Reasons to Believe

Arthur and Sonia Labatt

Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - SickKids Foundation today announced the largest gift in the history of The Hospital for Sick Children and the largest philanthropic investment in children’s cardiac medicine and research in North America. 

Arthur and Sonia Labatt pledged an historic $30 million to SickKids with $25 million establishing The Labatt Family Heart Centre and a $5 million endowment that furthers their support of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre.

"Arthur and Sonia Labatt have long been two of the most visionary partners of SickKids,” said Michael O’Mahoney, President of SickKids Foundation. “Their investment is a powerful recognition of the importance of philanthropy in furthering our understanding and treatment of childhood illness and disease.”

Today’s gift announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre at SickKids.

[Read more information about this historic gift.]

[Watch our video about the Department of Cardiology]

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Meet Dr. Ute Bartels

Dr. Ute Bartles

As a staff oncologist in SickKids
Paediatric Brain Tumour Program, Dr. Ute Bartels is hard at work helping patients battle their childhood cancers.

Practicing medicine since 1990, Dr. Bartels first worked at the Children’s Hospital of the University of Mainz/Germany, where her paediatric oncology training took place. She then joined SickKids Paediatric Brain Tumour Program within the Division of Haematology/Oncology in 2002 – first as a fellow and then as an assistant professor with the University of Toronto.

Recognizing the importance of philanthropy to the hospital, she also regularly participates in SickKids Foundation’s initiatives. For example, every year, she joins Meagan’s Walk, a 5 km-walk on Mother’s Day that starts at Toronto’s Ontario Place and ends at SickKids with a human hug of more than 1,500 participants around the hospital.

“I wanted to share the experiences of children and families within our program and the challenges of their illness to raise awareness and money for research or others facing similar struggles,” Dr. Bartels said.

“Since I started at SickKids, I have witnessed the Foundation’s many engaging endeavors that facilitate funding for research and enhance medical knowledge. I feel very fortunate being surrounded by so many dedicated people – those who don’t hesitate to invest their time, energy and creativity in order to help bring forward optimized treatment of children suffering from life threatening diseases – and hope for a cure. If I was able to contribute a tiny bit in the spirit of the Foundation, I am happy.”

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  Marnie's Lounge

Patients, their families and staff at The Hospital for Sick Children recently celebrated the grand reopening of Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge – all thanks to funds generously provided by Mattamy Homes Limited through SickKids Foundation.

After undergoing a lengthy reconstruction, Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge now offers a wider variety of programming, along with cooperative and competitive games, music players, computers,movies and a full-size pool table. There is also a brand new kitchen with height-adjustable countertops and more functional activity space, accommodating patients who are solely dependent on walkers, wheelchairs and IV poles. For those wanting some peace and quiet, a ‘rest and relaxation’ area is readily available.

In the playroom and at the bedside, the hospital’s Department of Child Life is responsible for supporting the psychosocial wellbeing of children and adolescents by providing opportunities for creative expression and self-mastery. In the new space, hospital staff will be better equipped to assist patients with their special needs, according to Child Life Specialist Jane Darch, who supervises Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge.

“This was the little project that grew into a dream playroom. It’s simply amazing,” Darch said. “Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge is truly a ‘home away from home’ for kids when they come to the hospital. It is designed to be a recreational space that brings patients together with their family and friends. It’s also everything a child specialist could want for any patient population.”

Darch added that it is vital to care for and nurture sick children, so that they can progress to become healthy and productive adults in our society. “To do this, we must make patients feel like they’re not missing out and minimize their trauma of being at the hospital.”

In 2006, Mattamy Homes Limited – through its “Tour de Blue” cycling team – raised the bar in their fundraising efforts for SickKids Foundation and Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge, collecting $390,000 through personal and corporate sponsors.

“Mattamy Homes has been pleased to be involved with the efforts at SickKids Foundation to renovate Marnie’s Lounge,” said Peter Gilgan, president and CEO of Mattamy Homes Limited.“We believe that this area of the hospital serves as a valuable resource for children and their families, during a difficult period in their lives. We hope that the renovations to Marnie’s Rainbow Lounge, including improved services, enhanced technology and increased comfort, will bring a smile to the faces of these brave children.”

