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Spring edition of BC Children's Hospital Foundation "Speaking of Children" magazine
Citation preview
spring 2012
bcchf.ca
EPILEPSY CARE
GAIT LAB
CHOKING HAZARDS
MIRACLE WEEKEND PREVIEW
Sunny HillOne-of-a-kind rehabilitation
and developmental care
for BC’s kids.
superhero news
2 speaking of children spring 2012
Christen Dodge is a proud employee
of CIBC. Her dedication to BC Chil-
dren’s Hospital helped move her bank
to designate its $1-million gift to
the Campaign for BC Children to the
Oncology Inpatient Unit in the new
Children’s Hospital.
Ten years ago, when Christen’s broth-
er, Cody, was 10, doctors found an
inoperable tumour in his brain after
a routine eye exam. Since then, Cody
has been receiving regular cancer treatment at BC Children’s
Hospital. Despite his illness Cody leads an active life, work-
ing on fishing boats and playing soccer in his spare time. He
believes in living life to its fullest.
Inspired by her brother’s fighting spirit and the unwavering
support of Children’s caregivers, Christen is an active ambas-
sador for the hospital, championing fundraising initiatives
at her workplace and volunteering her time to serve on the
banks division committee for the annual Miracle Weekend.
Recently Christen became the chair of CIBC’s 2012 employ-
ee fundraising campaign for BC Children’s Hospital, leading
activities at over 150 CIBC branches across BC.
“For half of [Cody’s] life he’s had to battle,” said Christen.
“I want to help give the Foundation more money to fund
research and more treatment options for these kids. I want
to help find a cure.”
Like Christen, many passionate people from all walks of life
– from the mining and retail industries, to hospitality and
real estate and development – give their time and energy to
support the hospital through employee-led campaigns and
Miracle Weekend. Volunteers are the backbone of many of
the Foundation’s events and their successes.
CIBC’s million-dollar gift to the Campaign for BC Children in
May 2011 follows a number of gifts from other banks. In 2008,
BMO made a $2-million gift to the Emergency Department
of the new Children’s Hospital, which is expected to open
in 2017. That gift was followed by a $2-million contribution
from RBC toward mental health in 2009. And in November
2011, Scotiabank committed to a $1-million gift in support of
Child Health BC and its regional subspecialty clinics.
With the participation of banks, other corporations and
individuals across the province, BC Children’s Hospital
Foundation has raised $139 million of its $200-million goal.
Left: Christen Dodge; Below: Members of the Miracle Weekend banks committee. Left to right (front row): Andrew Gordon, HSBC; Susanne Kingshott, Scotiabank; Mark Simoes, CIBC; (centre row): Daniel Lee, HSBC; Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank; Alex Fan, CIBC; Christen Dodge, CIBC; (back row): Russ Aunger, Scotiabank; Jacqueline Poissant, Canadian Western Bank; Yiwen Guo, TD; Leah Iverson, TD; Berenika Straczek, RBC. Missing: Garth Stoll, HSBC; Angel Tabernero, RBC; Wayne Brown, BMO; Mike Dunnigan, Scotiabank; Bruce Hogg, BMO.
Banks rally around BC’s kids
spring 2012 speaking of children 3
www.bcchf.ca
MANAGING EDITORStephen Forgacs
EDITORWinnie Tam
CONTRIBUTORS Mona Bhullar, Rebecca Keillor,
Joanna Newman, Janice Williams
PHOTOGRAPHYVincent L. Chan,
Invisionation Photography; Irvin Cheung; Brian Hawkes,
Brian Hawkes Photographic Inc.; James LaBounty;
Suzanne Paxton, The Image of You
ART DIRECTORGabriele Chaykowski
PROJECT MANAGER Casey Crawford
PRODUCED BY
For more information about the editorial content of Speaking of Children or to make a donation
to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation or Sunny Hill Foundation, please contact
604-875-2444, toll-free at 1-888-663-3033 or [email protected].
Charitable Business Number: 11885 2433 RR0001
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation 938 West 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to SOC Editor at address above.
Speaking of Children is published three times annually by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Supporters who donate $50 or more receive a
one-year subscription to the magazine, which is also distributed to government officials, public
health units and libraries throughout the province.
Publication sales agreement #40659514
spring 2012
inside speaking of children
features6
8
10
14
Relearning LifeA three-year-old rebounds after losing the ability to sit up, walk and swallow.
Motion CaptureSunny Hill’s gait lab assesses children with walking challenges.
Giving VoiceElectronic devices and a customized wheelchair help a teenager communicate and lead an active life.
2012 Miracle Weekend PreviewOur 2012 Miracle Weekend chair and Champion Child share their thoughts and stories.
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for
Children and the Child & Family Research Institute.
A PUBLICATION OF
superhero news
well said
ask the expert
speaking of people
what’s on
healthy habits
what’s up, doc?
children speak
24
111213161819
departments
10
Interested in receiving your
Speaking of Children online?
Sign up for our
electronic mailing list at
www.bcchf.ca/mailinglist.
6
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children
is dedicated to caring for children with
complex rehabilitation and developmental
needs. For over 25 years, Sunny Hill has
helped tens of thousands of BC’s children
and youth learn and regain basic life skills –
from walking and talking, to swallowing and
communicating – giving them the chance
of a brighter future.
Sunny Hill is a sister facility to BC Children’s
Hospital, and its child rehabilitation and
development programs are unique in the
province. When a child has a serious accident
and requires rehabilitation, or is born with
a congenital condition that affects their
learning and development, families turn to
Sunny Hill for the support they need.
