Donation in Sarah’s Honour Makes her SMILE
Sarah, a clinical fellow working in the Haematology/Oncology department at SickKids, first learned about the hospital while working in both general paediatrics and paediatric oncology in her homeland of Ireland. A number of her mentors had been overseas to work at SickKids and they had returned with nothing but positive impressions. “They had such wonderful things to say about the hospital, the patients, the department of Haematology/Oncology and the fellowship program that I just knew I had to apply.”
Having been at SickKids now since July of this year, she fully understands what her mentors were speaking about. “It is such a satisfying environment to work in,” said Sarah. “Everyone has one goal and motivation and that is to provide the best possible care for the children and their families.”
It is the strength of the families she meets at SickKids that both humble her and inspire her, and she considers it an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to look after them. “I believe it is my responsibility to support them not only in a medical and clinical sense but also from an emotional perspective.”
"It made me immensely proud that I had been able to help this particular family."
Sarah has tough days and moments where she finds herself worrying about her patients. But she also has days that bring her great pride and motivation, such as when she gets to see a patient finish their treatment and be told they are cancer-free, or when she gets to meet a young cancer survivor who is out living their life to the fullest. She is there to support her patients and their families, but she has also discovered that the patients and their families, along with her colleagues, provide her with daily support and motivation.
Have you been impacted by a staff member at SickKids and wish to honour them for the comfort, positivity or brightness they provided in your day? Smiles make a difference, so consider saying thank you with a SMILE.
