In order to film this year’s ‘You Got It’ television commercial, we enlisted the help of 12 patient families and more than 50 SickKids staff members who were on-camera and behind-the-scenes.
SickKids nurse, Rose-Marie Emanuel-Saddler, had a very visible role: she’s featured in all versions of the commercial, including this 15-second spot:
If you are unable to see the video, please visit: http://youtu.be/X5A4h0C4Heo.
We sat down with Rose-Marie to get to know her and her role at SickKids a little better. Here’s our interview.
Why did you choose to work at SickKids?
Ever since I was in nursing school, I always knew I wanted to work with babies but I wasn’t sure where. Then I heard about SickKids, a world-renowned and great hospital, so I decided this is where I wanted to be! I wanted to be among the best. My goal became a reality and I started working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in April 1999. It has been my home ever since.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of working at SickKids is knowing I am making a difference in someone’s life. Whether it is cuddling and rocking a baby back to sleep or being a good listener to parents. No matter how small or big, making a difference in the lives of families whose children are in the hospital is a great reward for me.
What do you love about being a NICU nurse?
There are so many things I love about being an NICU nurse. Topping my list is seeing our babies grow and develop their personalities right before our eyes. Some of our babies are small enough to fit in the palm of one hand and it is amazing to see these little ones go through so much yet still come out on top. Babies are resilient and are much tougher than adults so they are who I draw my strength from. To have a baby in the hospital means, at times, reaching milestones that would normally be met at home. These special moments are important to families and I feel privileged to share in special moments like this. Another aspect of NICU life that I love is to see the look on parents’ faces when they are told their baby is ready to go home (priceless).
What does Together We Will mean to you?
Together We Will means that SickKids, in partnership with our community, can persevere and make a difference in the lives of all children. We can make children healthier by joining together.
What was your experience like with filming the ‘You Got It’ commercial?
I absolutely enjoyed filming the 'You Got It' commercial. Like I told my family and friends, I felt like Oprah for a day! The production company was professional and treated me and baby Nate with the upmost respect. For example, they let us take a break when baby Nate needed his soother. The SickKids team was also great. They gave me great words of encouragement and support throughout the entire process. I must say that I felt honoured to represent SickKids.
What is your connection to the baby you filmed with?
I remember caring for baby Nate quite a while before the commercial when he was much smaller. I was happy when I found out I was doing the commercial with him because I remembered how good mannered he was and how he had beautiful blue eyes.
What’s the best comment you’ve received from your friends and family on the commercial?
“That commercial made me cry.”
“Mommy, I saw you on t.v.”
Tell us something about yourself that isn’t SickKids related.
I don't have many adventures under my belt but I love going to the zoo and I am terrified of roller coasters and needles.
If you’d like to learn more about the Together We Will campaign, please visit: www.sickkidsfoundation.com/together.
The weather outside was not at all frightful – six degrees with 11 km/h winds and perfect for Santa’s elves to land their Griffon helicopters on the SickKids rooftop, pouring rain notwithstanding.
This year’s Operation HO HO HO involved six elves, three hockey players, one mayor, and many excited children who didn’t mind waiting for the elves and hockey players to show up. Waiting, after all, is a skill you want to master by the time Santa rolls around.
Dozens of children participated in the event. Tables were set up for winter crafts, and there was room to play a bit of hockey and get autographs. As the children left, they were handed a gift, selected and wrapped according to their age and gender.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford arrived at the University Ave. entrance by car, and was escorted to the Garden Patio by Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO. He wasted no time in sitting down with the kids and decorating mini hockey sticks with “Go Leafs Go” lettering.
The elves and their seven helpers are members of 400 (City Of Toronto) Tactical Helicopter Squadron stationed in Camp Borden near Barrie. For the eighth year in a row they volunteered to deliver toys and books donated by members of communities in the Simcoe region. Their rooftop arrival was shown later on the SickKids channel so all the children in the hospital could get a glimpse of the event.
The hockey players – Jake Gardiner, Luke Schenn and John-Michael Liles from Toronto Maple Leafs accompanied by their faithful mascot, Carlton – signed autographs for the children and parents, as elves handed out presents.
“This is good distraction,” said Windsor resident Roch Ethier, father of Daniel, 12. “It’s a total surprise. We came in from Windsor and are having surgery tomorrow. We had no idea that this event was taking place.” – “Awesome,” echoed Daniel’s mother, Rachelle.
SickKids is a world leader in child health research and now, when you donate to our new Research & Learning Tower Campaign, your donations can go twice as far thanks to a generous matching program from the Government of Ontario.
Until March 31, 2012, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning you can help double the impact on the health of future generations of children. Scheduled to open in 2013, the state-of-the-art Research & Learning Tower will assemble more than 2,000 brilliant scientific minds under one roof to share ideas and make new discoveries that will help children locally, nationally and around the world.
“SickKids has a commitment to being better tomorrow than it is today,” says Ted Garrard, President and CEO of SickKids Foundation. “Research will help us keep that promise.”
Double your impact by clicking here.
(Donations over $25,000 will be matched $1 for every $2.)