Many children at Sunny Hill are not sick in the traditional sense. While some may fully
recover from injuries, many others are supported by Sunny Hill staff as they strive to
gain a greater degree of independence or the ability to communicate. It’s the goal of
every Sunny Hill specialist to help children reach their potential and to enhance each
child’s quality of life. By using a variety of methods and tools – such as physiotherapy,
customized wheelchairs and electronic communication devices – our staff help children
and their families achieve individual goals, cope with change and connect with those
around them.
When you give to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation you are not only helping kids at BC
Children’s Hospital; you are also supporting children and families at Sunny Hill. You help
us give them the specialized care they need in a warm and supportive environment. And
when construction of the new Children’s Hospital is complete, children and families will
be able to access these same services, as well as the hospital’s, on one site, eliminating
the need for families to travel between the two facilities and enhancing collaboration
among our caregivers.
I thank you for your support and hope you enjoy reading about some of the children
served at Sunny Hill in this issue.
Sincerely,
David DoigChair, Sunny Hill Foundation for Children
Board of Directors
4 speaking of children spring 2012
well said
One-of-a-Kind Care BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Board of Directors 2012 as of February 1, 2012
Mr. Kevin Bent, Chair
Mr. Chris Carty
Mr. David Doig
Mr. Larry Gold
Mr. Doug Gordon
Mr. Peter Green
Mrs. Tammi Kerzner
Mr. Don Lindsay
Mr. Graham MacLachlan
Mr. Geoff Parkin
Mr. David Podmore
Dr. Ralph Rothstein
Ms. Sandy So
Ms. Andrea Southcott
Mrs. Diane Zell
Foundation Executive
Teri Nicholas, MSW, RSWPresident & CEO
Knut Nordlie, CFREVice President and Chief Operating Officer
Debora Sweeney, CFREVice President and Chief Communications Officer
spring 2012 speaking of children 5
Being able to walk, talk and swallow is something most of
us take for granted. But for some kids at Sunny Hill Health
Centre for Children, acquiring these skills takes hard work.
Located in East Vancouver, Sunny Hill cares for over 5,000
children with complex developmental and rehabilitation
needs from more than 300 BC communities a year. Each
of these children is unique, yet they share a common goal
– to maximize their abilities so they can lead the most
independent and fulfilling life possible.
In this issue of Speaking of Children, you will meet a toddler
who, with help from specialists at Sunny Hill, relearned
how to swallow, sit up and walk after mysteriously losing
these abilities overnight. You will also see how advanced
technologies are helping children walk, communicate and
participate in sports. BC’s children are fortunate to have
access to the specialized services at Sunny Hill. Your support
is helping to make them available to our province’s children
and families.
Maximizing Potential
The night Lisa O’Hara heard a strange noise coming from
her 17-month-old daughter Carleigh’s baby monitor, her first
thought was an innocent one. “I thought it was the wind,”
she says. She was shocked to find the sound was actually
coming from Carleigh, who lay unconscious in her crib and
was struggling to breathe.
This was to be Lisa’s first experience with her now three-
year-old daughter’s epilepsy or seizure disorder, diagnosed
after a week spent in BC Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit.
“It was surreal,” says Lisa. “Because I think a lot of people
think that when you see a seizure it’s convulsing and maybe
foaming at the mouth, and that’s not at all what she was
like. To me I didn’t even know how they knew she was hav-
ing a seizure. I was kind of in a daze.”
Lisa and her husband, Ryan, received the devastating news
that extensive testing on the electrical activity and struc-
ture of Carleigh’s brain revealed abnormalities in her
frontal lobes. And when Carleigh regained consciousness
she was a changed girl.
“She lost everything,” says Lisa. “She couldn’t swallow.
She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t do anything. All she did was
scream, but she had no voice because she was intubated.”
6 speaking of children spring 2012
feature story
Relearning LifeCarleigh O’Hara lost her ability to walk, talk and swallow overnight. While the exact cause of her condition may never be discovered, her family is thankful that specialists at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children are there to help Carleigh deal with her challenges.
by REBECCA KEILLOR
spring 2012 speaking of children 7
What exactly happened to Carleigh that night is still some-
thing of a mystery. She has undergone over 100 tests, sent
as far afield as Amsterdam, and the results have all come
back negative. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, or
ADEM, was at first suspected. ADEM is an infection that
affects the brain and causes inflammation or damage to
different areas within the brain, but a diagnosis was never
confirmed. What was confirmed was epilepsy with develop-
mental issues.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder, says Kim Tully, former acting
program manager of Nursing and Acute Rehabilitation at
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, where Carleigh went
for her rehabilitation.
“Basically it just means that your electrical activity of the
brain doesn’t always function correctly; it might misfire or
it’s overactive. During this abnormal electrical activity a
person’s level of consciousness, body movements or sensa-
tions may be affected,” says Kim.
Epilepsy is not an uncommon disorder. Roughly 40,000
people in British Columbia and around 300,000 people in
Canada have epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
Because of the severity of Carleigh’s loss of development,
a specialized brain injury team at Sunny Hill stepped in to
provide the professional care she needed. This multidisci-
plinary team includes, among others, nurses, physicians,
social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists,
speech language pathologists, psychologists, recreational
therapists and staff who help with infant development.
“There was a therapist working with her every day on some-
thing,” says Lisa. “I can’t say enough about Sunny Hill. From
her social worker to basically all of the therapists and the
nurses, they were all fabulous. They just fell in love with
Carleigh. They were like our family.”
