A NEWFOUND PULL TO GIVE BACK By Kendra Horosko
That clinched Myron’s decision to support ACT-PD. “People don’t know what they can truly give,” he says. “They don’t realize their potential. There are tools that can help us figure that out. The simple creation of a will, or an update to an existing one, can be a great start. Philanthropy isn’t only for the wealthy. It’s for all of us.” Follow Myron’s lead. Build your own philanthropic legacy. Email philanthropy@calgaryhealthfoundation.ca to start the conversation. At first, doctors suspected a stroke, but treatments weren’t working. An MRI revealed something far more serious — a brain infection that required urgent neurosurgery. Neurosurgeon Dr. Fady Girgis performed MacDonald’s life-saving brain surgery. “I’m absolutely convinced Dr. Girgis saved my life,” MacDonald says. When complications arose, a second life-saving surgery was needed. Recovery was long and difficult, but he was determined. MacDonald spent hours focusing on the smallest movements — wiggling his toes, lifting his leg, and eventually, standing. He relearned how to walk using a four-wheeled walker, pacing the hospital halls throughout the night. After six weeks in hospital, his hard work paid off and he was discharged to go home with follow-up care. Nearly half a year later, MacDonald returned to biking, starting with one mile a day. Today, at 74 years old, he bikes for an hour daily, rows every morning, and has even added yoga to his routine. Grateful for his life-saving care, MacDonald has included a gift in his will to Calgary Health Foundation. “I’m so thankful,” he says. “Your donation could mean more equipment, more research — and one day, it could save your life, or the life of someone you love.”
The MacDonald family
For Gordon MacDonald, life is made up of bike rides, workouts, time with his family, and driving his beloved Dodge Challenger. But just two years ago, none of that was guaranteed. On January 10, 2023, his entire life changed. When MacDonald got up to get a glass of water, he collapsed. His wife, Jennifer, called 911, and within minutes, he was on his way to Foothills Medical Centre’s emergency department. and Myron followed suit, giving his time, effort, and money to causes he cares about. In 2013, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He later enrolled in a research trial examining the efficacy of Botox for the treatment of a Parkinson’s disease-related movement disorder. There he met neurologist Dr. Veronica Bruno, who was leading the study. Myron was quickly impressed by her and her team, the Advanced Care Team for Parkinson’s disease, or ACT-PD. ACT-PD is an innovative pilot project aiming at revolutionizing Parkinson’s care, research, and advocacy. They offer compassionate, interdisciplinary, and holistic care to people living with advanced Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, as well as support for their loved ones and caregivers. Myron asked himself, ‘Does the team offer a high level of care? Do they use funding wisely? Will the work continue long after I’m gone?’ The answer to all three questions was a resounding yes.
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Breakthroughs [ Spring 2026 ]
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