Saturday, February 4 was World Cancer Day, a day for the world to remember those diagnosed with the disease and to learn more about how to prevent, detect or treat it. SickKids is working hard to fight cancer.
SickKids patient Mutasim knows about that fight all too well. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a tumour in his bladder. After two months of treatment, Mutasim had surgery to remove his bladder and had an artificial bladder inserted. The surgery was followed by eight more months of chemotherapy. In between treatments, his days were spent with a tutor, making arts and crafts with Child Life specialists at the Hospital and playing in the Starlight Lounge, a special play area at SickKids for oncology patients. Since his most recent surgery in September 2011, hospital visits have become fewer and farther between and Mutasim started school full time and loves being back in the company of his classmates.
On average, SickKids sees a new cancer patient every day. Thanks in part to some incredible donors, our researchers and clinicians have made some incredible strides in the fight against cancer. In 2011, SickKids researchers developed a new approach for detecting cancer early in patients at high risk for the disease. This ‘Toronto protocol’ led to a 100 per cent survival rate among the patients and is now being used by doctors around the world. SickKids researchers also identified two distinct subgroups in common childhood brain cancer which will help develop more personalized treatments.
Imagine cancer as something children knew by name, not by experience. Thanks to the Garron Family, we are getting closer to this vision.
This week at SickKids, some of the most world-renowned doctors and scientists gathered with friends and family to celebrate the generosity of the Garron Family and the appointments of Dr. Eric Bouffet and Dr. Maarten Egeler as inaugural holders of the Garron Family Chairs in Childhood Cancer Research.
The Garron Family donated an unprecedented $30 million to SickKids to establish the Garron Family Cancer Centre in late 2010. Their gift also provided funding to create four Chairs in Childhood Cancer Research that will ensure SickKids continues to perform state-of-the-art cancer research.
Dr. Bouffet and Dr. Egeler are the first two to receive appointments to the four Garron Family Chair positions. Dr. Bouffet is a pioneer in the treatment and research of children’s brain cancer and Dr. Egeler is a leader in stem cell research and the treatment of bone tumours.
In a heart-warming speech to the audience, Dr. Egeler compared his work to being a mountain climber. You have to be persistent and never give up, he said. But in cancer research, like in mountaineering, he added, “teamwork is the essence of success.”
Dr. Egeler will use the funding to continue his team’s research into strategies for making bone marrow transplants more successful, in more patients.
Dr. Bouffet will use the funding to launch new clinical trials, expand programs and fund twinning programs that help young patients with brain cancer in low income countries. He considers the Garron Family cancer champions. “You will make a difference in the world of paediatric oncology,” he told them.
Visit the Garron Family Cancer Centre to learn more about its groundbreaking vision for cancer research and care.
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