A Guardian of Our Community –
Celebrating a Legacy of Compassion, Commitment and Caring
Our community recently lost a bright light with the passing of Carol Young.
Carol was fiercely passionate, dedicated to helping those in need and genuinely committed to her community. The IWK and the IWK Foundation were fortunate to benefit from these powerful attributes and would not be the organizations they are today without her by our side.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Carol and her team of supporters were the force that brought the IWK Telethon for Children to our region 39 years ago. Not only does the Telethon continue to thrive, it unites our community from all corners of the Maritimes. It allows us to tell the story of the IWK, a story that also touched Carol and her late husband John.
It was here that they found parenthood with their son Michael and for 12 precious years he was the centre of their universe. Although Michael was taken from them far too soon, his story continues through the thousands of other patients who benefitted from Carol’s steadfast commitment to the IWK. She helped lay a foundation of trust and caring for these children and their families who rely on and deserve the world-class care at the IWK.
We often say that the IWK is the hospital built by the community. This is further evidenced by Carol’s sheer conviction that Maritimers have a big heart, generous nature and innate commitment to doing what is right. Connected through the power of storytelling, Carol brought our community together to support and give back to the very place that gave so much to her.
She was once quoted as saying that the care her son Michael received and the support that was given to her was second to none. She went on to say that it takes very special people to look after sick children.
Carol was truly the IWK’s special person and for that we will be eternally grateful.
The IWK was so fortunate to have benefitted from this remarkable woman. She was passionate about life and her can-do attitude still guides us today.
On behalf of the IWK family and our entire Maritime community, a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Carol for being our Guardian among us. Her powerful legacy will live on to care for children and their families, both now and for future generations. It will unfold through the generosity of our donors, the world-class care at the IWK and the compassion and commitment of its incredible team.
A story as great as Carol’s will continue to write the next chapter of the history of the IWK.
Her spirit will forever soar through its halls and our hearts.
