Memories for Miracles: Meet Trudy
Trudy’s passion for raising funds in support of SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network comes from a very personal place. That is because she has experienced first-hand the astounding care that a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital offers to the most critical and vulnerable of patients. Sadly, Trudy and her husband lost their first born baby girl, Lauren, a few days after birth. Yet, for the short time that Lauren was alive, Trudy felt she was given the best chance at survival by the team of healthcare professionals at SickKids.“From the incredibly skilled and compassionate transfer team, to the experienced and tender nurses in the NICU and right up to the accomplished and kind-hearted doctors, we couldn’t help but feel that they were our shelter in the storm. We have so much gratitude for all they did for us.”
In honour of Lauren, the family recently established the Lauren Taylor Wilson pledge. This pledge will support the highest-priority needs at SickKids in the areas of medical research, education and patient care, through the Possibilities Fund.
It was a fellow colleague at RE/MAX who inspired Trudy, who is a broker working at RE/MAX Eastern in Bridgenorth, to develop the Lauren Taylor Wilson pledge.
“Bruce Johnson, of RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach, has been a huge inspiration to me with his Motorcycle for Miracles Tour which raised money for SickKids in honour of his daughter, Alyssa Rae,” said Trudy. “Coincidentally, our daughters were both born the same year and cared for by SickKids.”
RE/MAX, which has been a proud supporter of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1992, has raised more than $56 million across Canada. The funds are primarily generated through the Miracle Home Program, where agents and brokers donate a percentage of each real estate transaction to their local Children’s Miracle Network member hospital.
“It is the individuals within the organization that make this program such a success,” said Trudy. “Many of my colleagues make regular donations to their Children’s Miracle Network member hospital with every sale that they complete."
"They were our shelter in the storm"
This month, RE/MAX is spearheading an online fundraising campaign called #MemoriesforMiracles. Canadians are encouraged to post a childhood photo on Facebook, make a donation to Children’s Miracle Network and then tag three people to take on the challenge as well. Although started by RE/MAX, anyone touched by a Children’s Miracle Network member hospital is encouraged to take part. You can learn more about the challenge here. You can also visit the #MemoriesforMiracles page to provide your support to this campaign.
As for Trudy, next year she has decided to take on a big challenge in support of the Lauren Taylor Wilson Pledge by swimming 386 km of the Trent Canal System, from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario, over the course of the summer. Follow the Lauren Taylor Wilson Pledge on Facebook for further updates on this amazing feat!
On behalf of everyone at SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network, we would like to extend our thanks to Trudy for her ongoing and passionate support. We would also like to say thank you to every RE/MAX professional who has chosen to provide support to SickKids through the Miracle Home Program and #MemoriesforMiracles.
