A legacy of caring: Margie and Bob Lightbody’s lasting gift to patient care

A newly dedicated space at Peterborough Regional Health Centre will stand as a lasting tribute to Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody, whose generosity will help support expert, compassionate care for patients and their families for generations to come.

Recently, PRHC Foundation was honoured to name the Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery area in memory of the couple and their philanthropy, including a special gift Margie made on behalf of her and Bob just before her passing in 2022. That donation fulfilled their wish to make one final, significant investment in the future of patient care in their community. It 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.

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 from which they 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.

The Lightbodys’ support of IR reflected the couple’s vision for healthcare in our region, as well as their own healthcare experiences. Throughout their lives, Margie and Bob felt strongly that patients should be able to access world-class care close to home, surrounded by the comfort and support of loved ones. Bob passed away following a stroke in 2017, while Margie was once a cancer care patient.

“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,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “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.”

Margie dedicated nine years of volunteer leadership to the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as Chair for the Foundation’s Closer to Care campaign in 2011, bringing cancer radiation therapy to PRHC for the first time. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and service, she was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020. She was an original member of Survivors Abreast, the host team of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival. Together, Margie and Bob also supported several areas of care at PRHC, including cancer and mental health. Their kindness, leadership and compassion continue to inspire everyone who knew them.

“Throughout our lives, our parents modelled the importance of giving back to our community,” say the couple’s daughters, Deb (Deborah) 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.”

Deb and Tamara attended the dedication celebration with their spouses and children. Hospital and PRHC Foundation representatives joined them to honour Margie and Bob’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, compassion and leadership.

“We’re especially pleased that all of their grandchildren could be here together to witness and appreciate the lasting impact of their grandparents’ example,” say 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.”

Thank you to the Lightbody family. Your generosity is certainly helping to support care close to home in our region.

Photo: 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. The family was joined by hospital and Foundation representatives to celebrate Margie and Bob’s impact on patient care. From left to right are, 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.

Hitting all the right notes as Pay to Play radiothon raises $17,515 for PRHC

The Hustle and Heart Oldies 96.7 (now 96.7 WOW FM) Pay to Play radiothon, presented by Home Instead, hit all the right notes this year, raising $17,515 in support of patient care at PRHC.

On Friday, June 5, the airwaves were filled with more than just classic hits, favourite themes and personal anthems. Every song request, dedication and inspiring patient story reminded us what makes our community so special: people coming together to make a real difference for each other.

As part of the Campaign for PRHC, the radiothon was a true team effort. 96.7 host Bill Porter kept the music and the momentum going all day long, while the MBC team, generous sponsors, grateful patients, dedicated fundraisers, PRHC leadership, physicians, nurses, staff, Foundation supporters and music lovers across the region all played an important role in making the radiothon a success.

We’re grateful to presenting sponsor, Home Instead, for helping bring this event to life and to our outstanding hourly sponsors: the Santos Auto Group, including Mercedes-Benz Peterborough, Port Hope Volkswagen, Port Hope Chrysler and Port Hope Hyundai, The Wilson Team-Real Estate, Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory, Whelans Flooring Centre and Suzi HomeMaker Ptbo.

A big thank you to everyone who donated, requested a song, shared a personal story or made a special dedication. Together, you’re helping fund state-of-the-art equipment, bring lifesaving new services to our region, fuel innovation and attract the talented healthcare professionals our community depends on. That’s music to all our ears!

Thanks to donor support, patients can access Endoscopic Ultrasound closer to home

When the first procedure using Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) was performed at PRHC in March 2026, it marked more than the introduction of new technology. It represented a major milestone made possible by the generosity of donors, one that is already improving care for patients from across our region.

The first EUS procedure at PRHC was performed by gastroenterologist Dr. Olufemi Aoko, using specialized, donor-funded equipment. EUS combines an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera) and ultrasound technology to create detailed, real-time images of the gastrointestinal tract and nearby organs, including the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. It helps physicians diagnose complex conditions, stage cancers, guide biopsies and plan treatment with greater precision.

Until now, patients who needed this advanced procedure had to travel to other hospitals, often while facing significant uncertainty about their diagnosis. Today, thanks to donor support, they can receive this care much closer to home, surrounded by family and loved ones.

“Before EUS was launched at PRHC, we would have had to send patients to other hospitals,” says Dr. Aoko, who joined PRHC in October 2025. “Having access to this technology was a big selling point for me when deciding to come to Peterborough.”

