Joe has heart for SickKids
Joe has had a long history with SickKids. It began in 1972 as a patient and continues today as a donor.
Joe’s journey to SickKids began in March of 1972. Joe was visiting his grandparents in Italy when his grandfather pointed out that Joe’s lips would turn purple every time he did something strenuous. His grandfather contacted his doctor and asked him to come out to the house to take a look at Joe. After a physical, he advised Joe to head back to Canada as he suspected Joe had a problem with his heart.
After a visit with the family doctor back in Toronto, Joe was referred to SickKids.
With pulmonary stenosis, the pulmonary valve is unable to open completely, so the blood flowing from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery is constricted. “Stenosis” refers to the narrowing of a passageway, making it difficult for the right ventricle to pump the blood through the narrowing.
On October 15, 1972, Joe was admitted to SickKids in preparation for his surgery. He remembers the fear he felt upon being admitted and began to cry when his parents said they had to leave for a bit.
“I was so scared and afraid at first,” said Joe. “To help ease my concerns, a nurse came into my room and introduced me to other children who were on my floor. The kids all seemed so happy and it started to help me feel more comfortable and less afraid.”
I am proud to be able to give back to SickKids
Two days later, Dr. Mustard performed surgery on Joe’s heart. After two days in intensive care, Joe returned to his room to recover. During his recovery, Joe fondly remembers how supportive the nurses were. He also remembers the fun he had with the other patients during his recovery.
“We used to have wheelchair races in the hallways,” said Joe. “When it was time for me to be discharged, I was actually kind of sad to be leaving as I had made so many friends.”
Over the next eight years, Joe returned to SickKids for follow-up tests and to visit with all of the doctors and nurses who took care of him during his surgery.
“I am so grateful to SickKids,” said Joe. “Dr. Mustard and the staff gave me my childhood back. They gave me my life back.”
As Joe grew up, he knew he wanted to give back to SickKids and to make a difference for other kids the way SickKids had made a difference for him. Along with his brothers, Joe started a charity golf tournament in 2014 with his company. The TravelBrands Annual Charity Golf Classic, hosted by RedTag.ca and TravelBrands Inc, has raised more than $270,000 to date. In its first year, the tournament raised funds in support of the Critical Cardiac Care Fellowship at SickKids. In year two, the event supported the Dr. William Mustard Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery Research at SickKids.
“SickKids made such an impact on me and for so many children, including family members of mine,” said Joe. “I am proud to be able to give back to SickKids and support the best doctors and best nurses in the world.”
Thank you Joe, the Demarinis family, RedTag.ca and Travelbrands Inc. for making a difference!
