Family gives hope to patients in Ketchikan to honor a family member

It started like any other summer. Cornelia “Pinky” Brindle had spent nearly 40 such seasons in Ketchikan, Alaska with her family, tending their business, Ward Cove Cannery, and deepening their ties to the community.

The summer of 2003 was different. Pinky was feeling tired and having trouble catching her breath. Back home in Seattle, she learned she had cancer. The fight was on and it was not an easy one. What helped ease her cancer experience was going to a resource center—a place of respite and retreat along with the support of a chaplain.

After a five-year battle with cancer, Pinky passed away in 2008. Her husband, Alec Brindle, Sr. and their son, Alec Jr., wanted to honor her memory in a way that would help others. They knew how important a resource center and chaplain services were to Pinky and the family during her treatment.

The people of Ketchikan had no access to such services for themselves or their loved ones experiencing cancer. This became the inspiration for the Brindle’s generous gift to the Ketchikan Medical Center foundation toward building the Cornelia A. Brindle Cancer Resource Center.

“Everyone knows someone touched by cancer. Everyone can do something. Our gift helps support families and shows our moral support for people in the front lines helping care for those with cancer,” shares Alec Brindle, Jr.

The Brindle’s gift honors Pinky’s life and creates a lasting connection to the community she loved so well, serving the patients, families and caregivers of Ketchikan touched by cancer.

Read more about philanthropic gifts to PeaceHealth in the 2018 Impact Report.