Imagine cancer as something children knew by name, not by experience. Thanks to the Garron Family, we are getting closer to this vision.
This week at SickKids, some of the most world-renowned doctors and scientists gathered with friends and family to celebrate the generosity of the Garron Family and the appointments of Dr. Eric Bouffet and Dr. Maarten Egeler as inaugural holders of the Garron Family Chairs in Childhood Cancer Research.
The Garron Family donated an unprecedented $30 million to SickKids to establish the Garron Family Cancer Centre in late 2010. Their gift also provided funding to create four Chairs in Childhood Cancer Research that will ensure SickKids continues to perform state-of-the-art cancer research.
Dr. Bouffet and Dr. Egeler are the first two to receive appointments to the four Garron Family Chair positions. Dr. Bouffet is a pioneer in the treatment and research of children’s brain cancer and Dr. Egeler is a leader in stem cell research and the treatment of bone tumours.
In a heart-warming speech to the audience, Dr. Egeler compared his work to being a mountain climber. You have to be persistent and never give up, he said. But in cancer research, like in mountaineering, he added, “teamwork is the essence of success.”
Dr. Egeler will use the funding to continue his team’s research into strategies for making bone marrow transplants more successful, in more patients.
Dr. Bouffet will use the funding to launch new clinical trials, expand programs and fund twinning programs that help young patients with brain cancer in low income countries. He considers the Garron Family cancer champions. “You will make a difference in the world of paediatric oncology,” he told them.
Visit the Garron Family Cancer Centre to learn more about its groundbreaking vision for cancer research and care.
Imagine being told your child has a 30 per cent chance of survival?
That’s the reality parents Katherine and David faced when doctors at The Hospital for Sick Children diagnosed their son Hugh with a rare, cancerous brain tumour.
The following weeks after Hugh’s diagnosis were a whirlwind of tests and procedures, including a five-hour surgery where 98 per cent of his brain tumour was removed. The surgery was followed by radiation to “clean up” the remainder of the cancer.
Today, Hugh, 5, comes to SickKids monthly for chemotherapy and checkups. He started senior kindergarten in the fall and enjoys playing with his friends.
His mom couldn’t be happier. “All he ever longed for in Hospital was to go back to being a kid,” she said. “SickKids gave that to him.”
Childhood is a unique and special stage of life. And while most children get through their childhood with nothing more than a minor illness, for those children with more serious conditions, like Hugh’s, there is SickKids.
Help support the critical work of SickKids and brave patients like Hugh by purchasing your tickets in the Dreams & Discoveries Winter Lottery. It’s your chance to win our Grand Prize of $1.5 million cash,* one of seven Dream Pack Prizes, as well as cars, trips and thousands of other prizes.
Most importantly, your lottery ticket purchase will continue to make a difference for sick children in Canada and around the world.
Visit the SickKids Lottery website for more information and to watch Hugh’s video.
*See rules and regulations at www.sickkidslottery.ca. LL#4485
From the Stratford stage to a hospital bed, Madison’s cancer struck unexpectedly and put her acting career on hold.
In 2007, while starring in To Kill a Mocking Bird at the Stratford Festival, Madison began to suffer from severe back pain and exhaustion. SickKids specialists diagnosed Madison with leukemia.
After three years of treatment at SickKids, Madison completed her final dose of chemotherapy. Today, at the age of 14, she is active in the theatre community and has several major performances under her belt. She does a lot of fundraising for The Hospital for Sick Children and speaks on behalf of SickKids as a Patient Ambassador.
Watch Madison’s SickKids story and meet six other young patients in the CTV special two-hour broadcast of Believing in Heroes. Tune in on Saturday, December 24, from 8 to 10 a.m. to follow the stories of courage and strength while these children and their families face serious illness.
To donate during the show, please visit sickkidstv.com or call our toll free number: 1-877-310-5437.
Here is a preview of Madison’s story:
If you cannot see the video, please watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTTJNtXiro&list=UUleVfdmpkf7H5tnRRw7n39A&index=40&feature=plcp