[View a tour of the new Marnie's Lounge hosted by SickKids patients.]

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 Elizabeth, Cardiac Patient

Elizabeth was ten months old the first time she came to SickKids. Since then, she has had three surgeries and too many procedures and clinic appointments to count.

In the fall of 2005, a valve in the artery leading from her heart to her lungs wasn’t working despite previous open heart surgeries to repair it.

Blood can leak back into the heart which can cause fatigue and possibly enlarge her heart. This time, she would not need surgery to replace the valve, as she was a candidate for a new procedure.

Elizabeth was one of the first six paediatric non-surgical pulmonary valve replacement patients in North America.

Dr. Lee Benson, Cardiologist and Head of Interventional Cardiology, performs this valve replacement through a catheter – a small tube inserted into the vein in a patient’s leg.

After the procedure, Elizabeth remembered waking up in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) with many tubes attached to her. Patients who receive this treatment can usually go home within 24 hours of the procedure. Elizabeth went home the day after the procedure and was back at school within one week.

With open-heart surgery, she would have to stay home for a month which would make it difficult for even a very motivated student like Elizabeth to keep up with her school work.

Although she feels like she comes to SickKids often, Elizabeth finds time to pursue her many interests such as musical theatre, choir and piano lessons. She also follows an exercise regime and loves to wakeboard and swim in the summer.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Thousands of children like Elizabeth need your support. Donate Now.

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Do you have a SickKids story? Were you a patient at SickKids? Do you have a child, family member or friend who is or was a SickKids patient? Please share your story with us.

We are always looking for new stories to use on our website, in newsletters like this one and in our other print materials. We would love to hear your story!

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11th Annual Icewave Beach Volleyball Tournament - Feb. 3/4 &- 18/19, 2007
Enter the largest indoor beach volleyball tournament in Ontario and support The James Fund at SickKids Foundation (Beach Blast,15 Leswyn Drive, Toronto). February 4 & 5 – Competitive & February 18 & 19 – Recreational. For more information please call 416.237.0123 or visit www.heatwaveevents.com

Grace's Marketplace - Feb. 16 2007
An afternoon of draws and shopping to raise money for The Grace Stanley Tribute Fund at SickKids Foundation, in honour of Grace's 3rd Birthday. Expect products from PartyLite, Tupperware, Gymboree, Rubbermaid and more. Bake Table by the friends of Grace. Our event runs from 1pm to 4pm. Contact: Lesley Compagnon, 905-635-4617, lcompagnon@cogeco.ca, web: http://www.gracestanley.org



Pocock's How To Save A Life Campaign - Feb. 16 - 22, 2007
Philip Pocock's 1st 'How To Save a Life Campaign' features a Junior Dance and an Arts Appreciation night. The dance allows Pocock students to enjoy a spectacular Valentine's Dance and raise money for a good cause. The Arts appreciation will allow students to show their talent and help SickKids Foundation at the same time. Contact Pocock Student Council: pocock.sac@hotmail.com


An Afternoon of Jazz - Feb. 18, 2007
Join us for an Afternoon of Jazz entertainment at the Second Cup at 1595 Bayview Avenue from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday February 18 2007. Performances will be given by a group of Leaside students who attend Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. Donations will be collected for the Hospital for Sick Children. Contact: Madeline Tonelli, 416-569-196, graemew36@hotmail.com


Pancake Day at Molly Bloom's - Feb. 20, 2007
Join us on February 20th 2007 for Pancake Tuesday at Molly Bloom's Irish Pub - 91 Wyndham St North in Guelph. All you can eat pancakes all day, with a donation made to SickKids Foundation. Contact: Mike Flood, 519-741-0158 mfloodc262@rogers.com


Meagan's Walk Gala - Feb. 23, 2007
Please join us for a wonderful evening of food, entertainment and silent auction at the Liberty Grand. Individual tickets are $100.00 per person. All proceeds support The Meagan Bebeneck Endowment Fund at SickKids and b.r.a.i.n.child. For gala tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Meagan's Walk office at (416) 293-7843 or visit the web site at www.meaganswalk.com


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