Carol Bedford has spent more than 50 years living just minutes from Scarborough’s Centenary Hospital. Now, after a lifetime of care for herself and her late husband, Carol is giving back in the most meaningful way: by leaving a gift to SHN in her Will.

“By no means am I a wealthy person, but my husband and I have had a good life,” she shares. “I hope that my gift helps future patients and families… I need to pass it forward.”

Carol receives regular care at SHN, including undergoing two major hip replacement surgeries. She still visits her Orthopaedic Doctor, Dr. Charles Thompson once a year to make sure everything is in good shape, but after a bad fall at her home in November 2024, Carol faced one of her most difficult health challenges.

“I was trying to get a plant down from the top of my patio roof, and I fell,” Carol recalls. “I didn’t break my artificial hip, but I smashed my femur. I had three surgeons that operated on me immediately, and after a four and 1/2 hour surgery, I am walking again thanks to the very talented surgeons.”

Her late husband Bernard also depended on SHN’s care. After years of heart problems, he suffered a stroke and later developed difficulties swallowing. When he contracted COVID-19, his health declined further, and he spent 10 days in SHN’s Emergency Department before he passed away. Carol says that although it was an incredibly hard time, she saw firsthand the compassion of the doctors and staff.

“I have nothing bad to say about the hospital—only good things,” she says. “The doctors really do their best, even though they’re overburdened with work. They treated Bernard with such care, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

It’s that gratitude that inspired Carol to give back. She donates regularly to many charities, but SHN holds a special place in her heart. “If I can help out by donating a little, then I will. It's a vital institution. We need it” says Carol. With no children of her own, Carol has also chosen to include Scarborough hospital in her Will.

For Carol, leaving a legacy with SHN is her way of honouring the exceptional care she and Bernard received, and ensuring that Scarborough families will continue to benefit from excellent healthcare for generations to come.