Latest news with #KrystynaLocke
CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
This cancer survivor celebrated her birthday by paying strangers' hospital parking fees
Krystyna Locke decided to celebrate her 63rd birthday in a very familiar place — the cancer clinic at her local hospital. The London, Ont., lymphoma survivor spent the last year fundraising to cover cancer patients' parking fees, one of the many out-of-pocket costs related to health care that can add up over time and become a burden. On Tuesday, she set up near an entrance at the London Health Sciences Centre with a stack of parking vouchers and a banner that reads: "Happy birthday to me. Your parking is free." "Today, I received hugs. I received kisses on the cheek. I shared tears with people. I shared laughter. There was joking. It just completely lightens the mood," Locke told As It Happens guest host Aarti Pole. "They're walking very heavy because they're carrying a burden, right? And when they saw my sign, they would walk up to me and, right away, a big smile on their face and they were so thankful." Locke's long cancer journey Locke can recognize that heaviness in strangers because she's experienced it herself. In 2004, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. "Walking into the cancer clinic, especially for the first time, you're terrified, you are anxious, it's unknown, and the carpet's been ripped out from under your feet," she said. "You have no idea if you're going to even survive the next year." Soon after her initial diagnosis, she says, doctors removed 26 lymph nodes from one side of her neck. But that was only the beginning of her cancer journey. Over the next two decades, she would return to the cancer clinic for regular checkups so doctors could monitor her health, until 2023, when a much more aggressive form of lymphoma developed on the other side of her neck. After that, she says, she had to undergo chemotherapy, and make more frequent visits to the London hospital's Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre. But, today, she is cancer-free. "When I was done my treatments, I just felt like I needed to do something more," she said. "I wanted to do something that would directly go to the patient. And what better way than covering their parking for the day?" Cancer's hidden costs Parking fees have long put a financial strain on patients in Canada, where health-care is free, but the associated non-medical costs are not. A Canadian Cancer Society report in December estimated cancer patients face on average almost $33,000 in out-of-pocket cancer-related costs in their lifetime, a number that's expected to rise with the cost of living. These costs, the report notes, include things like medication, lost wages, travel, caregiving, lodgings, food, and, yes, parking fees. "I've been going to the cancer clinic for over two decades, and when you're there … you do strike up conversations with other patients," Locke said. "The common theme was how long we're waiting [and] we know that that means our parking is going to cost more." At the London Health Sciences Centre, the maximum daily parking fee is $12. But at hospitals in downtown Toronto, those daily rates can be more than twice as much. A London Health Sciences Centre spokesperson acknowledged the financial burden that comes with parking fees, especially for long-term patients, but said the revenue collected goes towards the hospital's operational costs. In fact, hospitals in Ontario have to re-invest their parking fees under provincial regulations, put in place in 2016. Those rules also require institutions that charge more than $10 a day to offer patients, their family members and visitors five-day, 10-day and 30-day passes at a 50 per cent discount off the daily maximum rate. But when hospitals don't own parking lots, nearby private parking isn't subject to the rules. WATCH | The out-of-pocket costs of cancer care: Cancer costs Canadian patients $33K on average 8 months ago An NDP motion to eliminate hospital parking fees for patients, families, and health-care workers in Ontario — and cover revenue shortfalls for hospitals — was voted down in June. Nova Scotia started covering the cost of hospital parking in May for patients, health-care workers and visitors. Quebec, since 2020, has offered free parking for the first two hours at public health institutions for patients and visitors, and capped hospital parking fees at $10 a day. British Columbia ended its two-year free hospital parking in 2022, saying that too many drivers abused the system for non-health-care-related reasons. The province still covers the cost for patients receiving dialysis or cancer treatment in acute-care programs, and for parents or caregivers of children staying in the hospital overnight. While Locke says free hospital parking would be the ideal scenario, she says people who want to help ease patients' burden can do so right now by following her lead. She raised $3,700 throughout the year, first by collecting empty beer and liquor bottles from friends and family, and later by teaming up with the hospital to create a fundraising page. On Tuesday, she was able to cover parking for roughly 300 patients. "A lovely surprise," said Trish Eagleson, one of the people who received a free parking pass from Locke. "It's a wonderful initiative." While she's giving back to others, Locke says it's also a birthday gift for herself. "They brought me as much joy as I was bringing to them, because I know how they're feeling at that moment when they're walking into the clinic," she said. "It's just a wonderful feeling knowing that I was making someone happy." Locke, whose actual birthday is in July, plans to return next summer to celebrate her 64th.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘A legacy I can leave behind'
After a 20-year battle with Lymphoma, cancer survivor Krystyna Locke decided to spend her birthday this year giving back. CTV London's Lauren Stallone reports.
