For Lisa Sin Yan Too’s family, healthcare is a calling shared across generations.

Lisa trained as a nurse in England before immigrating to Canada, while her late husband, Dr. Robert Sin Yan Too, dedicated his life to caring for patients as a family doctor, and both of their daughters went on to build careers in healthcare.

When the girls were little, their dad would take them on house calls.

“We would wait in the car while he checked on his patients,” says Natalie, Lisa's youngest daughter. "If someone needed him, he was there. That's just who he was."

Today that family tradition continues. Lena, Lisa's eldest daughter, first came to Scarborough as a pharmacy student and has worked as a pharmacist at Scarborough Health Network Centenary Hospital for 26 years, while her sister Dr. Natalie Sin Yan Too, is a family physician.

The family’s connection to SHN goes back even further. Lisa’s mother lived in Scarborough for many years and received specialized gastrointestinal care at Centenary Hospital before being admitted for palliative care near the end of her life in 1990.

“We have a long history with Centenary Hospital. My mom was well taken care of before she passed away," says Lisa."She always told me the care was really good." She also remembers Dr. Keith Wong, one of her mother's physicians, whose kindness and dedication remained memorable decades later.

Originally from Mauritius, Lisa immigrated to Canada with her husband in the late 1970s. After living in Manitoba and then Wallaceburg, Ontario, for many years, she moved to Scarborough in 2018 to be closer to her daughters after her husband passed away. Today, she lives in the same condominium building as her daughter Lena—just down the hallway.

Today, Lisa dedicates her time giving back to the hospital that cared for her mom as a volunteer at Birchmount Hospital. When Lisa decided to make a charitable gift, she chose to support SHN Foundation by donating appreciated securities.

“When my stocks appreciated, we chose to transfer them directly to SHN Foundation," she says. “The process was easier than I expected.” Although she plans to leave a gift in her Will, she decided also to give during her lifetime so she could support the hospital now.

The decision also felt deeply personal to the entire family. "When I suggested supporting the hospital, Mom immediately said yes," Lena recalls. "We've always had a connection here, and it just felt right."

The gift also honours the generosity of Lisa's late husband, Dr. Robert Sin Yan Too, whose commitment to caring for others inspired their family. "Dad was very generous. If he saw someone in need, he always helped them," says Lena.

By choosing to donate through securities, Lisa and her family are helping ensure patients and families continue to receive compassionate care close to home.

"We are happy to help our community. Everyone uses the hospital." says Lisa.