Staff at Sunny Hill set a goal for Carleigh: they wanted to get
her swallowing by herself and crawling before sending her
home. It took three months to achieve this. Lisa and Ryan
appreciated Sunny Hill’s family-focused approach, which
included a social worker giving them a tour of the facility
prior to Carleigh’s transfer from Children’s Hospital, and
arrangements for six months of acute care from the Com-
munity Brain Injury Program for Children and Youth in
British Columbia when Carleigh was discharged.
“At Sunny Hill we encourage the families to be a part of the
team, right from day one,” says Kim. “We bring them on
board, explain to them what’s going on, who’s involved and
really see what goals and hopes they have for their child,
and try and build that into the treatment plan.”
The transition from Children’s Hospital to Sunny Hill will be
made smoother for patients when the new hospital opens
in 2017 and Sunny Hill is relocated to the hospital’s campus.
Having Sunny Hill at the same site as the hospital will
eliminate the need for Sunny Hill patients like Carleigh to
travel to Children’s Hospital for follow-up care, IV therapy
or X-rays, as they currently do.
To date, Carleigh’s progress has been slow, physically and
mentally. She is still in diapers, is unstable on her feet and is
not yet talking. But she is improving and, Lisa says, Carleigh
is a happy child.
“She’s always had a smile. That’s something all the ther-
apists at Sunny Hill would say about Carleigh,” says Lisa.
“She was a joy to work with because she was happy to see
them. I try to update all the therapists and send them pic-
tures and stuff because I really felt like they cared and
wanted to see the best for my child.”
To make a donation to Sunny Hill
Health Centre for Children, please
visit www.bcchf.ca.
Christian Martinez stands at the edge of the mat, patient-
ly awaiting his cue. The 11-year-old’s body is speckled with
electrodes and reflective markers – each one strategically
placed at a joint or muscle. He gets the signal and starts
walking. With each step, Christian’s movements are cap-
tured, recorded and translated into digital 3D images.
Motion capture technology has been widely used for years
in video game development and movie production. It’s what
makes animated characters look so life-like – whether it’s
the athlete in a video game or the character of Tintin in the
recently released movie. It also has its uses well beyond the
realm of video games and movies – it has found its place in
the world of medicine.
Christian continues his walk across the mat. He’s not per-
forming the movements as part of an animated character
role; he’s taking steps, one at a time, so Alec Black, direc-
tor of the Shriners Gait Lab at Sunny Hill Health Centre for
Children, can assess his stride, or gait.
“Motion capture technology allows us to conduct non-inva-
sive diagnosis – measure and evaluate walking patterns
– so we can understand and resolve complex gait problems
in children,” says Alec. “In our lab, we see children with
cerebral palsy, spina bifida as well as those who have had
traumatic brain or spine injuries or have lost a limb.”
Christian was diagnosed with moderate cerebral palsy
when he was nine months old and intermediate intellectual
delay at the age of four and a half. “I noticed that he wasn’t
developing like other babies his age,” says Christian’s moth-
er, Blanca. “He wasn’t crawling or making any baby sounds
and was reaching his milestones much later than his peers.”
After diagnosis, Christian began intensive therapy to help
him with his speech, language and mobility challenges.
“Christian’s orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Richard Beauchamp) told
us that Christian would benefit from extensive physiother-
apy sessions because as his body was growing, his muscles
were beginning to stiffen, compromising his ability to walk,”
says Blanca. Christian’s first visit to the gait lab was when he
was four years old; he’s been back several times since then.
“When a patient first arrives, they go through a physical
assessment with one of our physiotherapists,” says Alec.
“This includes a number of muscle tests and joint range of
motion measurements. Then we place 16 electrodes over key
Christian Martinez gets tested at the Shriners Gait Lab at Sunny Hill with the help of occupational therapist, Val Ward.
feature story
Walk this Way The Shriners Gait Lab at Sunny Hill uses high-tech video game gear to find solutions for children with walking-related disabilities.
by MONA BHULLAR
8 speaking of children spring 2012
muscles of a child’s body, like we do for Christian, as well as
reflective markers at specific anatomical points. These allow
us to measure the electrical impulses of Christian’s muscles
in action, while at the same time the motion capture cam-
eras allow us to capture his movements digitally.”
The recent addition of equipment that measures foot pres-
sure – the distribution of forces exerted on the ground
and absorbed by the body while walking – has further
enhanced the work of the gait lab team, which comprises
orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, kinesiologists and
engineers. “With the extra markers and the addition of the
foot pressure measurement equipment, we get an even bet-
ter understanding of the different foot segments,” says Alec.
“We can see what Christian’s feet are actually doing and by
comparing his walking with normal gait patterns, we can
quite accurately determine if his feet are functioning prop-
erly. If we do find problems, we can make the appropriate
surgical, orthotic or therapeutic recommendations. In Chris-
tian’s case, he was fitted with custom orthotic foot braces to
help him walk better.”
Before computerized gait analysis systems were developed,
clinicians relied solely on observation. “As we know, there
are a multitude of complex movements and relationships
between body segments as a person walks,” says Alec. “Even
for a trained clinician, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to see
and understand the interplay taking place.”
The team at the lab, which is one of only three such clinic-
al facilities in Western Canada, sees about 250 children each
year; since 1997, they have helped thousands of children find
solutions to their walking-related challenges.
“The braces have really helped,” says Blanca. “Christian can
hold his body straighter and is walking with a little more
ease. And the visits to the gait lab have made a difference.
We’ve noticed that Christian’s endurance has improved
and he’s not getting tired as quickly as he used to. He’s also
becoming a lot more confident in himself.”
Once the exercises are finished, Alec lets Christian have a
little fun. The sixth-grader, with his wires and markers still
attached, breaks out in dance and watches, grinning, as
the 3D skeletal image on screen dances with him – in
perfect sync.
