|
 |
|
|
| Dear Believe Community Member, |
|
| Thank you for believing in SickKids and for being a member of the SickKids “Believe.” Community. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Return to the Newsletter Front Page |
|
| Back to School Special: Kids Believe In SickKids! |
|
|
 Inspired by the growing number of children that support SickKids at both the Foundation
and the hospital, we are excited to introduce a program called Kids Believe in SickKids.
Directed at kids between the ages of five to 18, the program is designed to assist children and schools with their fundraising strategies and ideas,
as well as provide formal recognition for their efforts as part of the Kids Believe
in SickKids community.
Our mission is to encourage children to be part of a team initiative which will result in
a successful fundraising program and teach them the important effect their efforts have on
the community in which they live.
By participating in the Kids Believe in SickKids program, children learn important
life skills such as: organization, communication and team building. Kids also have the
opportunity to increase their self-esteem and confidence and get the satisfaction of helping
a child in need.
Becoming a member of Kids Believe in SickKids is easy. Simply organize or participate
in a fundraising event at home, through school or your community group and donate the
money to SickKids.
Here are some fundraising ideas kids can
consider:
• Dance-a-thons
• Craft/bake sales
• Talent shows
• Car washes
• Lemonade Stands
These are just a few ideas to think about. We
encourage organizers to be creative and try some
ideas of their own this school year. If you have or know of a child, school
or organization who might be interested in this
program, please download our Kids Believe in
SickKids Guide for more details on how to get started.
If you
have any further questions about Kids Believe
in SickKids, please contact Penny Kroll at
penny.kroll@sickkidsfoundation.com or 416
813 7321.
|
|
| back to top |
|
|
|
 Meet Sydney:
When Sydney spent the day at home with a headache, the last place she expected to end up was in a coma at SickKids. But that’s exactly what happened in the spring of 2005.
It’s a Mother’s Day Nancy will never forget. Only a few weeks earlier, her daughter, Sydney was at home sick with a headache. Nancy had given her Aspirin to help with her aches and pains, but suddenly, Sydney felt much worse.
Nancy rushed Sydney to her local hospital but they weren’t able to diagnose her condition. She was transferred immediately to SickKids Critical Care Unit (CCU) where she was induced into a coma for 11 days and put on life support because she couldn’t breathe on her own.
Doctors diagnosed Sydney with Reye’s Syndrome (pronounced Rye’s), a disease caused by the ingestion of medicine that contains salicylate (such as Aspirin). It affects all organs of the body, but mainly the brain and liver. Reye’s Syndrome occurs predominantly in children and teenagers after flu-like infection and affects approximately one in one million people.
Doctors in the CCU kept close watch on Sydney to ensure that swelling in her brain was decreasing. Sydney’s body was producing excessive quantities of ammonia; a normal level is 40 but Sydney’s ammonia level was at a life-threatening 480.
Sydney came out of the coma on Mother’s Day. Nurses rushed to the CCU Waiting Room to bring Nancy into the CCU because Sydney had a very special message for her mother. Somehow, after her 11-day ordeal, Sydney managed to whisper, “Hi mom. Happy Mother’s Day!”
After coming out of the coma, Sydney needed to relearn all basic functions such as walking and talking because her body endured severe shock from the disease. She spent 40 days at SickKids where she worked with staff members from various departments, including respiratory therapists and physiotherapists, in order to regain her ability to live and move independently.
Sydney has resumed her life back at school with her friends and family. She has spoken at her local church about her time at SickKids. Working with the Kids Believe in SickKids Program – an initiative developed to help children fundraise – Sydney is planning a fundraiser for SickKids with her mom.
Read about other kids like Sydney at www.sickkidsfoundation.com. |
|
| back to top |
|
|
|
 Meet Dr. Angelo Mikrogianakis:
As an Emergency Department physician,
Dr. Angelo Mikrogianakis is one of the
first people children see during their time
at SickKids. In addition to his duties at the hospital, he
also consults as a paediatric transport
physician with Ontario Air Ambulance and
is the medical spokesperson for Safe Kids
Canada.
