Krystyna Locke at 63 and most cancers free – credit score, London Well being Sciences Middle
Given all of the bills and anxieties that include battling most cancers, one would possibly suppose that parking charges actually shouldn’t be amongst them.
But as wild as which will sound, some hospitals and most cancers facilities in Canada both cost for parking—as a lot as CAD$12 a day—or don’t have giant sufficient on-site parking, forcing sufferers to park in personal heaps or on the road the place the prices might be even larger.
A 6-month battle in opposition to most cancers means these parking charges can breach the hundreds column, however one most cancers survivor is fundraising to pay for most cancers sufferers’ parking, making certain that in not less than one sense they haven’t any burden to reveal.
That’s the story of Krystyna Locke, who battled lymphoma for 20 years, and is now giving again within the weeks following her birthday to help these strolling an identical path.
She’s elevating funds to cowl parking prices for sufferers and households visiting the Verspeeten Household Most cancers Middle (VFCC) at London Well being Sciences Middle in Ontario, the place she acquired therapy for therefore lengthy.
“The need is there,” Krystyna mentioned in a press release. “Some people have to come in every day for treatment, and parking can feel like one more thing to deal with. I wanted to spark some joy in their day.”
Recognized with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2004, Locke visited the most cancers clinic each 6 months for over 2 a long time. In 2023, her sickness reworked right into a extra aggressive type, however immediately, she is cancer-free and centered on giving again.
Now, throughout the two weeks both aspect of her 63rd birthday, Locke waits at a sales space with parking vouchers and an indication that reads “Happy Birthday to me, you’re parking is free.”
“Today, I received hugs. I received kisses on the cheek. I shared tears with people. I shared laughter. There was joking. It just completely lightens the mood,” Locke mentioned.
“We are deeply grateful to Krystyna for her generosity and compassion toward patients at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Center,” mentioned Carey Landry, director of the South West Regional Most cancers Program. “Facing a cancer diagnosis is an emotional journey, and helping cover parking costs removes one worry for patients and their families. Krystyna’s kindness is a shining example of the difference one person can make in our community.”
Krystyna has a fund arrange via the LHSF the place she has raised over $5,000 so far. She plans to return every summer season in honor of her birthday to proceed giving again.
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“This is also a part of my own healing process,” she mentioned within the assertion. “I want to show my children and grandkids how meaningful it can be to give to others.”
“Her gift lifts a weight off patients and families during one of the most difficult times of their lives. We’re proud to support her mission,” mentioned John H. MacFarlane, president and CEO of LHSF.
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When questioned by CBC reporters, an LHSF spokesperson acknowledged the price of the parking and the burden it imposes, however mentioned that it goes to pay for hospital operations—per a regulation handed in 2016 within the province of Ontario that requires them to take action. The regulation additionally provides sufferers, their relations and guests 5-day, 10-day, and 30-day passes for half the conventional every day fee.
The true problem, the spokesperson mentioned, is when there’s both no parking or not sufficient parking, and sufferers should go off-campus to seek out some. So long as Locke has a say, although, they gained’t should.
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