Below: Christian and his mom, Blanca.
Gait lab director, Alec Black, shows Christian his 3D skeletal image.
spring 2012 speaking of children 9
Ben Fullerton and his mom, Lori.
feature story
Ben Fullerton is much like other 13-year-olds; he enjoys
video games and chats with friends online. It’s his other
accomplishments that set the Langley teen apart: he plays
power soccer and met the CBC’s Rick Mercer recently at a
practice and, for two consecutive years, has placed third in
the Pacific Northwest Optimist Communication Contest.
Ben has accomplished these feats – from the everyday to
the exceptional – all from the seat of his power wheelchair.
Ben was born with a type of cerebral palsy that affects his
ability to walk and speak.
“Ben has normal thinking ability, it’s just that his body
doesn’t cooperate,” says his mother, Lori. “He’s unable to
speak and be properly understood and he’s unable to write.”
That’s where Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children’s assist-
ive technology team comes in. “The creativity of the people
at Sunny Hill is astounding; they always find a way to make
things work,” says Lori.
The team has helped Ben find a way to speak his mind, set-
ting him up with a speech-generating device – a talking
computer – that enables him to communicate. “We work
closely with each child, their family and their community
health team to determine if we can improve a child’s day-
to-day life through the aid of assistive technology,” says
Nicole Wilkins, Ben’s occupational therapist at Sunny Hill.
“Ben controls the movements of his wheelchair and the
movements of his computer mouse all by lightly tapping his
head against switches that are built right into his wheel-
chair headrest,” explains Nicole.
“As Ben’s body grows, we continuously make adjustments
to the seating, head array, and display,” says Nicole. “All the
pieces have to be perfectly aligned. It’s extremely compli-
cated but well worth it. Ben’s a totally amazing kid.”
Lori couldn’t agree more. “The device has really given Ben an
independence to communicate,” she says. “He uses words,
symbols and pictures that have been programmed into the
computer to help him communicate. It takes a long time,
but Ben doesn’t give up.”
Assistance of a Special KindAdvanced, custom technologies help a teenager communicate and play.
by MONA BHULLAR
10 speaking of children spring 2012
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is grateful for the leadership and support of Dr. Doug Cochrane, who has stepped down as a governor, an appointment he has held since 2005.
The Foundation is pleased to welcome four new governors.
Robin Dhir is the president of Twin Brook Developments Ltd., which focuses on the development, construction and man-agement of residential real estate. He is the founding chair of the A Night of Mir-acles gala, which, since 2009, has raised $678,000 for BC Children’s Hospital. Robin plays an active role in the community and is on the Board of Directors of Canada Place Corporation.
Bjorn Moller recently retired as CEO of Teekay Shipping, one of the largest ship-ping companies in the world. He had been with the company since 1985. Bjorn has served on several professional asso-ciations and is vice-chair of the Mulgrave School Foundation Board in West Van-couver.
Russ and Karen Grant are ex-Winnipeg-gers who retired to Victoria in 2008 after a 40-year stopover in Calgary. Karen was a clinical nurse who trained at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and worked with chil-dren with learning difficulties at Calgary Academy. Russ is an engineer from the University of Manitoba and spent his career consulting in the energy industry. They are both looking forward to being ambassadors for the Foundation on Van-couver Island.
spring 2012 speaking of children 11
OUR EXPERTS ANSWER COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANNED GIVING.
What are the benefits of naming
a charity in my will?
A common misconception about planned giving or estate planning is that
it is only for the wealthy. The truth is everyone can make a difference and
support their charity or charities of choice through a bequest in their will.
1. Simplicity: It is easy to leave a legacy gift. Just a few sentences in your
will are all that is needed. Visit a lawyer or notary experienced in estate
planning to help you include your charitable bequest(s) in a new will or add
a codicil to an existing will.
2. Flexibility: You can revise your will throughout your life as your situation
changes. In fact, it’s wise to review and update your will regularly, and
particularly after major events in your life (e.g. marriage, birth of a child,
divorce, death of a parent etc.) as these events may have an impact on your
ability and desire to include charitable bequests.
3. Versatility: You can structure the bequest in a manner that best suits
your needs. A specific bequest leaves a specific amount of money or
property to a charity; a residual bequest donates all or a portion of your
estate after all debts, taxes and other bequests have been made; and a
contingent bequest (also known as a “disaster” clause) allows you to donate
your estate to a charity when circumstances make it impossible to carry
out your primary bequest (e.g. if your spouse predeceases you).
4. Tax Relief: While not a primary concern for everyone, you can reduce
taxes payable upon your death by including charitable bequests. Your estate
may use charitable receipts to reduce taxes owing in the year of death up to
100 per cent of your net income and in the year preceding death.
The final benefit of leaving a charitable bequest is knowing that your legacy
gift to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation will support advances in child
health for years to come.
When including a gift to BC Children’s Hospital in your will or any other
document, please remember to use our correct legal name: British
Columbia’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. For more information on how
to support BC Children’s Hospital through a bequest in your will, please
contact a member of our expert team below.
ask the expert
Charitable BequestsNEW GOVERNORS WELCOMED
DIANE HAARSTAD Philanthropy Officer
604-875-3679 [email protected]
JANICE WILLIAMSPhilanthropy Officer
12 speaking of children spring 2012
CRYSTAL BALLThe 25th annual Crystal Ball, presented by The
Radcliffe Foundation, raised a net total of $1.2
million toward the Campaign for BC Children.
