The Heart of the Hospital is its People

This and other good news stories featured in our 2025 Report to Community available now: https://report2025.aberdeenhealthfoundation.ca/

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Friday, April 25, 2025

John Reeves is always ready to share his favourite memory of Aberdeen Hospital.

As a shy four-year-old from the country, he found himself in an unfamiliar place, facing his first hospital stay. He was admitted for surgery, unsure of what to expect. With no beds left in the children’s wing, he was placed in a shared room with three adult patients. To his surprise, the men welcomed him kindly and made him feel comfortable right away.

“They treated me like gold,” John laughs. “They gave me all their desserts while we were in there. My mother kept in touch with them for a good number of years afterward, just because of that experience.”

It’s a light-hearted memory, but one that marked the beginning of a lasting connection to the hospital.

His wife Darlene’s memories of the hospital are just as meaningful. Over the years, the couple has supported loved ones through various treatments, some lifesaving and others in their final days. Darlene remembers the Palliative Care Unit as a place of exceptional comfort.

“It was ahead of its time, creating a space where patients and families could feel at ease,” she says. “Even hospitals in larger cities lacked the warmth and dignity that Aberdeen Hospital provided.”

That sense of comfort and care continued years later, when Darlene’s father underwent cancer treatment at Aberdeen Hospital. “I saw first-hand how kind and dedicated the staff were. It really made a difference.”

These experiences helped build their deep trust in the work of the Aberdeen Health Foundation. While they’ve supported the Foundation for decades, John and Darlene became monthly donors in 2018.

What keeps them committed is the visible, local impact of their donations.

“You can see where the money is going,” John says. “It’s not just about the equipment. The money also supports training and other important things that make a difference. It’s encouraging to see it being used in such a meaningful way.”

Darlene recalls specific upgrades that have stood out, like improvements to mammography equipment, the MRI machine, and more recently, the emergency department.

“Sometimes, being in a smaller area, you don’t always expect to have the latest equipment,” she says. “We saw this as an opportunity to give back in some way.”

Aberdeen Health Foundation Executive Director Michelle Ferris sees that spirit reflected across the Foundation’s community of monthly donors.

“I value the relationships we’ve built through our monthly giving program and am always struck by the humility of those who give,” Ferris says. “Many feel like their monthly gift isn’t much, but that steady generosity adds up to something deeply meaningful. Each month, I’m reminded of their support and kindness. It really feels like we have our very own cheerleaders.”

That sentiment rings true for John and Darlene. Their generosity may not seek attention, but their support speaks volumes. The warmth John experienced as a little boy didn’t just come from kind-hearted roommates, it came from something bigger. A hospital shaped by the generosity of people who care, and a community that continues to show up for each other.

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The Aberdeen Health Foundation is the leading charity for enhancing health care in Pictou County. In 2024, the Foundation invested over $2.7 million to fund medical equipment and enhance health programs at the Aberdeen Hospital and in the community. Your contribution can be the catalyst for even greater change — find out how you can make an impact here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Megan Manuel Murphy
Administrative Coordinator
Aberdeen Health Foundation

902-752-7600 ext. 4600
Megan.ManuelMurphy@nshealth.ca