After undergoing brain surgery at Health Sciences Centre, Emaline Jackson made the heartfelt decision to begin annual donations to the HSC Foundation
Only a few days after retiring, Emaline Jackson’s life took a harrowing turn. What began as a seemingly inconsequential fall down her basement stairs revealed itself as a pivotal, life-threatening moment.
“It was just a silly accident,” Jackson explains, recalling the moment vividly. “I was rushing down my basement stairs, juggling two items in my hands, and then I lost my balance. Before I knew it, I was tumbling down.”
At the time of the accident, in March, Jackson visited a nearby hospital and was treated for a black eye and bloody nose.
At first, she brushed the fall off as a clumsy misstep, a moment of carelessness in the rush of everyday life. But as the days turned into months, the consequences of that fall became increasingly apparent.
Persistent dizziness, unrelenting headaches, and bouts of vomiting signalled a deeper issue. In September, Jackson returned to her nearby hospital.
Upon arrival, she was rushed by ambulance to Health Sciences Centre (HSC), where she immediately underwent an MRI. It was then that the doctors made a grim discovery—she had sustained a cerebral hemorrhage, a brain bleed.
“I had to have brain surgery. I stayed in the hospital for about 10 days,” she remembers. “After surgery, the doctor came up to see me every morning. He would ask me how I felt and would do a few tests. The nurses were so nice. I think HSC does a very good job in taking care of people.”
Born in the West Indies, Jackson immigrated to Winnipeg in 1969, where she would later meet her husband and have three children.
“I came here all by myself. I had to work very hard. I had three jobs just to survive,” she says.
Despite her humble beginnings, Jackson’s generosity knows no bounds. She has been a steadfast supporter of numerous local charities for years. And, after experiencing the lifesaving care of HSC firsthand, she finds purpose in giving back to the HSC Foundation every year.
“I don’t have much, but I like to share,” she says. “It makes me feel better, knowing that I can make a difference.”
For the HSC Foundation, donors like Emaline Jackson are a beacon of hope and gratitude, their generosity ensuring that others can receive the same level of care that saved her life.
You too can make an impact by donating here, or by calling the HSC Foundation office at 204-515-5612 or 1-800-679-8493 (toll-free).
By Jen Golletz
