Bringing comfort to patients with cancer
Small can be big. Jason Fiorotto appreciates this notion all too well.
When Jason’s wife Tory passed away from cancer in 2017, he wanted to focus on the positive, as difficult as that might seem. Jason knew that doing so would require him to focus on small actions each day that would lead to a big impact in other ways.
Together with extended family and friends, The Tory Day fund was established to fulfill one of Tory’s final wishes: to bring comfort to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Even at a highly specialized, world-class cancer program, like the one within Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre, finding some level of comfort to ease the challenges that come with cancer treatment is essential.
Having a comfortable place to sit may seem like a small thing. For patients with cancer, the ability to recline while receiving treatment is big. With Tory’s experience in mind, Jason focused his efforts and energy on raising funds in support of enhancing patient comforts. One such initiative has been the replacement of existing chemotherapy chairs with new models that recline to allow patients to rest more easily while receiving treatment.
Last month, 14 new treatment chairs were installed at the Odette Cancer Centre, bringing the total to 34 chairs. “When you can show how someone’s small investment collectively adds up, it really makes a strong impression,” Jason says.
One such example is at Tory’s former workplace. As part of a charitable campaign at IBM, employees – including many of Tory’s colleagues – are able to make ongoing donations through payroll deductions.
Fundraising for the Tory Day Fund looks much different now than when Jason started out. Yet, as Jason emphasizes, the effect is still significant. Whether it’s gathering for Tory’s Table, an intimate dinner party event where guests enjoy a four-course gourmet meal, or bidding on a week-long summer stay at the cozy cottage Jason and Tory purchased in Haliburton, Tory’s vision of providing comfort to cancer patients continues to live on in meaningful ways. “Small things are what has continued on. And as we all know, every dollar counts,” Jason says.
When it comes to finding motivation to channel the grief over losing a loved one to something more positive, Jason suggests taking it one step at time. “The act of doing something is very powerful. Some days we did very little, but if you can find a way to do something, every day, your bad days will be less frequent.” Admittedly, it has taken a tremendous amount of work.
For Jason, making a difference and maintaining hope has been a strong focal point that keeps him and his family going. “My daughter and I are generally positive people,” shares Jason. “I am very goal-oriented and I want the lives of those around me to be positive.”
Jason says the future of the Tory Day Fund will explore potential new avenues, like education for medical students focused on the patient experience. In the same way Tory cared deeply about others, Jason is carrying on his late wife’s legacy in making the cancer journey easier for thousands of patients at Sunnybrook. “We want to continue to have a lasting impact,” he says.
To learn more about how you can launch your own fundraiser to support Sunnybrook, contact events@sunnybrook.ca or visit Sunnybrook Foundation for more information.
