Newstalk 1010 Gift of Giving for SickKids
Join us for a holiday-filled special event called the Newstalk 1010 Gift of Giving for SickKids on Thursday, December 17 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tune in to Newstalk 1010 to hear this holiday broadcast featuring stories of strength and courage live from The Hospital for Sick Children. Stories like Kaleigh’s
Before birth, Halifax doctors diagnosed Kaleigh with gastroschisis, a disorder in which there is a defect in the abdominal wall. This defect caused Kaleigh’s intestines to protrude outside of the body. Because the bowel is not contained within the abdomen and floats freely with the amniotic fluid, the bowel becomes irritated.
When Kaleigh was born the damage to the bowel was severe. Her bowel was thick, inflamed and inadequate in length to absorb nutrients, a condition known as “Short Bowel Syndrome”. Babies with this condition can’t absorb the necessary nutrients from their diet and are dependent on intravenous nutrition (Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)) for survival. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is a world leader in the care and treatment of children with Short Bowel Syndrome and, at four months of age, Kaleigh’s team in Halifax determined that her best hope for survival was to transfer her to SickKids. Toronto has been her family’s home ever since.
Kaleigh initially came under the care of SickKid’s G.I.F.T. (Group for the Improvement of Intestinal Function and Treatment) program – a team of specialists dedicated to the management of children with intestinal failure. The GIFT program at SickKids began in November 2002 and remains the only formal intestinal rehabilitation program in Canada.
"Since the second transplant Kaleigh has been thriving."
Since the second transplant Kaleigh has been thriving. Her strength gradually returned and she was able to go back to school and resume many activities at home and with her family. She still requires partial TPN but is now able to receive some of her caloric needs, eating by mouth.
How you can support NEWSTALK 1010’s Gift of Giving for SickKids holiday broadcast
Be sure to tune in to NEWSTALK 1010 on December 17 between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Please visit www.sickkidsradiothon.com or call 1-877-798-5437 (KIDS) to donate.
This year, donations will be matched dollar for dollar each hour thanks to the generous support of our Hour of Giving partners: United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, O’Neil Electric and RE/MAX.
For every individual who signs up to be a Miracle Club member during the four hour NEWSTALK 1010’s Gift of Giving for SickKids holiday broadcast, a child who is staying in the hospital over the holidays will receive a stuffed animal.
Every individual who donates will also have their name written on a hanging ornament and displayed on the SickKids Giving Tree for all to enjoy during the holiday season.
Thank you to our radio partner, NEWSTALK 1010, for their support.
We look forward to having you listen in on December 17 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the NEWSTALK 1010 Gift of Giving for SickKids.
