The late Ethel Marie Moncrief (McLellan) Birkenshaw was a trailblazer in both her personal and professional life. She was a dedicated volunteer and a passionate advocate for education and health care. Ethel chose to make a generous gift of $1 million to UHN in her will, supporting the Jack Birkenshaw Fund for Lewy Body Dementia Research at UHN, established in 2016 in honor of her late husband, John (Jack) Birkenshaw.
Understanding Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This neurodegenerative disorder is marked by protein deposits called Lewy bodies in brain nerve cells, affecting thinking, memory and movement. Symptoms include cognitive decline, visual hallucinations and movement issues similar to Parkinson’s disease. While there is no cure yet, ongoing research aims to find better treatments and understand the disease’s progression.
Advancing research at UHN
Research at UHN is making significant strides in understanding LBD, uncovering new insights into the mechanisms of the disease. These advancements offer hope for improved treatments and quality of life for those affected by this challenging condition.
The Jack Birkenshaw Fund for Lewy Body Dementia Research continues to drive critical research efforts at UHN. Ethel’s generosity through her estate gift will enable researchers to explore new therapies and enhance the quality of life for those affected by LBD.
A life of breaking barriers
Ethel, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 95 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, was the first woman to graduate in her chosen subjects of Political Science and Economics from Queen’s University in 1948, breaking barriers and setting new standards. Her career was marked by several significant firsts, including her first full-time job as a security analyst for a large insurance company, where she was the first woman to hold this position.
Ethel later took on increasingly senior roles in public service, including spearheading the development of the first Women’s Directorate. She was appointed a deputy minister in 1981 and continued as Deputy as the Chair of the Ontario Civil Service Commission and ultimately as Chair of the Public Sector Pension of Ontario. During their lives, Ethel and Jack were dedicated philanthropists – evidenced by their support of numerous charitable organizations and commitment to advancing health care.
Ethel’s gift to the Jack Birkenshaw Fund for Lewy Body Dementia Research will impact countless patients and their families touched by LBD.
Did you know?
More than 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia, a number that is expected to double by 2035. Globally, 10 million people are diagnosed with dementia every year.
No one ever changed the world on their own but when the bright minds at UHN work together with donors we can redefine the world of health care together.
