A beloved and celebrated member of the community in Oakville, Darcy Miller lost his battle with cancer in 2016.

But his memory and legacy still lives, and it will help make the experience of those undergoing chemotherapy at Portage District General Hospital more comfortable in the future.

Miller Agritec Seeds is supporting Portage District General Hospital Foundation (PDGHF) in its efforts to replace treatment chairs in the hospital's chemotherapy department. The company recently made a contribution that will allow PDGHF to purchase two new chairs.

Andrea Miller, the wife of the late Darcy, says as a wife of a former patient in the chemo ward at the hospital, this is something she felt she needed to do.

“When I heard Erin Miller and the Foundation were doing this for the hospital, I felt I needed to do this just because we spent a lot of time in the chemo ward in Portage,” Andrea says. “My husband had been through this. It's something I feel very strongly about. Because (patients) are going through a lot. And this is something to make it more comfortable and easier for them and for staff.”

“The chemo staff are amazing day-in and day-out,” Andrea continues. “They have a very tough job and they're always so kind and caring. A huge thank you to Erin and the hospital foundation who work so hard to make improvements not only to the chemo ward but all areas of the hospital.”

PDGHF executive director Erin Miller says the campaign to replace six chairs in the hospital's chemotherapy department is going well. Just over one week into the public outreach work, the Foundation has already fundraised enough to replace four of the six chairs.

“Darcy was an amazing man and the Miller family is amazing,” the PDGHF executive director says. “The contribution in honour of Darcy will mean a lot to those who use the hospital. And it's great to see the family sees the value in the work the Foundation does.”