Donor Stories – Leblanc Family
After their son received life-saving heart surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Susan and Paul Leblanc felt as though they had hit the jackpot. Their numbers came up again in April of this year when they won the grand prize in the SickKids Lottery.
The Leblanc family’s longtime support of the SickKids Lottery finally paid off to the tune of $1 million. The cheque was presented to them by Ted Garrard, President and CEO of SickKids Foundation, and 13-year-old SickKids patient, Kaitlyn O’Brien, during a celebration at the Hospital.
The Leblanc family’s support of the Foundation began when their son Zacharie underwent open-heart surgery at SickKids. Seven months old at the time, Zacharie’s surgery corrected his congenital heart defect Outlet Right Ventricle syndrome. Now almost three, he is a happy, healthy child who loves playing with his older brother Matthew who is four.
“It’s very emotional to see him and to say thank you again.”
During the cheque presentation at the Hospital, the Leblanc family received quite the surprise. Zacharie’s surgeon, Dr. Glen Van Arsdell, stopped by to offer his congratulations.
“It was good to see him again,” Susan Leblanc said to Toronto Sun videographer Ian Robertson. “We appreciate everything he did when we were first here. It’s very emotional to see him and (great) to say thank you again.”
Funds generated from the SickKids Lottery provide much needed funds to help support the critical needs at The Hospital for Sick Children.
For more information on the SickKids Lottery, please visit sickkidslottery.ca.