The Crystal Ball committee, chaired by Diane
Norton, treated guests to the delectable culinary
creations of Four Seasons’ executive chef Ned
Bell, perfectly paired with wines from Painted
Rock Estate Winery. The event was made pos-
sible by crystal sponsors Canaccord Financial,
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, New Gold Inc., PNG
Gold and Universal Packaging; crystal in-kind
sponsors the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
and Contac Services; and other generous spon-
sors and guests. Visit www.bcchf.ca/crystalball.
HOLIDAY TEAOver 350 guests attended the 2011 Holiday
Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.
This annual event celebrates and honours the
generosity of the hospital’s Children’s Circle
of Care, Circle of Courage and Caring for the
Future Society members, as well as other hos-
pital supporters. Teri Nicholas, the Foundation’s
president and CEO, Dr. Eleanor Reimer, head
of Pediatric Anesthesia at BC Children’s, and
cancer patient, Lindsey Lourenco, and her dad,
Tony, all addressed guests from their unique
perspective. The tea was generously presented
by the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. Event
photos can be viewed at www.flickr.com/bcchf/.
A NIGHT OF MIRACLESThe third annual A Night of Miracles, co-pre-
sented by Fasken Martineau and RBC, took
place at the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle
Downtown. Bringing together more than 400
community and business leaders, this sold-out,
black-tie event raised over $300,000 toward
the South Asian community’s five-year pledge
to raise $3 million to support the construc-
tion of an interventional radiology room in the
new Children’s Hospital. Guests were treated
to an evening of fantastic entertainment and
culinary delights. The event was made possible
by VIP sponsors BMW, Faronics and HSBC;
entertainment sponsors KTL Transport and
Dealfun.com; cocktail reception sponsor Ody-
ssey International, and evening sponsors
Ampri Group, The Beedie Group, KPMG, Lucky
Janda, Lawson Lundell, Nature’s Path and
Smythe Ratcliffe.
speaking of people
1
2
5
4
FOR CHILDREN WE CAREOn February 4, the 2012 For Children We Care
gala raised $669,999 for Operation Superhero
– a campaign initiated by the Chinese-Canad-
ian community to raise $5 million in three years
to name the Oncology Inpatient Unit in the
new Children’s Hospital. Organized by the
Chinese-Canadian community, this annual
black-tie event attracted close to 1,000 guests
to the Vancouver Convention Centre. To date,
Operation Superhero – including proceeds from
the 2012 gala – has raised $3.8 million.
FESTIVAL OF TREESThe 2011 Vancouver Festival of Trees, presen-
ted by Union Securities, celebrated its silver
anniversary by raising $160,000 for the Cam-
paign for BC Children – the event’s biggest total
yet. Venue sponsors Four Seasons Hotel Vancou-
ver and Pacific Centre graciously displayed the
beautiful trees decorated by corporate and com-
munity participants. The People’s Choice Award
went to The Delf Group Inc. Congratulations!
2011 marked the 20th anniversary of the
Victoria Festival of Trees, which raised a record-
breaking $126,000 in support of BC Children’s
Hospital. The event was once again hosted by
the Fairmont Empress. More than 15,000 votes
were cast for the 77 beautifully decorated trees.
Two other island communities also hosted
festivals. The Port Alberni Community for Kids
committee raised $14,500 and the Sooke Com-
munity for Kids committee raised $5,500.
Congratulations go to the People’s Choice Award
winners: in Victoria - Super Nurses for Super
Heroes; in Port Alberni - The Kinette Club of Port
Alberni; and in Sooke - Sooke Montessori.
WILLIAMS LAKE GIVES BACKThe Mahon family of Williams Lake knew they
wanted to give back. Their son, Gregorson, was
diagnosed with cancer when he was 15, and
after 30 chemotherapy treatments and three
surgeries at the hospital, Gregorson is now
in remission and back at home. In late 2010
Gregorson’s dad, Steve – an owner of Macon
Construction Ltd. – came up with the idea of
building a home with proceeds going to the
hospital. The home was completed in December
2011, with the help of many people in Williams
Lake, who donated services and supplies in
support of the construction.
Photos (from left): 1 Tree decorated by The Delf Group Inc.,
2011 Vancouver Festival of Trees People’s Choice Award
winner; 2 Crystal Ball honourees Marjorie-Anne Sauder,
Joseph Segal, Isabelle Diamond and Stephanie Carlson;
3 Will Westeringh, Fasken Martineau; Tim Manning, RBC;
Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospi-
tal Foundation; Kevin Bent, chair of BC Children’s Hospital
Foundation’s Board of Directors; Robin Gill, Global Nation-
al; and Robin Dhir, Twin Brook Developments Ltd. at the
2011 A Night of Miracles; 4 Ken and Gladys Smith, and
their niece, Debbie Boyce (left), at the 2011 Holiday Tea;
5 The 2012 For Children We Care gala raises $669,999;
6 House constructed by Macon Construction Ltd.
what’s on
AUCTIONMART
This year marks the 10th annual
AuctionMart online auction, hosted by
The Province and The Vancouver Sun
newspapers. As always, bidders get great
deals on merchandise while, for the second
year, helping BC’s kids. AuctionMart runs
from March 24 to April 2. Ten per cent
of net proceeds from AuctionMart –
the largest online auction in North America
– will be donated to the Campaign for
BC Children. Register as a bidder today at
www.vancouversun.com/auctions.
3
6
spring 2012 speaking of children 13
MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
On Mother’s Day weekend, May 12 and 13,
treat your mom while helping BC’s kids
through the Caring a la Carte program.
Numerous restaurants will donate a por-
tion of proceeds to the hospital. Visit
www.bcchf.ca/mother-s-day-campaign for
more information.
