DONORS STORY

Uniting for Global Health:

One Ottawa Family’s Pledge to Sheba Medical Center
When values align, actions follow — a truth beautifully exemplified by Lynda Nadolny, Bruce Cowley, Elen Churney, and Carolyn Ross, a family from Ottawa whose philanthropic spirit has found resonance at Sheba Medical Center. Their journey with Sheba is a story of shared ideals and a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others across the globe.

“Sheba inspires us to do better, to repair the world in our own small way. To treat others in the way we want to be treated. I can’t set up a field hospital, but I can do one little thing that will make one person’s life a little bit better- and that’s how we repair the world,” These poignant words from the family reflect a deep connection to Sheba’s mission of healing and humanity.

The seed of this partnership was planted two years ago, nurtured by a mutual friend’s introduction, and blossomed into a profound bond. On a memorable visit to Israel, Lynda and Bruce experienced Sheba’s impact first-hand. “We were completely blown away,” Lynda recollects, an experience that inspired them to become ambassadors of Sheba’s vision back in Ottawa.

Bruce and Lynda’s advocacy is driven by the recognition of Sheba’s role on the world stage. Bruce admires Sheba’s extensive influence and ability to stimulate global cooperation. Lynda, struck by the center’s embrace of all cultures and religions, sees Sheba as a model of coexistence, an eye-opener to Israel’s vibrant, diverse character. This commitment, as Bruce notes, is a natural extension of Sheba’s core principle of Tikkun Olam.

The family’s encounter with Sheba’s outreach efforts, particularly the establishment of a field hospital in Ukraine, has left an indelible mark. “I’ll take that message home. It’s truly inspiring and moving,” says Lynda. Bruce added: “Looking after our fellow human beings is a fundamental responsibility that I think we all have. It is this responsibility that drove Sheba to send a medical team to Ukraine and Peru and send a disaster response team to Haiti after an earthquake. We are our brothers’ keepers. We look after each other, and I’m inspired by the fact that Israelis do that better than anybody else. It makes us all proud and motivates us to play a role in this endeavor.”

As we share their story, we are reminded of the powerful influence a single family can exert in the pursuit of global health and unity. The Canadian Friends of Sheba are profoundly grateful to Lynda, Bruce, Elen, and Carolyn for their kindness and support. Their contributions are a beacon of hope and solidarity, empowering us to continue our work with even greater resolve.

ABOUT US

Why Sheba?

The Canadian Friends of Sheba Medical Center is a registered charity based in Toronto committed to supporting the vital work of Sheba Medical Center, a global healthcare leader and the largest, most comprehensive hospital in Israel as well as the Middle East.

In addition to raising awareness and philanthropic support for Sheba’s humanitarian initiatives, compassionate care, cutting-edge research, and medical education activities, we are proud to serve as the medical center’s Canadian ambassador, helping foster collaborations that serve the people of Canada, Israel, and the world.

It has been a privilege to contribute to Sheba’s transformative global efforts, and with your help, we will continue doing so for the benefit of patients everywhere.

Whether helping those most in need or advancing healthcare globally:
when you support Sheba, you are making a difference.