by DON TREMBATH

SCOTT BOLTON IS THE SON OF Hugh Bolton, one of the city’s true champions and a pillar of generosity and leadership in Edmonton’s philanthropic community.

“My father was first and foremost, a proud Edmontonian,” says Scott. “He really believed in loyalty to your roots and where you grew up and he truly believed in the future of what is a great city. I think a lot of his philanthropy really centred on that core belief.”

Through the University Hospital Foundation, where he served on the Board of Trustees from 2019–20, Hugh established The Hugh Bolton Fund in Support of Excellence for Patients Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.

“Hugh always wanted to make things better than they were,” says Dr. Jodi Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation. “For him, even in the condition he was in, establishing the nurse navigator position was so important. The last thing people stricken with cancer want to do is figure out the system on their own.”

Another area of interest for Hugh was diabetes. “One of Dad’s first philanthropic endeavors was to invest his own time and donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association.” Donors to the University Hospital Foundation have long supported diabetes research by the likes of Dr. James Shapiro of the University of Alberta.

“He had a kind heart and was always wanting to help those less fortunate,” adds Scott. “Giving back to the community that he loved, and was loyal to, was very important. It was natural, for example, to donate his time and funding to the University Hospital Foundation.”