Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at The Hospital for Sick Children? Most people in Toronto have heard of SickKids but not everyone has experienced the work that takes place inside first-hand.
It’s a full team experience: the front-line health-care workers who specialize in healing and compassion, the gifted minds behind some of the leading-edge science in children’s health and the patients and their families who, while struggling through such a difficult time, manage to stay positive and courageous.
SickKids: Believing in Heroes shares the inspirational stories of five courageous patients and their families as they deal with childhood illness. CFTO and MCTV will air the two-hour special on June 5 at 7 p.m.
Visit SickKidsTV for more information.
Here is one of the stories featured during the program:
Meet Stevie Ray:
Shortly after three-year-old Stevie Ray moved to Bobcaygeon, Ontario, he became increasingly grumpy and moody. His mom Laura thought he needed to adjust to the move but his odd behaviour continued. Soon after, Laura found two growths on Stevie Ray near his groin. She took him to his former paediatrician in Toronto, who sent him to SickKids for blood work.
Specialists at SickKids diagnosed Stevie Ray with cancer, specifically acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL affects the white blood cells that fight bacteria and is the most common type of leukemia in children.
Stevie Ray spent several weeks in SickKids. He underwent chemotherapy treatment, numerous lumbar punctures, blood work and transfusions. Thankfully, Stevie Ray responded positively to the medical care. Over the course of one year, Stevie Ray has been to the haematology/oncology clinic more than 70 times. Today, Stevie Ray is a happy, healthy eight year old.
This Friday, May 28, is Citytv Herbie Day! Join us to celebrate on the front lawn of The Hospital for Sick Children or Yonge-Dundas Square as Citytv broadcasts live to raise funds and awareness for the Herbie Fund. The live broadcast coverage starts on Breakfast Television and ends with CityNews at Six.
Join CityNews anchor Gord Martineau and other Citytv personalities for a day filled with live entertainment, delicious food and special guests. The official ceremony kicks off at 8 a.m. at the Hospital. Feast on a delicious barbecue lunch at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square and SickKids and head back to Yonge-Dundas Square at 4:30 p.m. for more! Proceeds from the barbecues go towards the Herbie Fund.
Throughout the day there will be live performances by local choirs, musicians and dance troupes, a special visit from zoo animals, face painting and much more. Join us on the front lawn of the Hospital at 6 p.m. for a performance by Toronto pop-singer song-writer Amy Sky.
For more than 30 years, the Herbie Fund has provided specialized surgical care for over 600 children from approximately 100 countries. Broadcasting live from the front lawn at The Hospital for Sick Children, Citytv's Gord Martineau will be sharing stories and asking for your support.
This day is about fun, but it is also about fundraising, so come out and show your support! Call 1-888-340-3429 or visit www.herbiefund.com to donate.
This week’s Ask a Scientist is an age-old question. It’s been discussed for years but no one seems to have a definitive answer. Is it an old wives’ tale or the truth? Our experts answer the question:
“Does gum really stay in my stomach for 7 years?” ~ Cameron, age 9, Toronto, ON.
Click here to see the answer from Dr. Nicola Jones, a scientist in the Cell Biology program at the SickKids Research Institute and a staff Gastroenterologist at The Hospital for Sick Children.
The scientists at SickKids are experts in most areas of health and life science. They spend their days asking tough questions and searching out the answers. Now it is your turn to ask them the tough questions.
Have you ever had a burning question about your body or about your health and didn’t know how to find the answer? This might just be the opportunity to get to the bottom of it!
You have the chance to submit your question and it will be passed to a scientist who specializes in that area. The best questions and answers will be featured on the Research Institute website: http://www.sickkids.ca/research.
Check the website often to see if your question gets posted. You can learn about what others want to know and if you read enough answers, you may even become a health expert yourself!