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BE THE CHANGE

Making In fact, they asked her build a specialized operating
to become a Lion. More
suite for children. The
the World than once. response? Three hundred
thousand dollars.
a Better There was no question her life “And we did it,” she says. With
was already busy. In addition
the help of LCIF, they raised
to her business and her job as
Place principal, she was finishing her every penny. “That’s when I
knew that Lions could have
Ph.D. and expecting her first
child. Even so, she couldn’t real impact.”
It turned out that Dr. Hill’s turn them away.
business partner was married When she attended her first
to a Lion. When district Lions In 1990, she joined the multiple district convention,
organized a project to help Edmonton Host Lions Club. she realized that the impact
fund cochlear implants for She soon realized her club wasn’t limited to Edmonton.
those in need, they wanted was more than just a local
someone with knowledge of club; it was a critical part of a As she walked around the
the deaf community, so they global association of clubs just venue and saw the displays
turned to Patti for guidance. like hers that were serving in of all the projects Lions had
Of course, she was happy nearly every country on earth. done that year and heard the
to help. Being a Lion was the perfect conversations taking place,
way to do what she had always she realized the scale of it all.
When Dr. Hill became the wanted to do—make the world That’s when she knew she was
founding principal of The a better place. part of something much bigger
Heritage School, Lions than she could’ve imagined.
wanted to return the favor. One of her first projects
“What do you need?” showed Dr. Hill just how “I get it now,” she said. Dr.
they asked. powerful being a Lion can be. Hill realized Lions weren’t just
The hospital in Edmonton changing their communities,
Dr. Hill was happy to have didn’t have a dedicated they were changing the world.
Lions’ help, but she didn’t pediatric operating suite.
expect them to keep This meant every time a Changing the world is what
coming back. child required surgery, the she is focused on as our
equipment had to be manually international president.
But the Lions persisted. adjusted to accommodate
these young patients. This
added more complexity and We’re here to
discomfort to an already
harrowing experience for make the world
children and their parents. a better place.
Dr. Hill and her club asked It drives every
”
how much it would cost to
decision I make.

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