Penny's very large circle of friends, colleagues and family are constantly reminded of how strong, and how brave one person can actually be. What this woman has been through since day one does not seem possible. As we sit here tonight and write this out it is impossible to put into words how much Penny deserves our support. Our Penny is currently ICU and putting up one of the biggest fights of her life - and trust us there have been many. We need your prayers, positive thoughts, positive energy and any bit of support that you can offer to Penny. Now more than ever she needs to be shown how many people she has in her corner.
Penny was born with congenital exstrophy of the bladder. This is when the skin over the lower abdominal wall does not form properly, and the bladder is open and exposed on the outside of the abdomen.  Penny was born in PEI, but spent most of her childhood in the paediatric unit in Halifax, away from her family. She had numerous surgeries but this only made her stronger and more determined to overcome any set back, Thankfully Penny must have had some pretty good nurses growing up because she found her calling!!! 
Following her launch from Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown PEI, Penny graduated from the Prince Edward Island School of Nursing in 1979. She began her nursing career in Halifax at Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre in Paediatrics. Shortly thereafter she met the love of her life Stephen Frederick at a card game!!! After a short 4 months of dating, she wasn't going to let this prince get away and she moved to Ontario with him. After a few more health set backs and a couple more surgeries Penny continued on full steam ahead, you would have no idea what all she had been through. 
Upon Penny's arrival to Ontario, she worked at  Memorial Children's Hospital in London. Then worked in Urology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and subsequently began her career in Diabetes Education at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough.  A quote from one of her co workers and friend "Penny's warm smile, sense of humor and grace, have always made her a wonderful colleague."

Even with all her own health management she had to deal with daily,  she had a very successful career as a nurse, she got married, and then in December 1991 her and her husband Steve got their most precious gift - they adopted their darling Olivia.
As a mother, a wife, and a wonderful nurse, Penny continued to give and to grow. In 1995 she dedicated her time to develop and implement the Diabetes Education Program at St. Joseph's Health Care Centre in Peterborough - and we never let her go!!! 

We can assure you Penny means so much to so many people, and at his time in her life she needs to get well! Penny has had a life time of overcoming the odds, she has had a life time of surgeries, a transplant, flesh eating disease, the list goes on and on. But one thing always remains a constant of Penny - Penny never gives up, she is the strongest bravest person you could ever meet. She came to work, she worked hard, and she was thankful for every good day she had. She got a kidney from her husband in 1999 and she cherished that kidney each and every day.
Unfortunately Penny had to retire a year ago due to illness. Financially it was not a good time for her, but essentially she had no choice. This year has been beyond tough for Penny and her husband. In this past year Penny has had to start dialysis, she has had many lengthy hospitalizations, she has ran into significant cardiac issues. Her devoted husband, her rock, has not had a full nights sleep in a very long time. He has had to be off work to help take care of her, to learn all the dialysis machines so they can do the dialysis at home, as well as to drive her back and forth to her many medical appointments. Right now Penny is sitting in ICU looking beat up and wore out, and she needs us. She needs to be reminded how much she means to everyone and how many people out there want to help her fight her way back to health. 
When talking to Penny about why we want to do this for her, her first response was "Wouldn't it be great if we could get more education and awareness out there about organ donation?" Which just proves what an amazing person she is, never putting herself first. But honestly Penny wants to be healthy not just for herself, but for her daughter and future son-in-law who are getting married May 2019, and for her husband of 37 years. Penny's main goals are to be well enough to dance the night away at her daughters wedding, to enjoy retirement with her husband, and to enjoy many years of kisses and cuddles from all the precious grandchildren Olivia has promised her!
So Penny our darling Princess of Pink and Purple Perfection - this is for you! From all the people in your life that absolutely love and adore you! We are here to fight this fight with you. Be Strong, Be Beautiful, Be You, because WE LOVE YOU!!!
And of course to include Penny's only one wish in all of this - everyone please sign your donor cards!!! It really does save a life, save a mother, save a wife, save a daughter, save a sister, save a friend, save a hero!
beadonor.ca