J&B Carroll Family Foundation is at the Heart of it All

From left, Lisa Draper, Kevin, a Cardiac Dept. echocradiogram technician,
David Draper and Barbara and John Carroll.

The Heart of it All campaign recently received a generous gift from the J&B Carroll Family Foundation, when John Carroll, his wife Barbara, and their daughter Lisa Draper and her husband David visited Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. They presented a cheque for $10,000 on Dec. 9, during a tour of the hospital's cardiac department.

The foundation is a true family effort for the past 10 years with all of the Carroll children participating in turns each year to select a charity to support. This year Lisa and David selected the Heart of it All campaign (HoiA) after hearing about the need for new echocardiogram machines and the advanced technology that will help patients and even save lives through the Rouge Valley Health System's cardiac program.

"We wanted to go with a local (cause) and the hospital made the most sense," says Lisa. "With dad's background, with his heart, it was a great fit to support this campaign."

By her 'dad's heart' Lisa is referring to Mr. Carroll, who was diagnosed with serious Angina in his early 50’s.  His cardiologist was a graduate of Emery University in Atlanta, Georgia.  He asked Mr. Carroll if he would be willing to be a “guinea pig” for a new procedure called Angioplasty.

As Lisa explains, a Canadian cardiologist successfully executed an angioplasty on Mr. Carroll, and now 27 years later, the Carroll family is grateful to the doctor who created the “balloon and garden hose” operation.  That year (1984), only about 10,000 angioplastys were performed, compared to the millions performed today.  

The angioplasty saved his life, Lisa says, and adds it is the Family Foundation’s hope that the superior technology of 3D echocardiogram machines will save many more lives as well as serve as an excellent early detection diagnostic tool.  

 After touring the cardiac department with HoiA co-chair Dr. Paul Galiwango, and seeing how their donation will be used and how the department works, Mr. Carroll says "I want a 3-D echo!"

"I think this is fabulous, I was impressed," Mr. Carroll adds. "The place is immaculate and as a patient, you have a better chance of recovery here." 

Mr. Carroll adds that the family foundation's objective is to get the whole family involved. They have supported a number of causes and health care organizations over the years. He is excited that his grand children will soon be taking part in selecting and learning about charities.

Lisa had toured the hospital prior to the donation and they made their pitch to the family to endorse the HoiA campaign last August. Hearing her daughter speak passionately about her choice for the donation, and having seen first hand the cardiac department, Mrs. Carroll, says "I think you've made a great choice."

For his part, Mr. Draper, who owns his own business in Ajax, Dreamscape Renovations, says he was impressed by how modern the hospital is, compared to prior years when he'd visited.

"It's always had a great reputation in the community, but you didn't hear much about it over the years."

The HoiA campaign and the RVHS Foundation would like to express their appreciation to the J&B Carroll Family Foundation for this donation. Your support will truly echo a lifetime.