QEII Foundation to benefit from Halifax couple's donation
Vern Toole and his wife Peggy are encouraging people to donate to the foundation
The greatest gift of all is the gift of life.
A 90-year-old Halifax man says his life has been extended by the doctors and nurses at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, and now he and his wife are planning a substantial gift to the hospital's foundation.
Every morning, Vern Toole and his wife Peggy start their day in their sunroom, where Vern devours two newspapers as part of his daily routine.
'In four days, I was operated on'
His health is good at the moment, but seven years ago he was diagnosed with cancer.
"I probably had the speediest of diagnosis and treatment," said Toole. "In four days, I was operated on."
The operation was a success and Toole has remained cancer free.
But two years ago, he suffered another health setback. He was having heart trouble and was quickly set up for a pacemaker, which he says has worked perfectly.
Now as a way to pay back the workers at the QEII, whom he says have extended his life, Toole has written in his will to have funds donated to the hospital's foundation when he dies.
"You look at the history when you've had such great treatment," said Toole. "Why wouldn't you do something about it for the future?"
Married for 52 years
Vern and Peggy Toole were married 52 years ago.
Vern served as a torpedo operator on HMCS Algonquin before taking on a lengthy career in sales.
Through the years, his now 85-year-old bride Peggy has had perfect health, but she's also including the QEII Foundation in her will.
"On most occasions you will reach your goal and if your goal is to stay alive and enjoy your life, then maybe you can pass some of that on to people who are going to be ill in the future," said Peggy Toole. "That's just the way it works."
The QEII Foundation is grateful for all gifts of assets they receive.
Charles O'Neil, a charitable gift advisor with the QEII Foundation, says they can come in a variety of forms, including cash, real estate or stocks.
"There is always a need and many people don't realize hospital foundations in Nova Scotia have to come up with 25 per cent of capital expenditures", he said.
"That is a huge price tag each year and that's in addition to other needs the hospital may approach us with."
The Tooles are encouraging other people to consider putting hospital foundations into their wills.
Vern Toole says he's in no rush to part with his money just yet.
"I have people now who are making appointments with me to see me on my 100th birthday, so it may take a while, but we'll get to it," he said. "The money will be there."