Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation has recognized the legacy of the late Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the expanded preparation and recovery suite in PRHC’s recently upgraded interventional radiology (IR) department.
The naming of the IR preparation and recovery area in memory of Margie and Bob honours two lifelong champions of healthcare who, the hospital says, helped transform care for patients across the region.
The Lightbody’s impact on local healthcare spans decades. Margie devoted nine years to the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors and served as Chair of the Foundation’s 2011 Closer to Care campaign. In recognition of her leadership, she was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020. Bob and Margie also generously supported cancer care and mental health care at PRHC.
This support includes a gift Margie made on behalf of her and Bob just before her passing in 2022, fulfilling their wish to make one final, significant investment in the future of patient care in their community. That donation supported the state-of-the-art advancement of the IR facilities, where PRHC’s interventional radiology teams perform minimally invasive procedures to treat patients with conditions including stroke, cancer, organ failure, bleeding and trauma, among others.
“Throughout our lives, our parents modelled the importance of giving back to our community,” said the couple’s daughters, Deborah (Deb) Keay and Dr. Tamara Lightbody. “Over the years, they generously gave their time, energy and resources to causes they believed would make a meaningful difference. They valued healthcare that could be provided close to home, so patients could be surrounded and supported by their families. We know they would be so honoured to have their names associated with a part of the hospital that can touch and improve many lives. The IR preparation and recovery area represents their own values of welcoming, comforting and caring, as well as gaining insight and sharing knowledge.”
The Lightbody dedication is especially meaningful given their personal connection to the care the preparation and recovery area supports. Bob passed away following a stroke in 2017, while Margie was a cancer survivor whose experience reinforced her commitment to ensuring patients could receive leading-edge care close to home, surrounded by the support of family and friends.
“Margie and Bob believed deeply in giving back to the community they loved. Their generosity has made a lasting difference for thousands of patients and families,” said Lesley Heighway, President and CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Margie and Bob’s philanthropy is a powerful reflection of lives dedicated to helping others. It will ensure future generations will benefit from leading-edge healthcare closer to home. We’re so grateful for the extraordinary legacy they have left our region.”
(Written by: Felicia Massey)
