Cancer Care employee wins trip to NYC – and pays it forward

Wanda Peel is one of a kind. An administrative agent at the MUHC’s Cancer Care Mission, Wanda acted on a gut feeling in September and entered a radio contest to win a trip to New York City. “The host asked why she should choose us,” recalls Wanda.  “I was inspired.  I thought if I win, I will take a nurse and I planned to take someone I didn’t know well and hopefully inspire someone else.” 

Wanda’s entry struck a chord. “We received over 3,000 applicants,” says The Beat Brand Specialist Olivia Bourgeois. “Wanda’s application was a no-brainer. Her kindness and honesty are what made (radio announcer) Donna Saker dial her number.” Thirty winners (15 callers and their plus ones) won an all-expense paid trip to New York, courtesy of The Beat and Voyages Gendron.  

With her win clinched, Wanda needed a companion. “I went through all the nurses I work with in Oncology Day Centre, Palliative Care, D9 and D10 and I put their names in a box. There were more than 200 names. I didn’t know any of them and I said whoever I choose will come on this trip.”  Long-time Cancer Care Mission Nurse Carmie Baldassarre was the lucky winner. “They say angels only exist in heaven, but there are also angels here on earth and Wanda is definitely one,” says Carmie. She describes her initial phone call as one of the most unusual and emotional conversations she’s ever had. “I wondered why Wanda, of all people, was calling me. I was totally shocked,” Carmie admits.  “I said: ’Are you sure?  Me, of all people? You don’t even know me.’  I feel like I was being blessed for all the times I took care of my palliative care patients.” 

A friendship made in New York

Wanda’s random act of kindness laid the groundwork for a lasting friendship. “I will never forget it,” says Carmie.  “It has inspired me and opened my eyes. It’s amazing to give spontaneously like this and enrich someone’s life.”  

For Wanda, this contest gave her the opportunity to pay tribute to her late mother who was a nurse and an aunt who was studying nursing, but tragically died before completing her studies. “If you can see how hard these nurses work.  They are remarkable. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. This is where I am supposed to be (Cancer Care Mission) and I am so grateful.”  

Season’s greetings! 

Listen to Wanda learn she has won a trip to New York City!