Archive

Canon loves Halloween, playing hockey and paddling. At age 12, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) months after completing treatment for kidney cancer. After eight months of treatment and care at the IWK, Canon is back to doing things that make him smile.

Claire is a sassy girl and social butterfly. She has cerebral palsy and though she is nonverbal and immobile, innovative technology called Brain Computer Interface at the Alberta Children’s Hospital allows her to use her mind to do things like play games, turn on toys and make milkshakes!

John is a star on the soccer field and hockey rink. Thanks to ongoing care at the Janeway, cystic fibrosis does not slow him down. In addition to regular training, John has daily physiotherapy and visits the Janeway every three months for checkups so he can continue to be the super-star athlete he is.

Rylie is a kind-hearted, energetic kid. Born prematurely and with a hole in her heart, Rylie received care in the Stollery Children’s Hospital’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for three months. At six months old, she returned to the hospital for open-heart surgery. Today, Rylie is thriving and loves to make people laugh.

Mori is an outgoing kid who loves to act and sing. As a toddler she experienced puzzling infections that led to a Vesicoureteral Reflux diagnosis. Breakthrough infections still occur, but Mori navigates her chronic condition with unwavering courage, and support from her local children's hospital.

Cohen and his little brother Nash love playing sports and wrestling. Both were born with congenital heart defects and as newborns fought hard to survive through multiple surgeries. Despite life-long heart journeys, Cohen and Nash love to smile and charm their way into the hearts of those they meet.

Justine is a resilient girl with an ambitious spirit. Born prematurely, Justine was hospitalized and received treatment for underdeveloped lungs, high blood pressure, and heart failure. After many surgeries as a toddler, Justine is now developing well and has regular follow-ups with her specialists.

Cole developed a rare blood disorder at age four that caused his blood to clot and his kidneys to fail. Life-saving amputations of his left arm and leg, followed by a kidney transplant, changed Cole's life. Now 17, Cole is thriving and competed in wheelchair basketball at the 2023 Canada Games.

Kherington is positive and ambitious despite having numerous diagnoses and a rare and unknown autoimmune disease. She has received thousands of needles and had multiple surgeries, but her specialists make it less scary and help her thrive. Kherington has competed in Irish Dance Championships around the world and loves taekwondo.

Janessa loves the outdoors. At age five, she experienced recurrent urinary tract infections and kidney failure, prompting her parents to leave their Pukatawagan home to find specialized care at HSC Children’s Hospital in Manitoba. After a successful kidney transplant, Janessa is doing well and back at school.