#KristinsCamino

“I carry your heart with me
(I carry it in my heart)”

That quote, from a poem by E.E. Cummings, captures something I’ve been feeling deeply.

My name is Judi Rufo, and I sit on the Board of Directors for Belleville General Hospital Foundation. Soon, my husband, Doug Peterson, and I will set out on the Camino de Santiago in Spain with our dear friend, Kristin Crowe.

We’ll be walking with her, step by step, on a journey that’s as spiritual as it is physical. And every step we take, we’ll be carrying the hearts of our community with us. Just as Kristin carries all of us in hers.

This walk is not a race. And while it ends at a sacred destination, it is not about rushing toward it. It’s about presence. About resilience. About grace. And it’s about connection — to history, to healing, and to humanity.

It’s also about purpose.

Because we’re not just walking for Kristin. We’re walking for anyone who’s ever waited, breath held, for a diagnosis that could change their life. And we’re inviting you to walk with us, in spirit, by helping us raise $101,000 for a new Tissue Sampler at Belleville General Hospital.

Why It Matters

Over the past 15 years, Kristin has faced cancer again and again: breast, lungs, brain. Most recently, a craniotomy left her with permanent vision loss. Still, she pushes forward. She jokes. She hikes. She inspires. She shows us what it means to live with grit and grace.

And throughout it all, she’s depended on the care and diagnostic tools available here at Quinte Health.

The Tissue Sampler is a critical piece of equipment in that system. It allows the lab to process more biopsies faster and more accurately — delivering quicker answers to patients and their loved ones.

If you or someone you love has ever waited for results from a biopsy, you know how excruciating that silence can be. Minutes feel like hours. Days stretch into years. The uncertainty eats at you.

This new equipment will help reduce that painful wait.

And that matters. Because when you’re facing cancer, every second counts.

Please, make your gift today to walk with Kristin and help fund faster cancer care.

Walk With Us

Doug and I first walked a section of the Camino last year. Something changed in us during that journey. Each step asked us to slow down, to be present, to reflect. We kept thinking of Kristin the whole way.

Kristin has always been adventurous. The Camino was on her bucket list long before cancer. So, when we asked if she wanted to join us this year, she didn’t hesitate. She smiled and said:

“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life is meant to be lived now. One step at a time. One moment at a time. I’m in.”

And so, Kristin’s Camino was born.

It started with friendship, with love, with walking together through whatever life hands us. Then we had the idea to try to raise money for cancer care —the moment we thought of it, it felt right.

Because this isn’t just a story about Kristin. It’s a story about all of us.

We walk for Kristin. For you. For anyone who’s ever held their breath waiting on a pathology report.

Walk with us. One step at a time. One gift at a time.

Because together, we carry each other.

#KristinsCamino

Help Us Play a Key Role in Cancer Diagnosis

The quality of tissue processing directly affects the diagnostic capabilities of pathologists. Accurately processed tissues result in clearer, more detailed histological slides that are crucial for:

Detecting Abnormalities: Effective staining and detailed cellular structures help in identifying abnormal cells or arrangements indicative of cancer.
Staging and Grading Cancer: Properly processed tissues allow pathologists to determine the extent of cancer and its aggressiveness, which are critical in staging the disease.
Guiding Treatment Decisions: Detailed insights into the type and stage of cancer help in planning appropriate treatment strategies, affecting outcomes significantly.

Impact of a New Tissue Processor at Belleville General Hospital

Installing a new, state-of-the-art tissue processor at Belleville General Hospital can have a profound impact on patient care and cancer diagnosis:

Increased Efficiency: Modern tissue processors are faster and more reliable, reducing the time from tissue collection to diagnosis, which is crucial for cancer patients awaiting treatment plans.
Enhanced Accuracy: Newer models provide more consistent processing, which improves the quality of slides and thus the accuracy of diagnoses.
Capacity to Handle More Cases: With higher throughput capabilities, a new processor can handle more cases efficiently, beneficial in a busy hospital setting.
Improved Patient Outcomes: Faster and more accurate diagnosis enables quicker initiation of treatment, potentially improving prognosis and survival rates for cancer patients.
Research and Training: Enhanced capabilities also support advanced research and educational opportunities for medical staff, fostering better overall healthcare services.