Meet Taylum: SickKids Lottery ambassador
Born six weeks early, Taylum was unable to breathe on his own. Rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SickKids, Taylum was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure due to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, a very rare disease that caused Taylum’s enlarged kidneys to essentially crush his lungs and stomach.His diseased kidneys were also causing dangerous electrolyte imbalances in his blood, causing him to have dangerously high blood pressure which could not be controlled with five different medications. Both kidneys were ultimately removed and Taylum was placed on dialysis.
Happily, Taylum has turned a corner and is improving.
Taylum’s story is still unfolding. Taylum and Désirée, his mother, have set up temporary residence in Toronto while Taylum undergoes hemodialysis 2.5 hours a day, six days a week at the kidney ward of SickKids. Darren, Taylum’s father, travels the 400 kilometers from their home in Sudbury as often as possible and is undergoing extensive testing in the hopes of being a match to his son and donating one of his kidneys once Taylum has met the height and weight milestones.
Of SickKids, Désirée says: “The doctors, nurses and surgeons at SickKids saved my son’s life, and for that I am infinitely grateful. They are compassionate and committed to doing what’s best for Taylum all while supporting my husband and I through what has proven to be an immeasurably difficult journey. The genuine warmth of the people at SickKids is something I won’t soon forget.”
Taylum's SickKids Story
"The doctors, nurses and surgeons at SickKids saved my son’s life, and for that I am infinitely grateful."
Every SickKids Lottery ticket contributes to SickKids’ ability to help children just like Taylum. You can make a difference too by supporting our newest SickKids Lottery. Help fund the care, research and learning that will make a real and lasting difference for children in Canada and around the world.
This winter’s lottery is filled with exciting chances to win great prizes.
- A grand prize of $1 million.
- You have 1 in 2 odds* to win with SickKids Lottery.
- You can play the SickKids 50/50 Draw, which has a minimum payout of $250,000, when you order a SickKids Lottery ticket.
- Have the chance to win a $1,000 cash every hour with our NEW 24-hour cash madness (order by midnight January 16, 2015).
- There are also cars, vacations and more to be won! Over 50,000 prizes in total!
Do you have friends, family or co-workers who want to take part in the SickKids Lottery? Consider taking part in the Group Purchase Program, which allows people to get together to order more tickets for less. Each person you invite can pay for her/his tickets individually, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of collecting money from your group members. No matter how small or large your group is, you’ll be making a huge difference in the lives of sick children.
Visit the SickKids Lottery website for more details and to order your tickets today.
*See rules and regulations at www.sickkidslottery.ca LL#7008 50/50LL#7007
