Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at The Hospital for Sick Children? Most people in Toronto have heard of SickKids but not everyone has experienced the work that takes place inside first-hand.

It’s a full team experience: the front-line health-care workers who specialize in healing and compassion, the gifted minds behind some of the leading-edge science in children’s health and the patients and their families who, while struggling through such a difficult time, manage to stay positive and courageous.

SickKids: Believing in Heroes shares the inspirational stories of five courageous patients and their families as they deal with childhood illness. CFTO and MCTV will air the two-hour special on June 5 at 7 p.m.

Visit SickKidsTV for more information.

Here is one of the stories featured during the program:

Meet Stevie Ray:

Shortly after three-year-old Stevie Ray moved to Bobcaygeon, Ontario, he became increasingly grumpy and moody. His mom Laura thought he needed to adjust to the move but his odd behaviour continued. Soon after, Laura found two growths on Stevie Ray near his groin. She took him to his former paediatrician in Toronto, who sent him to SickKids for blood work.

Specialists at SickKids diagnosed Stevie Ray with cancer, specifically acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL affects the white blood cells that fight bacteria and is the most common type of leukemia in children.

Stevie Ray spent several weeks in SickKids. He underwent chemotherapy treatment, numerous lumbar punctures, blood work and transfusions. Thankfully, Stevie Ray responded positively to the medical care. Over the course of one year, Stevie Ray has been to the haematology/oncology clinic more than 70 times. Today, Stevie Ray is a happy, healthy eight year old.