“When I think of everything we have been through, lucky is the word I would use to describe our family,” says Natalie, mother to 10-year-old Caitlin Wong.
At two years old, Caitlin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her parents, along with the staff at SickKids, had to guide her through several rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, pokes, procedures and many days of not being able to eat.
“We were lucky because Caitlin benefitted from the years of research into treating ALL, making this form of cancer highly curable," Natalie said.
To recognize Caitlin’s outstanding bravery, she was named the 2012/13 SickKids Champion presented by Walmart Canada during a special ceremony at a Scarborough Walmart on Tuesday. This Children’s Miracle Network program honours children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges.
In September, Caitlin will travel to Celebration, an event in Ottawa, Ontario and Orlando, Florida, to meet with Champions from children’s hospitals across North America. She will continue to support Walmart initiatives throughout the year by sharing her SickKids story.
“We believe SickKids is the best hospital to treat our children and with the support of Walmart and Children’s Miracle Network, it can continue to do so," Natalie expressed.
This May 2012, marked Caitlin’s fifth year of remission from ALL, meaning she is officially considered cancer-free.
The end of school is just around the corner but before getting too carried away with thoughts of summer fun, thank your child’s teachers for all they do with a SickKids Get Better Gift.
With a SickKids Get Better Gift, you can show your child’s teachers how much you value their hard work while brightening the lives of kids at The Hospital for Sick Children. Browse through the online symbolic giving catalogue for some really thoughtful and convenient gift ideas.
Help support important services at the Hospital with a gift that can provide: arts and crafts supplies that help children cope with hospital stays ($10); scrapbooking materials so children can commemorate all their important hospital milestones ($15); and books for the Hospital Reading Room to provide SickKids patients with an escape from their daily and sometimes difficult hospital routine ($20).
Wrap up this great year with a symbolic gift. Give your child’s teachers SickKids Get Better Gifts by visiting www.sickkidsgetbettergifts.com or calling 416-813-7992.
Last night we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the RBC Walk-a-thon for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) on the Hospital’s front lawn. Almost 200 RBC employees, friends and family departed from Royal Bank Plaza on Bay Street after work, decked out in blue and yellow, with happy faced balloons for the children.
This celebratory event is the culmination of a six-week employee fundraising campaign which includes activities ranging from chocolate and CD sales, an employee payroll deduction, a tricycle race, BBQs and much more. This year’s campaign raised more than $240,000 in support of children’s mental health initiatives. Thank you to all of the employees, organizers and donors who made this year’s walk an incredible success!