After a serious fall left her with a broken pelvis, longtime Anacortes resident Mary, turned to Island Health.
I was scared and in so much pain,” she recalled. “But, the moment I arrived at the Island Health Emergency Department, I felt like I was in good hands. The team was calm, compassionate and skilled, and they made me feel safe.”
Mary spent days recovering in the hospital. “I had wonderful doctors who came to check on me, answer my questions and reassure me, and the nurses kept me comfortable and treated me with such kindness. “It gave me peace of mind at a time when I felt very vulnerable.”
Mary’s healing journey didn’t end at discharge. She spent weeks in Physical Therapy, where “every session felt like a step toward getting my life back.”
Determined to stay strong, Mary joined OtagoTM, a fall-prevention class offered through Island Health. “Otago has changed my life,” Mary said. “It’s given me balance, confidence and a community of support.”
“I’ve been awakened to the many ways Island Health and the Foundation support us,” Mary said. “I’ve been inspired to donate to the Foundation, and I will continue to do so. Giving is my way of saying thank you for the care I’ve received and the care I know others will need.”
Mary’s story is a powerful reminder that a fall—or any medical emergency—can change a life in an instant. But with expert care, recovery is possible. And, it’s all made stronger by generous donors like you.
Mary’s story was the inspiration for our 2025 $25,000 match funding new ultrasounds for Island Health.