Two years ago, a teenage girl made a wish to attend prom. She had missed hers while undergoing treatment at The Hospital for Sick Children.

Ellen Storfer and her family’s endowment fund, Turning Dreams into Memories, made this girl’s wish a reality. It’s a reality that has since become an annual tradition of a prom-like “After Hours Exclusive Teen Event,” which took place on July 8 at SickKids for the second year in a row. This year’s theme was, “A Night in Wonderland.”

For teens like Calandra Carkner, who have spent their evenings in a hospital room at SickKids, the “prom” provided something to look forward to and a distraction from their treatment.

“This event is just magical,” said Debra Carkner, mother of 17-year-old Calandra. “Even though she was going through treatment today, all her energy was focused on tonight. It’s amazing to have something that makes her feel like a teenager and makes her feel alive.”

To start off the memorable evening, teens enjoyed some pampering from hair stylists and makeup artists. They even got to choose from an array of funky accessories.

Once their looks were complete, patients headed to the prom-like event to enjoy a night of dancing, socializing and trying their luck at casino-style games. Joining the guests were a number of local celebrities, including John Ralston from Life of Derek, and Alyssa Reid and Jesse Labelle, singers on the MuchMusic SodaPop tour.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the experience,” says Ellen Storfer, whose family created the fund in memory of their spirited mother who lost her battle to cancer in 2005. “Meeting families like Debra and Calandra, who were so touched by this evening, made my family’s dream for the fund come to life.”

The goal of the fund, affectionately known as Dream Delivery, is to provide unique opportunities for chronic and long-term patients at SickKids. The “Night in Wonderland” was a testament to their vision.

The prom-like event was created in 2009 by the Child Life Department at SickKids, which aims to provide in-hospital experiences for children and teens through therapeutic play, encouraging self-expression, easing anxiety and enhancing coping strategies.

For more information on Dream Delivery or to make a donation, please click here.

As the sun began to set and the North Toronto Choir took the stage for the last performance of the day, Herbie Day drew to a close after raising more than $160,000 for the Herbie Fund.

Citytv personality and Herbie Fund advocate Gord Martineau, along with Toronto singer songwriter Amy Sky, announced the final numbers live from the front lawn at The Hospital for Sick Children during the CityNews at Six on May 28. They attributed the day’s success to the generosity of the Greater Toronto Area community.

“The lives of many children have been positively affected as a direct result of the generous donations from CityNews viewers,” said Martineau, the anchor for CityNews at Six. “Because of your kindness, the Herbie Fund can continue to reach more children around the world in desperate need of medical assistance.”

The Herbie Fund, an organization run by volunteers, provides funding for desperately ill children to come to SickKids for life-altering or life-saving care. Since its beginnings in 1979, more than 600 children from over 100 countries have benefitted from the program. Kids are selected as candidates for treatment based on the severity of their medical conditions and lack of access to sufficient health care in their home countries.

But the number of children who get helped each year depends entirely on the generosity of the community.

The GTA came out in full force to support Herbie Day and there wasn’t a dull moment to be found. With visits from Bugs Bunny and the Toronto Argos and Raptors mascots, face painting and performances by dance troupes, school choirs and Amy Sky, topped off with two barbecues from Oliver Bonacini at SickKids and Yonge-Dundas Square, the day was jam-packed with activity.

The $160,000 raised from the event will help fund medical and hospital expenses for visiting international patients. To date, Herbie Day has raised more than $830,000 for the Herbie Fund.

Gord Martineau has been particularly instrumental in bringing awareness to the Herbie Fund. He has travelled throughout the world to meet some of the children who have benefitted from the Herbie Fund.

Here are some videos of Martineau abroad this year:

Part 1: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/87752034001/Herbie-Fund-Part-One/

Part 2: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88009328001/Herbie-Fund--Part-Two/

Part 3: Herbie Fund – http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88278905001/The-Herbie-FundPart-Three/

Part 4: Herbie Fund – http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88523405001/The-Herbie-FundPart-Four/

Part 5: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88793740001/Herbie-Fund--Part-Five/

To make a donate or learn more about the Herbie Fund, please visit: www.herbiefund.com.

The annual Toronto Star special section on SickKids hit newsstands this morning! If you haven’t seen it, be sure to pick up a copy.

This year’s section is 24 pages long. It features 17 stories including articles on research, education and patient stories as well as three photo essays.

The articles focus on inspirational patient stories, including Mackenzie Queen, who had a heart transplant and won three medals at last summer’s World Transplant Games in Australia. Dr. John Brumell, a scientist at SickKids, and his wife Stacey Brooks speak of their personal experience with the Hospital when their son needed urgent medical help after his birth last August. Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children, speaks about the importance of the new Research & Learning Tower, which was officially launched this week. Freda Miller, SickKids researcher, poses the question, “Can stem cells repair brains?”

You can find all of these stories and much more online, including videos, at parentcentral.ca.

In addition to the Toronto Star special section on SickKids, two stories will be featured in the Toronto Star later this week. Keep your eyes peeled for a story on PJ Subbarao’s CHILD study in the Asthma and Allergies section and a story on nurse Linda Hughes in the Nursing Week section on Saturday.

Happy reading!