14 speaking of children spring 2012
miracle weekend
Tune in Saturday, June 2, at 7 pm through Sunday, June 3, at 6 pm
On Thursday, April 26, British
Columbians are invited to support the
22nd annual Jeans Day™. Purchase a
$20 lapel pin or a $5 button and wear
jeans to work or school to support BC Children’s
Hospital. Sign up to be a Jeans Day™ champion at
www.jeansday.ca and register your group today!
Get your buttons at Thrifty Foods, London Drugs,
Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods, PriceSmart
Foods, Cooper’s Foods, Urban Fare and Costco
Wholesale. Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/jeansday.
Looking for a great team-building
experience for your company?
Step up to the plate at the 22nd
annual Slo-Pitch event at Softball
City taking place May 25, 26 and 27. Your team
could be the next top fundraiser in your industry
to receive a fun Vancouver Canadians experience.
Raise $3,000 as a team toward the $475,000
event goal and join 80 other teams to support
BC’s kids. Register your corporate team to play
(on one day only) at www.bcchf.ca/slopitch.
On Sunday, May 27 join BC’s
South Asian community for
the 14th annual A World of
Smiles Telethon benefiting
BC Children’s Hospital on
Shaw Multicultural Channel (cable 119), Shaw
Direct (channel 299) and your local Shaw TV
channel. The event, the result of a longstanding
partnership between Shaw and the South Asian
community, has raised over $3.3 million for BC’s
kids. Contact Tanya Linau at [email protected] or
604-875-2345 ext. 4643.
The Chinese-Canadian community is in the final
year of Operation Superhero – an initiative
dedicated to raising $5 million for the Oncology
Inpatient Unit in the new BC Children’s
Hospital. Proceeds from the 2012 Chinese-
Canadian Miracle Weekend will go to Operation
Superhero, and the event’s activities will
culminate on Saturday, June 2 with a telethon
on Fairchild Television from 9 pm to midnight,
and radiothons on Fairchild Radio AM1470 and
CHMB AM1320 from 9 am on. Contact Kitty
Cheung at [email protected] or 604-875-2513.
Register today for
t h e 2 7 t h a n n u a l
ChildRun presented by the Wilson Family. By
participating in the largest family fun run in
Vancouver, ChildRun participants raise funds
for childhood cancer research and care at BC
Children’s Hospital. On Sunday, June 3, runners
and walkers of all ages will follow a scenic five-
kilometre route through Queen Elizabeth Park or
the Thrifty Foods one-kilometre Fun Run route,
followed by a carnival celebration. Register for
this don’t-miss event at www.childrun.com.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: MIRACLE WEEKEND’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY I am privileged to be returning as chair of Miracle Weekend
this year, especially as we mark such a special anniversary
– 25 years of raising funds for BC’s kids.
The longstanding partnership between BC Children’s Hos-
pital Foundation and Global BC, my workplace, has created
a close, tight-knit family. Last spring, two of our reporters
experienced first-hand the incredible care at Children’s
Hospital when their newborn required urgent medical
help from the Critical Care team. That experience made our
connection even stronger and more meaningful, and I was
again reminded of why so many of us consider ourselves to
be members of the hospital family.
BC Children’s Hospital touches a vast number of people
and that is why your involvement is so important. Our chil-
dren – and all those who are part of our extended family
across the province – deserve to have access to the best
care possible.
If we think of Miracle Weekend as an engine, it’s fair to
say that this engine is about to kick into high gear – and
we’re going to need all the fuel we can get to reach our
destination. I know I can count on you, your families and
people across the province to help us reach our destination.
I look forward to celebrating Miracle Weekend’s 25th anni-
versary with you on June 2 and 3, 2012, on Global BC.
John Ridley, Global BC
Chair, 2012 BC Children’s Hospital Miracle Weekend
2012 BC Children’s Hospital Miracle Weekend
When I was 13, while on our first family vaca-
tion to Portugal, I started to feel terribly sick. I
couldn’t eat, I slept all day, and I felt weak, dizzy
and nauseous. After seeing several doctors, I
got a blood test, and then it all crashed downhill
from there.
I was rushed directly to a special hospital in
Lisbon where I saw children there with no hair,
and I thought I was going to die. They told me
I had a cancer called leukemia. My dad stayed
in contact with BC Children’s Hospital, and we
eventually arranged an air ambulance to take
me home to Vancouver.
I had never been so happy to be back home!
When I got to BC Children’s, they already knew
everything about me and my condition, and
they had a plan of action ready to start treating
my cancer. I started on a two-year-long night-
mare of chemotherapy. I missed my first year
of high school and had to give up dancing (my
passion), but treatment was working and my
cancer was in remission. But it was not to last.
Just weeks after my maintenance chemo
came to an end, I started having severe
migraines. The cancer had returned and taken
over my brain and spinal fluid. This time I would
need intense brain and full-body radiation
treatments. It was also my best chance to have
a stem cell transplant.
My parents and twin sister were tested for
donor suitability, but an anonymous donor was
eventually found. I went through the worst
chemo ever to prepare for the transplant. Then
came the day I received my bone marrow trans-
plant. I lived in an isolation room for over two
and a half months.
After many weeks it didn’t look like the
transplant was working. But then on my 16th
birthday, the results showed improvement and
I was finally allowed to step outside of my “cell”
into the fresh air outside! Now over a year later,
I am cancer-free! I struggle with a lot of the side
effects of four years of aggressive cancer treat-
ment, both physically and emotionally, but I am
still here thanks to the wonderful doctors and
nurses at BC Children’s Hospital.
