Lightbody Donation Continues Legacy With Lifesaving Care At PRHC

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation recognized the extraordinary 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 on Friday.

(From left to right) Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist at PRHC; Adam Keay; Rick Murdock; Ellie Murdock; Dr. Tamara Lightbody; Deb (Deborah) Keay; Tom Keay; Lucas Murdock; Sandy Keay; Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation and Meghan Darwin, Director of Corporate Services, Diagnostic Imaging & Emergency Preparedness at PRHC.The Lightbody family celebrates the generosity of PRHC Foundation supporters Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s interventional radiology preparation and recovery space in their memory. Photo courtesy of the PRHC Foundation.

According to the PRHC Foundation, naming the IR preparation and recovery area in memory of Margie and Bob recognizes two lifelong champions of healthcare whose generosity and leadership have helped transform care for patients across our region. This 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. The 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.

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, said the PRHC.

Margie spent nine years on the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors and served as Chair of the Foundation's 2011 Closer to Care campaign, bringing cancer radiation therapy to PRHC for the first time. She was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020 for her leadership.

Margie spent years as a teacher at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. She was a member of Survivors Abreast, the host team of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival.

“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 dedication was attended by the Lightbody family, including Deb and Tamara and their spouses and children, who joined hospital and PRHC Foundation representatives to celebrate Margie and Bob’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, compassion and leadership.

“We’re especially pleased that all of their grandchildren could be here today to witness and appreciate the lasting impact of their grandparents’ example,” said Deb and Tamara. “Their legacy is reflected not only in what they gave to this community, but also in the values they instilled in our family. We couldn't be prouder.”

“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, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “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.”

The Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery space is part of a $6 million investment in IR at PRHC, made possible entirely through donor support. The expansion included new cutting-edge imaging technology, the addition of a third IR suite, and the increased preparation and recovery area that now accommodates 14 patients instead of 10. The new, larger facilities and advanced equipment mean more patients can receive faster, more accurate, lifesaving care and recover more quickly, with less pain and better outcomes. The suites are also paving the way for the future introduction of dramatic advances in patient care.

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