Matthew Wigston

Matthew’s Story

When your child is ill, you want to know that they are receiving the very best treatment and patient care available. Sam Wigston knows that these are found right here at The Ottawa Hospital.

In June 1999, Sam’s son Matthew developed what seemed like a bad cold that wouldn’t go away. After months of testing and doctor’s visits, the diagnosis was bleak. Matthew had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.

Sam and his wife, Karen, sought advice from friends and relatives in the health care field, willing to take their son anywhere in the world to find the best care. But, as they discovered, “there was no better place for Matthew than here at The Ottawa Hospital,” says Sam. And they never doubted that the medical staff cared deeply for Matthew and for them. Unfortunately, Matthew’s cancer was more than medicine and spirit could conquer. In June 2001, he died at home at the age of 26.

From this tragedy came a desire to do something for others. The family set up the Matthew Wigston Memorial Endowment Fund to purchase things like games and movies to keep patients occupied during lengthy treatments and waiting periods.

“This is our way of becoming more involved in making life better and more meaningful for us and for others.”