“When I was diagnosed with leukemia, I never expected the kind of care I would receive at the Saint John Regional Hospital. It changed everything for me.”

When Trevor Marshall faced leukemia, he quickly realized just how extraordinary the Oncology team at the Saint John Regional Hospital truly is.

“I remember the moment I walked back into the Saint John Regional Hospital after six long weeks away. I’d been through chemo. A stem cell transplant. More blood tests than I could count. And I was tired, really tired. But when I stepped into Oncology here in Saint John, something shifted. It wasn’t just about the treatment. It was the people. The way they knew my name. The way they made me feel like I mattered. I’m sure you can imagine how much that meant to me.”

Trevor’s journey began in late 2022. “I was diagnosed with leukemia in late 2022. I never expected to be the one in the hospital bed. But there I was, five rounds of chemo between October and February, followed by a stem cell transplant. I was fortunate that my sister was a perfect donor match.”

Even when faced with treatments away from home, Trevor trusted the team completely. “When my team of caring experts told me I’d have to leave for this one treatment, I trusted them. No doubt. It was just one treatment and then I’d be home. It wasn’t until I finally made it home by the end of July that I realized just how much I valued the care I received at the Regional. Can you imagine how much that kind of support can mean?”

“It’s not just the treatment. It’s the way they treat you. Dr. Comeau. Josh Smith. Arlene. Natalie. Shay. Christina. I could go on. These are the people who made me feel safe. Seen. Supported. They gave me medicine. They gave me comfort. They gave my wife peace of mind. They gave my family hope.”

Trevor reflects on the impact of donor-supported care: “And none of this would be possible without generous people like you. The Saint John Regional Hospital is home to New Brunswick’s only stem cell transplant program. Your support helps fund vital equipment like apheresis machines, as well as the small, caring touches that mean so much to patients and families.”

His journey hasn’t been easy. “I’ve had more than 50 blood transfusions. I’ve been back in the hospital with pneumonia and the flu. And not long after my stem cell transplant, I developed a severe case of graft versus host disease. I couldn’t keep any food down. I lost 15 pounds in a few weeks. It was one of the darkest moments. Yet, each time I ended up back in Oncology, I felt grateful. Grateful to be in a place where people care. Where they remember your name. Where they treat you like a person, not a patient. Grateful for the fast-acting strategies laid out by my team and access to donor funded equipment to help treat my cancer.”

For Trevor and his family, giving back became a natural response. “Giving back is our thank you for the care that carried us and every family through their hardest days. We’ve supported the Saint John Regional Hospital for years. But after everything we’ve been through, it means more now. We’ve seen firsthand how donor gifts touch lives and improve care for patients and families. It gives families more holidays to look forward to.”

Trevor’s story is a reminder that support from the community truly matters. “I’m sharing my story with you today because I want you to know how much your thoughtfulness matters. When you give to the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, you’re helping real people, local people, get through the hardest moments of their lives. You’re helping someone’s dad. Someone’s sister. Someone’s partner. You’re helping someone like me.”

“Cancer wasn’t supposed to happen to me. But it did. And it could happen to anyone. That’s why your generosity matters so much. You’re helping make sure the staff, the equipment, and the warm, caring extras are here, right here at home, when someone needs them.”