Dedications - back

Dedicated To: Derek Flatman
Dedicated By: Dennis Flatman
Age: deceased

My twin brother and I didn't really see eye to eye on most things. We were very different people. But there was one thing we both finally agreed upon, and it's something my five year old daughter says way too often; "It's just not fair!"

It's not fair he was dying of cancer at 44.

It's not fair he was only three years away from retirement from the Toronto Police Force.

It's not fair he was leaving three daughters.

It's not fair he was given only three days to live after his biopsy.

It's not fair he would never leave the hospital for his final three weeks.

I visited the hospital every day for what became his final three weeks, and was amazed by the exceptional quality of the care given by the nurses. I also discovered how much they rely on donations.

The many friends and family who visited Derek made donations to the hospital cancer ward, and within two months a quiet room in the ward was created dedicated to my brother. It's a comfortable room where friends and family can get away for a few moments.

All it took was a small amount of money from a not so large number of people to make a huge difference.

So let's open our wallets and donate what we can. If we don't...it just wouldn't be fair.