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
Does your Uncle Charlie already have everything? Is Aunt Sally impossible to shop for? Are you running out of time to get your holiday shopping wrapped up?
SickKids Get Better Gifts has your back.
With a full online catalogue of items to choose from at a wide-range of price points, there is a SickKids Get Better Gift for everyone on your list.
Give A Stocking Surprise and you could help fill a bedside stocking stuffed with toys, crayons, teddy bears and toys for a patient at the Hospital over the holidays.
A Holiday Meal for a Family could provide a festive meal complete with linens and decorations for patients and their families.
By giving A Wish List, you could help brighten a child’s otherwise difficult hospital stay with an item from their holiday wish list to Santa.
Know that with every gift you give, you are supporting the most critical needs at The Hospital for Sick Children. And don’t fret about your traditional card not making it in time. With SickKids Get Better Gifts you can select an e-card or PDF card, too!
SickKids Get Better Gifts are great to give and even better to receive. Visit the online catalogue now to get started.