After doctors in St. Kitt’s discovered Hurlston had a complicated congenital heart defect, they predicted he would only have four to six months to live without surgical intervention.
Luckily, the Herbie Fund was there to help facilitate lifesaving care at SickKids in Toronto. Hurlston arrived at SickKids in April of 2012 and underwent open-heart surgery under the care of one of Canada’s best paediatric cardiac surgeons. While Hurlston may require further surgery at some point in his life, Sylvienne, his mother, is grateful her son will live.
“I hope people will continue contributing to the Herbie Fund and give someone else a chance to live,” says Sylvienne. “Every bit helps.”
Hurlston will join Citytv host Gord Martineau this evening during the 6 p.m. news. Tune in to Citytv for live hits from the Herbie Day festivities or join us at Yonge-Dundas Square until 8 p.m. tonight. Visit the Herbie Fund website to make a donation.
Established in 1979, the Herbie Fund helps children from around the world receive life-altering and lifesaving surgeries at SickKids that would otherwise not be available to them in their home countries. The Fund also finds them a place to stay during their visit. Since its inception, the Herbie Fund has helped 684 children from 102 countries to SickKids.