Hot on the heels of the December Olympic Torch Relay event at The Hospital for Sick Children, SickKids patients and their families had the rare chance to see another Flame celebration last week.
Thanks to long-time SickKids supporter RBC and the City of Toronto, the Hospital hosted a special visit from the Paralympic Flame as it made its way to the official Paralympic Torch Relay celebration at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on March 5. The 10-day, cross-country 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will end at the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver to kick off the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, 2010.
A procession of people from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) arrived at SickKids with the torch, including First Nations Elders, drummers, dancers, jingle dancers, members and youth. The NCCT members were joined by patients, their families and staff in the Garden Patio at SickKids to participate in Native activities.
Multiple flames have been created by members of local Aboriginal communities in participating cities across Canada where daily Torch Relay celebrations are taking place. Ashes from each Flame ceremony will be collected and united in the final fire in Vancouver to kick off the official opening of the Games.
At the Hospital event, SickKids patient ambassador Erica Scarff, 13, said a few words to families, staff and her fellow patients before leaving for the official celebrations. She was selected to be one of two official RBC torchbearers for the event. As an avid gymnast, Erica discovered she had a rare bone cancer after she took a tumble during a gymnastics routine and broke her leg. She endured 11 months of chemotherapy and a partial amputation of her right leg.
Erica was kind enough to provide us with her inspirational speech:
“Good morning. My name is Erica. I'm 13 and I had cancer.
I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, an uncommon form of bone cancer, when I was 12. I had 11 months of chemotherapy and a modified amputation of my right leg here, at SickKids. I'm glad to say that I'm now in remission.
I'm very thankful for SickKids. Not only because I wouldn't be here without them but the fact that I received the highest quality of care. Although I was very sick when I was in the hospital the staff and volunteers always managed to make me smile, one way or another.
One particular event at SickKids that made me smile was when the Olympic Torch passed through. It was a very special moment.
When I was asked to carry the Paralympic Torch I was excited and felt honoured. I am proud to carry the Paralympic Torch, which I feel represents POSSIBILITIES.
I learned here at SickKids that everything is possible. The Paralympic athletes and torchbearers have showed us there is a way around every obstacle. I would like to thank SickKids, RBC, and The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto for making this possible!”
~ Erica Scarff, patient ambassador
Read more about Erica and her SickKids story here.
Photos taken by Robert Teteruck.