Every year, 100s of families living across Prince Edward County and the Quinte region are impacted by a loved one’s urgent need for medical care. Illness, injury, the premature birth of a child, and the end of life is all part of the collective human experience, and yet when they arrive, everything changes.

In the aftermath of these moments, many families find that, even in the depths of their loss, powerful feelings of love and gratitude are also present.

In May of 2019, Mark Campbell, beloved son, husband, father, and friend died after a spirited personal journey with cancer. He was 59-years-old. His faith, charm, love of life and caring nature has become his legacy. A legacy that is being proudly carried forward through his wife Heather, daughter Billi, son Scott and their families.

The Campbell family of Bloomfield is well known around Prince Edward County and there is no denying the love within the family.

It is that enduring love and their commitment to our PEC community that has inspired the family to give back to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF).

Even prior to Mark’s passing, the Campbell family had a meaningful relationship with the PECMHF. The relationship started as a small fundraiser to send Mark, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2019 to fulfill a life dream: to attend a Toronto Maple Leafs game with his children and grandchildren. The money was raised through an online GoFundMe campaign to send Mark, Heather, and four generations of their family to the game.

With family, friends, acquaintances and fellow County residents contributing generously, the total raised allowed Mark to fulfill his last wish with his family, with remaining funds for the family to contribute where needed most. These funds were split between Hospice Prince Edward Foundation and PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign.

As stewards of the funds so generously donated, the Campbell family felt it was important to return the hockey game funds from the community, back to the community. Heather and her family have stepped forward with a $15,767 gift for the new hospital campaign which represents the balance of the funds received through the GoFundMe campaign. In total, over $60,000 has been transferred to PECMHF as a result of donations from Mark’s friends and family. In recognition of the PEC community’s generosity, the PECMHF will name the multi purpose area in the new hospital’s Emergency Department. The Emergency Department holds a special place in the hearts of the Campbell family as Mark was brought into the Emergency Department in the current hospital three times leading to the eventual diagnosis of cancer. The family recalls Mark being treated with the utmost respect and care every time he visited.

“Every interaction with Mark’s care team and hospital staff in the time he spent in the PECMH Emergency Department and on 2 South in the days of acute illness as we learned of his diagnosis was filled with kindness and care. We will always be grateful for the expedient and compassionate care that Mark received. It is fitting to return these funds to our community, who surrounded us and cared for us at a time when we were unable to do so for ourselves. Our gratitude is unending; for the care he and our family received in that time from the hospital staff and our generous community through the gifts towards realizing Mark’s dream,” said Heather Campbell.

In the Emergency Department, overcrowding can be an issue. Improving patient flow is always a goal of the care team. In some cases, ambulatory patients are most efficiently treated in a multi-purpose area. This is an important space that allows for the patient to remain in an upright posture, whether standing or seated in a chair. Having this room can expedite the medical team’s ability to treat patients quickly and efficiently. These rooms also require less space than conventional Emergency Department rooms as they do not require a stretcher or a bed. These areas are designed for short-term occupancy so a patient can forgo lying down. With the addition of this room in the new QHC PECMH, patients are likely to experience a shorter visit, which helps increase patient flow and improve the patient experience.

 “We are beyond thankful to the Campbell family for their investment in our new hospital and the multi-purpose area in our Emergency Department,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “An entire community of donors have blazed the trail to make this room naming possible and we know that this generous gift from the Campbell family will leave a lasting legacy. As a member of the PECMHF team, it is a great honour, and I am humbled, to be a part of the Campbell family’s healing journey through these donations.”

“Mark and I grew up here, ventured hither and yon, and with our family we returned to our home community 21 years ago. We consider QHC PECMH to be our hospital as we have depended on it for treatment and care throughout our lives. A part of Mark’s journey continues as we reflect on the generosity and support in all ways that Mark and our family received from this amazing community,” said Heather.  “This hospital is a part of us and was a safe and caring haven for Mark in those early days of his unwellness. I think he would be pleased with our decision to return the GoFundMe funds to the community through the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build Fund.

“The Campbell family is an outstanding example of the community spirit we see in Prince Edward County. Each gift received in his memory has made a remarkable impact,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “We can take comfort in knowing that this critical multi-purpose area will be available in the Emergency Department of our new hospital for patients in the community. We want to sincerely thank the Campbell family and everyone who donated in Mark’s memory for the love and incredible generosity you have shown to our community by keeping our new hospital in your hearts.”

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.