For 16 years Cambridge Memorial has been part of my life.
A BIG part of my life.
97 scans
434 treatments
1,400 lab tests
More than 486 visits to the hospital.
My name is Lori and my cancer journey has taught me the importance of care close to home, and having a medical team I can rely on.
It started with something small. A feeling. A lump. The kind of moment you hope will pass. But it didn’t. And suddenly, life became a blur of appointments, tests, and waiting.
Through it all, one thing became clear very quickly. CMH was here for me. The team moved fast. They listened. They acted. And they stayed with me through it all, the good, the bad and the unexpected.
Five years later, when cancer returned, I didn’t have to start over somewhere new. The people here already knew me. They understood what I had been through, and they stepped in again without hesitation.
Over time, my care has been supported by many departments – Diagnostic Imaging, Lab, Pharmacy, Medical Day Clinic, Emergency, and Surgery. But what stays with me most is not just where I went, it’s who was there. The technician who could tell I was nervous and took an extra moment. The nurse who remembered my name. The team that never gave up on me, even on the days I felt like giving up on myself.
That kind of care matters more than I can explain.
Because when you are going through something like this, the burden is already heavy enough. The last thing you should have to do is leave your community, your family, and everything familiar, just to get the care you need. Years ago, that might have been the case. Today it isn’t, because of donors like you.
Care is here. Close to home.
That has meant everything to me. More nights in my own bed. More time with the people I love. Less time driving to appointments, waiting, and feeling alone. And more
strength to keep going.
Knowing my CMH team is here when I need them, allows me to face each day with hope.
This journey hasn’t been easy. But every day I live with immense gratitude for my family – my son Luke, my grandson Levi and my life partner, Richard. My loved ones. . . they
are my reasons to keep going, my reminder of what matters, and my strength on the hardest days.
As I write this, I’m still in treatment and living my best life. And that life includes time at our cottage, concerts, Blue Jays games, travelling, and an occasional ice
cream with my grandson.
This story isn’t just about me. It’s about what people like you make possible for all of us.
And that’s why I want to share something important. My strength doesn’t just come from my family. It comes from knowing that others care.
Because one day, it could be anyone walking through CMH doors. It could be you or someone you love.
Before all of this, I never imagined how much I would rely on this hospital. But because of donor generosity, CMH has the equipment and technology to provide care, close to home. That is something I will never take for granted.
Did you know that 100% of medical equipment at Cambridge Memorial Hospital is funded by donations? Every gift helps ensure more patients and families can receive the care they need, right here. It helps support the teams who show up every day for patients like me. And it helps ensure CMH is ready for whatever comes next – for all of us.
I have always said that if I can help, I will.
I am asking you to join me in making a difference . . . because care close to home changes everything.
With gratitude,
Lori Hall Duarte
Partner, Mom, Nana and CMH Patient
Lori and her family