I am so happy to know that a new and
improved hospital will be built for sick kids in
BC. It makes a huge difference to a child of any
age when there is space to have a parent or
family member beside you night and day. I am
also very happy and honoured to be represent-
ing our hospital as the BC Children’s Champion
Child for 2012. I hope to help raise funds and
awareness in this role, and I am proud to do so.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Lourenco
Note: This past January, Lindsey’s cancer returned. Lindsey and her family, along with her care team at BC Children’s Hospital, are once again in the fight against leukemia.
spring 2012 speaking of children 15
MIRACLE WEEKEND EXECUTIVEChairJohn Ridley, Global BC
Vice-ChairRaymond Li, International Banking, RBC
Physician ChairDr. Erik Skarsgard, BC Children’s Hospital
MIRACLE WEEKEND FUNDRAISING CABINETBanksAlexander Fan, CIBC, Chair
ChildRunKendra Penrose, ActiveState Software Inc. & Jennifer Black, Charles Dickens School, Co-Chairs; Roshanac Heed, Vice-Chair
Chinese-Canadian Miracle WeekendRebecca Chan, Modern Beauty Centre, Chair; Venita Kwan & Stella Chan, Co-Vice-Chairs
Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services Susan Byrom, Envision Financial, Chair
Hospital LiaisonTerry Ho, BC Children’s Hospital, Chair; Debbie Cain, BC Children’s Hospital, Vice-Chair
Hospitality & RestaurantsDawn Li, Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, Chair; Nicholas Gandossi, Opus Hotel, Vice-Chair
Jeans Day™Ilda Brazinha, BMO, Chair; Cynthia Curll, BC Hydro, Vice-Chair
MiningColin Joudrie, Teck Resources Limited & Jason Weber, Kiska Metals Corp, Co-Chairs
Real Estate & DevelopmentGeorge Crowhurst, BC Hydro, Chair
Retail & WholesaleCalvin Johnson, Costless Express, Chair; Bruce Shepherd, Pacific Newspaper Group, Vice-Chair
Slo-PitchCam Rathwell, HSBC, Chair; Aaron Stewardson, Maynards, Vice-Chair
South Asian CommunityTBC
MIRACLE WEEKEND OPERATIONS CABINETCateringDavid Rooney & Nia Vekris, Co-Chairs
Donations ManagementCarolyn Davies, Chair
Guest ServicesChristina Papadimitriou, Chair
LogisticsNicole Victor, Chair
Play AreaBrina Soni, Chair
PresentationsDonna Blaker, Chair
RegistrationJohn Chandler, Chair
Telephones ManagementCarol Miller & Helen Roelofsen, Co-Chairs
TELUS PhonesLisa Stirling, Chair
COMMUNITY FOR KIDSPort Alberni, Barbara-Anne Kalugin & Steve Kalugin, Co-Chairs
Prince George, John Abbott & Rick Mintz, Co-Chairs
Upper Fraser Valley, Casey Hillton, Chair
Vanderhoof, Corleen McNolty & Michelle Roberge, Co-Chairs
THE MIRACLE WEEKEND SUPERHERO TEAM
on Global BC
Choking is one of the most common reasons
for emergency visits to BC Children’s Hospital.
Choking can occur at any age, but children under
two years of age are at greatest risk. Many foods
and objects that fit in a child’s hand can cause
choking or internal burns.
The most common offenders are coins,
nuts and raw carrots, and the most danger-
ous choking episodes often occur with grapes
and disc batteries. Choking can have serious
consequences, including death or permanent
disability.
HOW CAN I PREVENT CHOKING?Here are a few pointers to remember:
• Keep a careful eye on young children during
meals and snacks, and ensure they are seated
while eating.
• Introduce new food textures slowly and care-
fully.
• Check for small items of any type that a child
may choke on.
• Choose toys that are labelled as appropriate
for the age of your child.
• Teach older siblings not to give small items or
toys to younger children.
• Learn how to give first aid to a choking child.
16 speaking of children spring 2012
healthy habits
Beware: Choking HazardChoking can happen quickly and can have devastating consequences within minutes. Keep a few safety precautions in mind and reduce your child’s risk of choking.
FOOD CATEGORY
Crisp, crunchy foodsThese include peanuts and other nuts, raw
carrots and celery, popcorn kernels,
sunflower seeds, fruits with pits, dried peas
and beans. Inhalation of these foods can
cause severe coughing and obstruction of
the bronchi (airway to the lungs), causing
wheezing and possibly pneumonia.
Round and rubbery foodsThese include hot dogs, whole grapes and
gel candies (such as “Fruit Poppers”). They
can become stuck between the vocal cords
and completely block breathing.
Gum and hard candiesThese can be inhaled and get stuck between
the vocal cords.
Fish bones (and other small bones)Small and fine bones can become stuck
higher in the throat and cause severe pain.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Don’t introduce these foods to children until they are at least four years old and can chew and swallow crusty bread, and raw apple and pear without coughing. Never give unpopped popcorn kernels to a toddler.
Cut hot dogs and grapes lengthwise and into small pieces until children are at least four years old, and can chew and swallow steak without coughing. Avoid gel candies, which are banned but still available in certain stores in Canada.
Don’t give children gum or hard candies until they are at least five years of age and can understand the danger.
Carefully pick out bones before serving fish and poultry.
Many choking incidents happen when children
are eating and running about at the same time.
Teach children to sit quietly during snacks and
meals, and to chew food thoroughly before
swallowing.
