their lifetimes, most Manitobans will rely on HSC Winnipeg. John Bond has counted on the support and expertise of HSC many times since moving from Indiana to Winnipeg in 1974.
“HSC is a solid foundation for this province—they truly elevate the level of health care for Manitobans,” says Bond, a retired professor in the Department of Family Social Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Forty years ago, HSC brought Bond’s son into this world; 15 years ago, HSC began supporting Bond when he was diagnosed with kidney disease; and 11 years ago, HSC was there when his wife Sharon was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away only 10 days after receiving the devastating diagnosis.
“As a couple who relied on HSC, we felt as supported as possible—and I still do. The staff at HSC are always very informative, supportive, and encouraging. As an academic, I have many questions and HSC gives me everything I need and more,” says Bond.
Bond and wife Sharon had five great years of retirement together before her leukemia diagnosis.
Fast forward to today as COVID-19 poses a threat world-wide, especially to those working on the frontlines of health care. As someone who spends over 12 hours a week with nurses at HSC’s Sherbrook Centre Dialysis Unit, Bond can attest to the risks this pandemic has posed to frontline health care workers.
“I see how dangerous the job is for them to have patients like me coming in and out. They don’t know where we’ve been, or who we have been in contact with. They put themselves at risk daily,” says Bond.
Bond is on dialysis over 12 hours a week: “I wouldn’t be alive without HSC.”
Bond has been a donor to the HSC Foundation since his wife died. He has seen first-hand the importance of supporting the Foundation.
“Upon speaking to a nurse about the threat I feel we dialysis patients pose, she said ‘this is what we signed up for—it’s our job,’” recalls Bond. “As a witness to the staff’s dedication and humanity while we are on dialysis, I can see how important it is to give back to those who are there for me.”
While Bond strives to live life to the fullest extent possible by reading, baking, keeping in touch with family, and working part time as Riverview Health Centre’s Manager of Research, he notes that “most people don’t realize that those on dialysis are on life support; we are halfway between a real life and being in an ICU. I am so grateful for the care HSC staff gives me. When I am there, I feel so cared for and cared about—I am blessed that they are in my life.”
Please consider making a gift to the HSC Foundation to help HSC Winnipeg deliver the best care possible. No gift is too small. To make your donation, click here.
By Natasha Havrilenko