Nicole Hawthorne’s Story
I still get emotional thinking about the relief and gratitude that washed over me when I heard those five words. The tears running down my cheeks, as the surgeon said:
“Yes, I can help you.”
I’ve had several memorable moments at Richmond Hospital over the 28 years I’ve lived in Richmond. Maybe you have too?
Moments like the birth of my two beautiful children. Many rounds of scans and appointments and at least three major surgeries. But that one moment? The moment where Dr. Gatha told me he would be able to perform my knee replacement surgery after others couldn’t?
That brought tears to my eyes!
I’m writing to share my story with you today, because Richmond is my home. It’s my community, and YOU are a part of this community too.
I’m writing you because you’re a valued member of the Richmond community. Richmond Hospital is your hospital too. Will you consider making a special gift in support of compassionate community health care today? A gift of any amount that feels right to you, will help a great deal.
When you’ve lived in Richmond as long as I have, it feels like a special, close-knit community. And when you’ve spent as much time at Richmond Hospital as I have, it feels like a community there too!
Everyone is so supportive. From the moment you walk through the door, they do their best to make you feel comfortable. And I’ve encountered this time and again during my hospital visits: two C-sections, two knee replacement surgeries and a colon resection over the past 20+ years! I can vividly remember moving slowly down the hall with my walker after my knee replacement surgery, feeling so very encouraged and supported by the staff cheering me on!
Would you agree that communities are strongest
when everyone lends a hand?
However much you choose to support, every gift makes a real difference to the care Richmond Hospital can provide: to you, your own family, and to everyone in our community.
Remember how I said that Dr. Gatha brought me a huge sense of relief and hope when he said he would help me with my knee surgery? I was especially emotional because my mom was really sick at the time. His assurance gave me something to feel grateful for during that very sad and challenging time.
I lost my mom not long after that first knee surgery. I still miss her every single day. With Mother’s Day coming up and in honour of all moms, including those who provide care for our loved ones when in need, will you please send a special message — and a compassionate gift if you can?
Your gift will give hope and relief to patients just like me. I’m very proud, and I know my mom would be too, to share that I’ve started running again, just over a year after my second knee replacement!
Together you and I can ensure compassionate, high-quality health care is always available right here in Richmond — for you, your family, and our community.
With gratitude,
Nicole Hawthorne
Grateful patient, mom and Richmondite