“Every gift to PRHC Foundation helps make moments like this possible,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Your generosity is helping PRHC grow specialized programs, attract exceptional physicians like Dr. Aoko and ensure families in our region have access to the best possible care without travelling so far. We’re so grateful for every donor who is making that future possible.”

Requesting a consolidated or duplicate 2025 charitable donation receipt

Blue heart icon with hospital icon inside

With tax season just around the corner, the PRHC Foundation is supporting our donors with their 2025 charitable donation receipts. Consolidated donation receipts for eligible donors are being prepared and will be mailed no later than February 27, 2026. Please allow up to 10 days for Canada Post delivery. If you’re expecting a consolidated receipt and it hasn’t arrived by March 13, please call us at 705-876-5000 or send us an email.

If you’re requesting a duplicate 2025 charitable donation receipt that was previously issued, please contact us with your full name, mailing address and the donation amount made to the PRHC Foundation in 2025. Once we receive your details, we’ll reissue your receipt and mail or email it to you within 10 business days.

Thank you for your continued support!

Celebrating donors’ $6 million reimagination of interventional radiology at PRHC

On December 9, 2025, donors gathered at Peterborough Regional Health Centre with the PRHC Foundation and members of the hospital’s leadership team to celebrate the official completion of the Campaign for PRHC’s $6 million investment in interventional radiology (IR) made possible by the generosity of our regional community.

Guests toured the bright, modern spaces where PRHC’s IR team now performs some of today’s most advanced minimally invasive procedures. It was an opportunity to see the new, cutting-edge technology and better understand the impact that donations are having on patient care at PRHC.

“This is a transformative moment for patient care at PRHC,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Because of you, the Health Centre’s experts have the advanced tools and space they need to perform even more complex, minimally invasive procedures right here, while innovating for the future. Thank you!”

Interventional radiology is a fast-growing field. Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, PRHC Interventional Radiologist says, “Interventional radiology is the future of medicine. Using real-time imaging technologies such as CT, X-ray and ultrasound, we perform procedures through a tiny incision, using only needles, wires, and catheters. This means less pain, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays compared to conventional surgery. We’re so grateful to the donors for their generosity. Their support means we can deliver even better care in our region.”

The renovation and upgrade were made possible through a multi-year fundraising effort championed by grateful patient ambassadors, PRHC’s interventional radiologists, nurses and medical radiation technologists, hospital leadership, and donors from across the region. This collaboration raised an extraordinary $6 million to expand PRHC’s two existing IR suites, replace out-of-date equipment with state-of-the-art imaging technology, and add a third suite dedicated to rapid, high-demand procedures. The preparation and recovery area was also expanded to accommodate 14 patients instead of ten.

Before this advancement, PRHC’s five interventional radiologists, who work on a 24/7 rotation, were already performing more than 6,000 procedures a year. Now, on a typical day, they’re equipped to care for 20 to 25 patients suffering from critical conditions such as cancer, stroke, organ failure, bleeding and trauma, among others.

As a regional hospital, PRHC’s IR team supports a population of more than 300,000 people across Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Peterborough, and North Hastings County. With the new suites, PRHC is better positioned to meet the growing regional demand for minimally invasive care, enhance patient outcomes, continue attracting and retaining top medical talent, and pave the way for the future introduction of new minimally invasive treatment options.

“Donor vision and support have once again proven to be a driving force behind innovation at PRHC,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO of PRHC. “Together, we’re reimagining what’s possible for patients from across our region. Thank you so much.”

BWXT Peterborough raises an incredible $100,000 for cancer care at PRHC

We are grateful to BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.’s Peterborough team for their extraordinary generosity. Through the dedication and community spirit of their employees, BWXT Peterborough raised an incredible $100,000 in support of reimagining cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

This generosity will help PRHC invest in state-of-the-art cancer care technology like digital pathology.

Did you know?

PRHC’s pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing cancer by examining tissue and blood samples. Traditionally, this work requires a microscope and physical slides. With digital pathology, pathologists can instead view high-resolution digital images on a computer monitor.

This advancement means:

  • Faster, more accurate diagnoses
  • Easier collaboration, with digital images securely shared and reviewed by specialists anywhere in the world
  • Greater efficiency, helping experts make timely decisions for patients and their families

Thank you BWXT for investing in the future of cancer care at PRHC. Your generosity is helping patients receive world-class care close to home, when it matters most.

Another record-breaking year for Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival

On October 6, the PRHC Foundation welcomed members of the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee, the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, paddlers, volunteers and supporters, to celebrate the Festival’s historic achievement: A record-breaking donation of $400,104.01 – the largest single gift in the Festival’s history!

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