Humble, kind and generous, with a loving and warm smile. That’s how anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with Patricia Morsky remembers her. Despite a long and arduous battle with cancer, Patricia’s generosity and compassion shone through and were evident in her daily actions. These values continue to live on today through her husband Brian and four children; Bryce, Blake, Erica and Mark.

In 1999 Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer. With her positive attitude never wavering, Patricia underwent multiple treatments for her cancer until her doctors believed that it had gone into remission. Unfortunately, 10 years after receiving the positive news of her cancer’s remission, Patricia started feeling some discomfort once again. A follow up medical appointment would confirm that her cancer had returned, but this time more aggressively. Patricia would undergo several more treatments and surgeries over the years, and through her strong will, unwavering spirit and resiliency, would fight the disease until her passing on December 20th, 2019.

“She was always thinking of others, and would often respond ‘I’m fine. I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.’ when someone asked her how she was doing,” Brian Morsky tells us. “Her unselfish, loving and giving nature is why we want to give back to Hospitals of Regina Foundation. If even one person can be helped by our gift, then Pat and all of us would agree it was worth it.”

Each year, the Breast Assessment Centre at Regina’s Pasqua Hospital performs an average of 4,800 breast exams and 600 biopsies. After their own experience and upon realizing how many people depend on this Centre each year, in 2020 Brian and his family generously donated over $100,000 towards the purchase of a new Digital Breast Tomosynthesis unit, also known as 3D mammography. This technology is better able to detect smaller breast cancer tumors with more accuracy and fewer false-positives. In order to help the Foundation raise the funds needed for this urgent technology sooner, the Morsky Family made a second pledge of $100,000 in 2021 to match new donations from the community.

“Pat spent a lot of time receiving treatment at the Pasqua Hospital and it held a special place in her heart.” Brian explains. “They treated her so well there over the years and despite being a patient, Pat always felt guilty for needing services and wanted to give back however she could. To know how many people this technology will help at the Breast Assessment Centre would have meant so much to her.”

“The Foundation greatly appreciates the Morsky family, and their support of women’s health care at the Breast Assessment Centre,” says Jessica Rawn, director, development, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “Their generous gift towards this essential technology will continue to help our health care teams deliver the best care possible to the people of southern Saskatchewan."