In addition, following are a few food
categories to watch out for, and some com-
mon non-food items that also pose a choking
hazard, and steps you can take to minimize
risk:
HOW CAN I KEEP MY CHILD SAFE AT MEAL TIMES?
spring 2012 speaking of children 17
1. Fill in the blank: If a person has choked and still ____, that person should get checked out by a health professional right away. a) Coughs b) Droolsc) Has noisy breathingd) Has trouble breathinge) Any of the above
2. The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that helps prevent food from “going down the wrong pipe.”a) True b) False
3. A lack of oxygen can cause brain damage within:a) One to two minutesb) Four to six minutesc) 10 to 20 minutes
Answer key: 1 e; 2 a; 3 b
Test your choking
knowledge
ITEM
Small hard objectsExamples of these include plastic toy parts,
metal hardware and fishing tackle. They can
cause coughing fits and end up in the bronchi.
CoinsThese are the most common foreign objects
swallowed or inhaled. Coins can become
stuck in the esophagus and can cause pain,
and often drooling and retching.
Disc batteriesLike coins, disc batteries are tempting to
young children. However, they are much
more dangerous because they can cause
severe internal burns and even death.
BalloonsDeflated balloons can become stuck between
the vocal cords and completely stop a child’s
breathing.
Dishwasher powder and caustic liquidsMost household cleaners and hair straighteners
or relaxers can cause severe burns of the
swallowing and breathing passages. Not all are
marked with warning labels.
ToysMany toys contain magnets; if swallowed,
they can cause serious damage.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Teach children not to put non-food objects in their mouths and not to hold them between their lips or teeth (unless they are proven safe items like teethers).
Never store coins in open bowls or containers that are within reach of toddlers. Sweep and check the floor every day to ensure coins haven’t fallen out of pockets etc.
Keep toys and electronics with removable disc batteries away from young children. Store unused or discarded batteries where children cannot find them.
Keep deflated and broken balloons away from young children.
Keep all caustic substances out of reach of children.
Always adhere to the age guidelines on toys. Check for small magnets and keep them out of reach of young children.
Information for this article was provided by Safe Start and Dr. Neil Chadha, an otolaryngologist at BC Children’s Hospital.
A good rule of thumb is to remember that if an
item fits in a young child’s palm, it is likely a
choking hazard. If you suspect that a child has
choked on an object, explain that to medical per-
sonnel as soon as possible and bring an example
of the foreign body if possible. A Heimlich
manoeuvre is necessary only if someone is
unable to speak clearly and is turning blue.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/er/choking.html
http://www.nhs.uk/planners/birthtofive/pages/howtohelpchoking.aspx
For more information visit:
BEHIND THE STETHOSCOPEYou would not see me with a stethoscope unless I was play-
ing with a child who was using one in a medical play kit!
I work in a fairly young profession called therapeutic recrea-
tion. Working at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, I use
recreation activities to help children reach their goals wheth-
er they are rehabilitative- or quality-of-life-oriented. I also
provide leadership support to a wonderful team that includes
recreation therapists, a music therapist, recreation/aquatic
therapists, early childhood educators, a department secre-
tary and recreation workers.
MEDICAL TRAININGI have a BA in Recreation Administration with a specialty in
Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Alberta. I am
currently involved in the BC Therapeutic Recreation Asso-
ciation as the director of Education and sit on the advisory
board for the Applied Degree Program in Therapeutic Recrea-
tion at Douglas College.
FAMILY / PERSONAL PICTUREMy husband also works at Sunny Hill, providing childminding
services. I have many nieces and nephews as well as many
godchildren. One of my nephews is on the autism spectrum
and he has taught me a lot about living with that diagnosis.
WHAT YOU’D NEVER KNOW ABOUT MEHmmm…that’s a tough one as I’m quite an open book. I guess
one thing would be that I played classical piano and was also
involved in competitive swimming growing up.
HOBBIESI like hiking, camping, snowshoeing, exploring back roads and
kayaking. I also enjoy reading, crossword puzzles, scrapbook-
ing, watching figure skating, musical theatre and various
fitness-related activities. I have been involved in Zumba
classes recently, which are lots of fun!
SECRET FANTASYI would love to be able to provide funding to help children with
disabilities access recreation opportunities in their commun-
ities. I have been fortunate enough to see what an amazing
difference it makes when a family is given assistance in areas
such as registration fees, adapted recreation equipment and
wheelchair-accessible transportation for their child, and it
would be very rewarding to help make this possible. I also
have a special friendship with a young man with cerebral
palsy who was a former patient and it would be wonderful to
help him fulfill his dreams of living a more active life.
IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORKWhen I retire, I plan to be involved in more physical activity,
and enjoy more time with my family and friends. I’d consider
getting a dog and probably get involved as a volunteer with
something completely different than what I’ve done in the
past. More time to travel and read would be a bonus too!
PHILOSOPHYI try to be a positive role model and live my life with com-
passion every day. I believe that being involved in recreation
activities of one’s choice is vital for one’s overall health.
WHAT I’M READING NOWI enjoy reading at least part of the newspaper daily and I’m
just finishing Younger Next Year for Women by Chris Crowley
and Henry S. Lodge, MD.
18 speaking of children spring 2012
Sheila Kennedy
what’s up, doc?
spring 2012 speaking of children 19
Do you have a story about BC Children’s
Hospital to tell? Please submit your Miracle
Kid stories to [email protected].
children speak
Seven-year-old Lily O’Dea raised $150 for BC Children’s
Hospital by asking her friends to make a donation in lieu
of birthday gifts. She shares her reasons for supporting
the hospital in her letter below.
Dear Children’s Hospital . . .
PM 40659514
YEARS OF MIRACLESFOR BC’SKIDS
Saturday, June 2AND
Sunday, June 3, 2012
www.miracleweekend.com