CTV News
12-08-2025
- Health
- CTV News
London cancer survivor celebrates birthday by covering patients' parking
Krystyna Locke is celebrating turning 63 by paying the parking fees for cancer patients. The lymphoma cancer survivor knows just how quickly those bills add up after a 20-year journey of hospital visits to London Health Sciences Centre. That's why she's raised more than $3,700 to pay for 250 parking passes today. She says the $12 maximum daily fee may not sound like a lot, but it can be a significant expense for those going to the hospital for 30 days of radiation. A Canadian Cancer Society report in December estimated cancer patients face on average almost $33,000 in out-of-pocket cancer-related costs in their lifetime, including parking fees. Some provinces are taking this matter into their own hands. Nova Scotia started covering the cost of hospital parking in May by implementing a ticket validation system for patients, health-care workers and visitors. In Ontario, an NDP motion to eliminate hospital parking fees for patients, families, and healthcare workers, and cover revenue shortfalls for hospitals, was voted down in June. Almonte General Hospital southwest of Ottawa is capping parking costs at a daily fee of $5 beginning this month.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-08-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Free Press Head Start for Aug. 12, 2025
A mix of sun and cloud. Widespread smoke late this morning and this afternoon. Wind from the west at 20 km/h. High 22 C. Humidex 25. UV index 6 or high. What's happening today Stargazers are in for a shimmering show tonight as the annual Perseid meteor shower is set to reach its peak. NASA says the fireball shower began last month and the celestial event is expected to peak tonight and tomorrow before ending on Aug. 23. The Canadian Press has more here. A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseid meteor shower in Vinton, Calif., in 2009. (Kevin Clifford / The Associated Press files) Today's must-read The union representing Millennium Library workers says it's considering taking legal action against the city to more quickly implement safety changes after a man died by suicide at the downtown library last week. The city's main library branch was closed from Thursday to Saturday afternoon after a 40-year-old man was found with 'significant injuries' Wednesday evening. Medics were called to the scene and he died in hospital. Police described the incident as 'non-suspicious' at the time; sources confirmed to the Free Press Monday that the man jumped from the fourth floor. Gord Delbridge, the president of CUPE Local 500, said the union will be sending letters to Mayor Scott Gillingham, city council and city administration to formally demand planned safety improvements — including a redesign of the facility's lobby — are expedited. Malak Abas has the story. A 40-year-old man has died after sources say he jumped from a fourth-floor ledge in the city's largest library. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) On the bright side In London, Ont., Krystyna Locke is celebrating turning 63 by paying the parking fees for cancer patients. The lymphoma cancer survivor knows just how quickly those bills add up after a 20-year journey of hospital visits to London Health Sciences Centre. That's why she's raised more than $3,700 to pay for 250 parking passes today. The Canadian Press has more here. Krystyna Locke is a lymphoma cancer survivor who is covering the cost of other patients' parking for her 63rd birthday. (Handout / London Health Sciences Foundation / The Canadian Press) On this date On Aug. 12, 1933: The Winnipeg Free Press reported a Manitoba coroner's jury found an elderly pensioner's death near Gardenton was the result of a violent assault; police were searching for the perpetrator. Cuban armed forces demanded the resignation within 24 hours of president Gerardo Machado. Several villages along the northern coast of Newfoundland were evacuated as strong winds blew a wall of fire toward the settlements. Read the rest of this day's paper here. Search our archives for more here. Today's front page Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Free Press .
Global News
12-08-2025
- Health
- Global News
Ontario cancer survivor celebrates birthday by paying for patients' hospital parking
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Krystyna Locke is celebrating turning 63 by paying the parking fees for cancer patients. The lymphoma cancer survivor knows just how quickly those bills add up after a 20-year journey of hospital visits to London Health Sciences Centre. That's why she's raised more than $3,700 to pay for 250 parking passes today. She says the $12 maximum daily fee may not sound like a lot, but it can be a significant expense for those going to the hospital for 30 days of radiation. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A Canadian Cancer Society report in December estimated cancer patients face on average almost $33,000 in out-of-pocket cancer-related costs in their lifetime, including parking fees. Some provinces are taking this matter into their own hands. Nova Scotia started covering the cost of hospital parking in May by implementing a ticket validation system for patients, health-care workers and visitors. Story continues below advertisement In Ontario, an NDP motion to eliminate hospital parking fees for patients, families, and healthcare workers, and cover revenue shortfalls for hospitals, was voted down in June. Almonte General Hospital southwest of Ottawa is capping parking costs at a daily fee of $5 beginning this month.
