Helena: 2016-17 Children’s Miracle Network Champion
“I was really honoured to represent SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network,” said Helena as she summed up her recent trips to Ottawa and Florida as the 2016-17 Children’s Miracle Network Champion presented by Walmart. “At each event, there was so much cheering, high fives and joy when we entered a room. It was such an awesome experience.”From meeting new friends, chatting with the Prime Minister, and giving hundreds of high-fives to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) supporters, Helena represented not only the strength and courage of children being treated at SickKids and other CMN Hospitals across North America, but was also a passionate advocate for childhood cancer research.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at three years old, Helena underwent daily chemotherapy treatments for 841 consecutive days. Now, at age 11, she is cancer-free.
“While in Ottawa, I was really proud to be able to speak with Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Health Jane Philpott and MP Anita Vanderbeld about the need for more funding for childhood cancer research,” said Helena. “SickKids and other CMN Hospitals are doing great research and are helping to save the lives of children who are fighting cancer. But more funding is needed, so I asked the politicians if they would help me make this happen. I was thankful for the time to speak with them and was pleased with how interested they were in my ideas.”
Helena’s journey began in Ottawa on March 20 with the opportunity to meet up and spend time with Champions from the other 11 children’s hospitals across Canada. After visits with Walmart Canada employees, a trip to Parliament Hill and a chance to celebrate not only an incredible group of ambassadors, but also our country’s paediatric hospitals and the vital role that they play in improving the health of children from coast-to-coast-to-coast, Helena was in flight again, this time to join the 2016-17 Champion Child titleholders from across North America to take part in the Momentum conference and enjoy some time at Disney World.
The annual Momentum conference brings together the many Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partners that make miracles happen every year. It's also a time to celebrate the many Champion families and the work they do as CMN Hospitals Ambassadors.
“My favourite part of Momentum was meeting all of the Champions,” said Helena. “I was inspired by so many of their stories and met so many heroes. I made friends that I plan to stay in touch with and I am so happy that I met them.”
Helena not only made friends with her fellow Champions, but she also won the hearts of many of the adult supporters attending the conference.
“I loved the afternoon I spent with my Walmart friends and RE/MAX buddies,” said Helena. “Derreck from Walmart had magic up his sleeve and got us on so many rides at Disney. Bruce from RE/MAX was so much fun and was constantly making us laugh. And Mary from RE/MAX found us the perfect spot to watch the Disney Parade. Every Princess winked and waved at us.”
She also enjoyed the fact that she had the chance to share this experience with her biggest supporters of all: her family.
“My parents took a thousand photos and we have so many memories of this trip,” said Helena. “And my little sister had such a blast meeting Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Ariel and Moana.”
This opportunity could not have come about without the amazing support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partners. A special shout-out to Walmart for their support of the Champions program and to Air Canada Foundation for providing the flights for all of the Canadian Champions and their families to fly down to Orlando for the “Momentum” celebration.
“While in Ottawa, I was really proud to be able to speak with Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Health Jane Philpott and MP Anita Vanderbeld about the need for more funding for childhood cancer research,” said Helena. “SickKids and other CMN Hospitals are doing great research and are helping to save the lives of children who are fighting cancer. But more funding is needed, so I asked the politicians if they would help me make this happen. I was thankful for the time to speak with them and was pleased with how interested they were in my ideas.”
"I was really honoured to represent SickKids and Children's Miracle Network."
The annual Momentum conference brings together the many Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partners that make miracles happen every year. It's also a time to celebrate the many Champion families and the work they do as CMN Hospitals Ambassadors.
“My favourite part of Momentum was meeting all of the Champions,” said Helena. “I was inspired by so many of their stories and met so many heroes. I made friends that I plan to stay in touch with and I am so happy that I met them.”
Helena not only made friends with her fellow Champions, but she also won the hearts of many of the adult supporters attending the conference.
“I loved the afternoon I spent with my Walmart friends and RE/MAX buddies,” said Helena. “Derreck from Walmart had magic up his sleeve and got us on so many rides at Disney. Bruce from RE/MAX was so much fun and was constantly making us laugh. And Mary from RE/MAX found us the perfect spot to watch the Disney Parade. Every Princess winked and waved at us.”
She also enjoyed the fact that she had the chance to share this experience with her biggest supporters of all: her family.
“My parents took a thousand photos and we have so many memories of this trip,” said Helena. “And my little sister had such a blast meeting Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Ariel and Moana.”
This opportunity could not have come about without the amazing support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partners. A special shout-out to Walmart for their support of the Champions program and to Air Canada Foundation for providing the flights for all of the Canadian Champions and their families to fly down to Orlando for the “Momentum” celebration.
