Going the Extra Mile for a SickKids Kid
Author: Janice Nicholson, Senior Manager | Strategic Communications | Communications & Public Affairs, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Dr. Fraser Golding, a staff cardiologist at SickKids, came into Gabriel’s life before he was even born, monitoring Gabriel while he was still in his mother’s womb. Over the years, as they monitored his heart condition and waited for the time major surgery would inevitably arrive, Golding and Gabriel formed a special bond.
Gabriel 2.0: Just Get It Over With
Watch the video which Gabriel and his family posted, in an effort to help him recover from his fourth heart surgery.
"He is collecting likes while he collects his bravery beads..."
Gabriel, now 10, is recovering at SickKids from a successful heart surgery. He and his family have posted the two videos on YouTube and now Gabriel is eagerly watching the views and likes. As Golding puts it, “He is collecting likes while he collects his bravery beads,” referencing the SickKids program which allows children to collect a different bead for each medical procedure as a way to represent their unique and special journey through treatment.
What inspired Golding to go to these lengths for Gabriel? Golding underwent a major surgery himself just one year ago. Still recovering, he knows first-hand just how unsettling an experience such as this can be and uses this new perspective to go that extra mile to provide comfort and reassurance to patients at SickKids.
Help us make Gabriel’s wish come true and make these videos go viral. Please take a moment to watch them, like them and share them with your friends and followers. To access the videos on YouTube, click here. You can also watch them below.
