Honouring Inspiration
Spotlight: Bernie McGarva
Bernie McGarva went in for day surgery on a small aneurysm behind his knee. The surgery was more complicated than expected and ultimately the doctors had to amputate his leg. The next day, McGarva noticed a walker at the end of his hospital bed and decided to try it. “I took a couple of steps and was exhausted but thrilled to be back on my feet.”
That tells you a lot about Bernie. He faced an unimaginable challenge and simply decided to get on with it. Now he’s honouring the people at UHN’s West Park who helped him get his life back by making a legacy gift to the hospital.
Bernie grew up in Toronto, graduated from UTS and went on to study government at Harvard and law at the University of Toronto. “I was always interested in the law from the time I was a kid, and I hoped I could use it to make a difference.” He practiced for many years as a civil litigator with specializations in shareholder and construction law before moving into the field of alternative dispute resolution.
After the amputation, Bernie was determined to keep moving, despite considerable pain. “I was motoring around the entire hospital floor, so they decided to move me over to West Park for rehab quickly!” There he found the practical help and inspiration he needed, working with outstanding doctors, prosthetists and therapists.
“At West Park I met so many patients who encouraged and inspired me with their approach to getting their lives back. I learned a lot there.” His wife and chief cheerleader Pippa also played a key role in his recovery.
Always active and a longtime hockey coach, Bernie no longer runs or skates. He swims and cycles to stay in shape and is delighted he can hit the ski slopes again, using a specialized prosthetic.
When he was approached to join the board of the West Park Foundation, Bernie jumped at the chance to give back. He enjoyed coming back to the hospital, often working with familiar faces in new ways and connecting with recent amputees to provide the support and encouragement that was so important to him.
Although he has fond memories of the warm, friendly atmosphere in the old hospital, Bernie is thrilled with the new building, which he calls “an absolutely stunning transformation.” He says the building has helped raise the profile of West Park and spread the message of its mission to help people get their lives back on a larger scale.
And the choice to make a legacy gift? Bernie says simply, “I want to say that I believe in the cause and that I want others to consider contributing to it.”
More donors like Bernie McGarva are partnering with us to create a legacy gift to West Park through their Will or estate plans.
If you would like to learn more about investing in the future of UHN’s West Park Healthcare Centre, please contact Jacqueline Cooper, VP Development at 416-243-3613 or jackie.cooper@uhn.ca.
