More than a thousand people have come forward to help the family of a Toronto nurse who died by suicide late last week.
Stefanie Van Nguyen, who worked at Humber River Hospital, took her own life on Thursday, Jan. 21. She was 25 years old and had struggled with depression.
Just a few days after the frontline healthcare worker’s death, her partner Jason Parreno created a GoFundMe page titled Paying tribute to Stefanie Van Nguyen to “help cover expenses of the funeral, memorial service and anything else can help with her Mom and Dad.”
The goal was to raise $10,000.
So far, more than $57,000 has been donated and Parreno is vowing to personally help distribute any funds collected.
On the page, he remembered his partner as someone who was “so special to everyone who knew her and was so infectious with her personality.”
“Somehow in the most trying of times, she managed to always put everyone else's needs before her own. She was the most caring, loving, genuine, bubbly person you could've ever have met,” Parreno wrote.
“She always tried to take care of her family and friends when she was able to and always loved with no restraint.”
Parreno also said his partner was an “amazing nurse who loved and cared for her patients and coworkers.”
“She was dedicated to her work and was always the one who stayed to get the job done,” he said.
In a statement, Van Nguyen’s employer, Humber River Hospital, said she “embodied the values of our hospital in every interaction she had with colleagues. She left an indelible impression on everyone she met.”
Van Nguyen worked as an occupational health nurse at the North York hospital. She'd been employed there since Aug. 24, 2020.
“This is undoubtedly a difficult time for Stefanie’s family as well as our Occupational Health and Safety team. Please join me in offering support to our Occupational Health and Safety team members,” Humber River Hospital said.
On Monday, Jan. 25, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) also issued a short statement.
“RNAO grieves the loss of Stefanie Van Nguyen, a young RN committed to the nursing profession, her family, friends and her partner Jason Parreno,” the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing students in Ontario said.
“Stefanie left us way too soon. RNAO hopes that Stefanie’s kindness, selflessness and giving nature are remembered forever and serve as a lesson for others to help brighten the world. As Jason (Parreno) mentioned to RNAO’s CEO Doris Grinspun, ‘the world is a darker place without her.’”
RNAO grieves the loss of Stefanie Van Nguyen, a young RN committed to the nursing profession, her family, friends and her partner Jason Parreno. Stefanie left us way too soon.
— RNAO (@RNAO) January 25, 2021
Read our full statement: https://t.co/srumaIjrOj
GoFundMe: https://t.co/YNdV83dFYH
On the GoFundMe page, Van Nguyen’s partner urged anyone who knows someone dealing with depression or “even just feeling sad, overwhelmed and stressed” to talk to someone, call their loved ones, or get professional help. He also included the link to Crisis Services Canada on the fundraiser.
Correction - Feb. 3, 2010: This article was edited from a previous version that indicated Amanda Jara is the organizer of the GoFundMe page. Jason Parreno is the organizer.
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