Dr. Mikrogianakis came to SickKids
in 2003 after completing his Paediatric
Emergency Medicine and Paediatric Trauma
fellowships. He is currently the Paediatric
Trauma and Transport specialist within the
emergency department.
Working in emergency medicine for a
number of years, he has seen the gamut of
injuries – many of which could have been
prevented through education and awareness.
As a result, Dr. Mikrogianakis has made it
part of his mandate to help advance
children’s health by promoting safe childhood
activities through Safe Kids Canada.
Dr. Mikrogianakis’ passion for SickKids has
not gone unnoticed. He has helped the
Foundation’s fundraising efforts whenever
possible. In 2005, after leading Bell Canada,
a corporate partner, through the 24-bed
emergency department, he realized the kind
of impact a few hours of his time could have
on the future of SickKids – and children’s
health. Soon after, Bell announced a gift of
$10 million to SickKids to support projects in
the hospital’s emergency department and
highest priority needs.
“A strong Foundation
is what allows SickKids to push the envelope
in children’s health care. Ensuring community
members support the Foundation, even if
they don’t have an immediate need for it,
allows us to be here if they need us later.”
With interests lying in so many aspects
of children’s health ranging from treating
patients in the ER to fundraising to
promoting safety, it’s no wonder that Dr.
Angelo Mikrogianakis is one of SickKids’
rising stars.
|
|
| back to top |
|
|
|
| Share Your Story: |
|
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! |
|
| back to top |
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events: |
|
| Port Credit Southside Shuffle - September 7 - 10, 2006 |
|
The Southside Shuffle is a music festival that involves 120 bands and 30 pubs and restaurants. This is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to support SickKids Foundation while enjoying amazing entertainment.
Please visit www.southsideshuffle.com for details and a complete list of events. |
|
 |
|
| SickKids' Day with the Argos - September 9 , 2006 |
|
| Come join us for the greatest rivalry game in the CFL as the Toronto Argos take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. A portion of ticket sales in the 500 level will be donated to SickKids Foundation. This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the whole family while raising funds for SickKids. For more information, please contact Vivien at 416-813-7816. |
|
|
|
| Take a Walk on the Wild Side! - September 17, 2006 |
|
Join The Hospital for Sick Children and the Canadian Liver Foundation in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SickKids paediatric liver transplant program. Hosted by Breakfast Television’s Jennifer Valentyne, this fun-filled family day will feature a challenging scavenger hunt, live Max & Ruby show, children’s activities, loot bags and more!
Proceeds will help fund the liver transplant program at SickKids and research into children’s liver disease. Adults $19.00, Children ages 4 to 12 $5.50, Children 3 and under free. Tickets must be purchased in advance through www.liver.ca or by calling 416-491-3353. |
|
|
|
| Lake Shore Dirt Riders Charity Event - September 17, 2006 |
|
| Come to our annual charity race to help raise money for The Hospital for Sick Children. Last year we raised $11,000 and we would like to raise $15,000 this year with everyone’s support. For more information on the event please contact Teresa Jones at 905-373-8836 or visit the website at www.ldrmc.ca. |
|
|
|
| Run For Liane - September 24, 2006 |
|
Join Michal Kapral, the “Joggler” and two-time Guiness World Record holder, and members of “A Run for Liane” fundraising team in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge (5k, ½ marathon, marathon) on Sunday, September 24, 2006.
Liane Forrester, a fun-loving 14 year old, lost her life to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in February 2003. A Run for Liane was organized in her memory and in three years has raised over $85,000. 100% of these proceeds have gone directly to the Childhood Cancer Research Program at The Hospital for Sick Children. With your help, we can continue to provide much needed funds to assist researchers fund causes, better treatments and cures for many forms of childhood cancers. Phone: 416-282-5023 e-mail: run@rememberliane.com
More information: www.RememberLiane.com |
|
|
|
|
| back to top |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
