Olivia became a patient at SickKids before she was even born.
Thanks to advanced imaging technology, cardiologists at SickKids knew Olivia would need immediate medical attention after birth. She had two open-heart surgeries before she celebrated her first birthday to help correct a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She will need one additional surgery in 2013, to repair her underdeveloped heart.
SickKids specialists perform 85 per cent of all paediatric cardiovascular surgery in Ontario. They see the sickest children, like Olivia, with the most complex childhood congenital and acquired heart diseases.
In celebration of heart month and the lifesaving work SickKids performs at its Labatt Family Heart Centre, why not help children like Olivia by considering SickKids Get Better Gifts for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day.
Get Better Gifts are a symbolic alternative to gift giving and a meaningful way to honour friends and loved ones while simultaneously supporting the critical work being done at SickKids. You can provide the gift of Valentine’s Day Crafts Supplies ($20), 30 Days on a Heart Saturation Monitor ($40) or a Stethoscope ($120). There are plenty of items to choose from and, with each gift you give, you will have the opportunity to send a personalized message.
This year, choose a thoughtful and unique way to warm the heart of your valentine with a SickKids Get Better Gift.
Being named SickKids Champion has been an awesome experience! It has allowed me to meet some amazing people and most recently, the people who work for Walmart! Walmart just finished its Round Up campaign and I was honored to be a small part of it.
The Round Up campaign is when Walmart associates ask customers if they would like to round up their bill to the nearest dollar. All proceeds go to CMN (Children’s Miracle Network) who, in turn, take the money and directly support the children’s hospital in that store’s area. I worked with the Walmart stores that raise money for SickKids!
The District Manager, Daryl, invited my Mom and me to a breakfast meeting. We love Daryl because he has a passion for helping others - plus he is super fun and loves rollercoasters like me! He introduced us to his store managers and let me tell my story. You know, it’s the story that makes you take a gulp and thank God every day for SickKids and all the doctors and staff that saved my life and so many other kids.
Because it was a special occasion, my mom even let me order a chocolate and banana crepe with whipped cream for breakfast. It was huge and I did a pretty good job at finishing it, too. Delicious!
My mom and I were invited to speak to the associates at a bunch of Walmart stores at their morning meetings. Thanks Mom for helping me with that! It was such a cool experience because so many people came up to me afterwards and gave me hugs. It feels so good to touch and motivate people.
The highlight of my experience was working with the cashiers at the Erin Mills store. I got to ask the customers if they wanted to “round up”. I loved putting their merchandise in bags and talking to them. It was a great feeling when they said, “of course” and personally thanking them for making a difference!
This year, Ava was officially named the 2011 SickKids Champion Child presented by Walmart Canada. This program is a Children’s Miracle Network initiative to honour children who have overcome severe medical challenges. The Walmart Round Up takes place annually. This year’s Round Up raised more than $250,000 for SickKids Foundation.
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