Alex, 14, has been a patient of The Hospital for Sick Children since the day he was born. Having celebrated last Christmas as an inpatient, he understands the difficulties families face being in hospital over the holidays. For that reason, he decided to spread some holiday cheer to children like him at SickKids this December.

Alex was born with a lifelong condition called spina bifida. He requires the assistance of a wheelchair to get around and spends a lot of time at SickKids. In fact, he has been an inpatient since September with complicated bed sores. To keep himself occupied, Alex, aka DJ Skinnzy, has taken advantage of this time and transformed his hospital bed into a studio to produce music. A YouTube tutorial on DJ-ing piqued his interest a few years ago and he has been mixing music ever since.

“Music helps me stay positive,” Alex said. “It’s a nice break between treatments and it makes me feel good to see other kids enjoy the mixes I put together.”

His most recent playlist was created for a holiday launch event for the SickKids Winter Lounge presented by Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

The Winter Lounge opened its doors to patients and families on December 15 in the SickKids Atrium, featuring entertainment by DJ Skinnzy. In addition to three decorated holiday trees, the space is filled with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (including Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and west elm) couches, chairs and children’s furniture. It is illuminated by strings of lights and paper snowflakes to create a winter wonderland inside the Hospital walls for families to enjoy. At the end of the holidays, the furniture will be auctioned off with proceeds going to SickKids Foundation.

“I think the Lounge is the most amazing idea,” Alex said. “A lot of families can’t leave the Hospital during this time of year, so it gives them a place outside their hospital rooms to relax and escape from the machines and tubes.”

When home, Alex volunteers his time to give tutorials to other children interested in mixing their own music. He strongly believes in the healing power of music and aspires to turn his passion for DJ-ing into a future career.

But for now, his family and medical team are preparing to get him home by next week – just in time for the holidays.

Ava credits “the who’s” in her life for making her the healthy, positive person she is today.

A SickKids patient since birth, there are many people – “the who’s” – who contributed to her healing: specialists, doctors, nurses, surgeons, family, friends and her community.

Ava is so grateful to all of them: “Without “the who’s”, I would not have easily overcome the challenges set before me so early in life.”

During a special ceremony at her elementary school on Wednesday, Ava was officially named the 2011 SickKids Champion Child presented by Walmart Canada. This program is a Children’s Miracle Network initiative to honour children who have overcome severe medical challenges.

The day after she was born, Ava developed a brain hemorrhage that led to a series of complications. She suffered from a stroke, seizures and hydrocephalus, which is the build-up of fluid in the brain. To relieve pressure in her brain, a portion of her skull was removed and she had to wear a helmet for eight years for precaution as she healed. Today, Ava has a titanium plate in her head to replace the missing piece of skull.

Ava’s mother Rose once told her, “Everyone has a story. It is what you do with it that makes a difference.”

Ava has taken her mom’s advice to heart. She actively fundraises for SickKids and has raised more than $14,000 to date. Her strong desire to make a difference coupled with her infectious spirit make her an excellent Champion for SickKids.

In October, Ava will travel to Ottawa and Orlando, Florida, to meet Champions from other children’s hospitals across Canada and the United States. She will continue her term as Champion well into 2012 by supporting Walmart fundraising initiatives for Children’s Miracle Network.

Thanks Ava!

Cancer patients at The Hospital for Sick Children got the chance to rub shoulders with nearly 30 celebrities during the Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup on Saturday.

The fundraising event invites participants who share a passion for exotic cars to take part in a scavenger hunt around the city with a celebrity navigator. SickKids served as one of the Pit Stops and is the recipient of the funds raised. This year’s Rally raised $3 million for the Hospital.

Jack White, 12, who has been battling cancer for more than nine years, spent some time with the celebrity chair of the event, Gene Simmons. The KISS rock legend and star of the television series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, co-chaired Rally for Kids with his soon-to-be wife, Shannon Tweed.

Jack was so excited for his moment with Simmons that he went out on a special shopping trip to find the perfect KISS t-shirt. Unfortunately, after four long days of chemotherapy leading up to the event, he wasn’t feeling well when the day finally arrived. Despite this, Jack insisted on sticking it out.

He waited patiently on the sidelines at the SickKids Pit Stop. His courageous story spread to parents and volunteers and it quickly became everyone’s mission to make Jack’s experience with Simmons a memorable one.

As soon as Simmons arrived, a path was carved through the crowd straight to Jack so they could spend some time together.

“It was really touching that everyone, including Gene Simmons, went out of their way to create this special moment for Jack,” Jack’s mother, Caroline, said. “He has undergone more than most people should in a lifetime, so we do anything we can to make him happy.”

Jack is now fighting his fourth recurrence of cancer called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST). The most recent tumour Jack has cannot be surgically removed so his treatment plan includes travelling to SickKids regularly to receive chemotherapy.

To date, Rally for Kids with Cancer has raised more than $8 million for SickKids. Funds raised from the event will support critical care, treatment and research for kids, like Jack, who suffer from cancer.