SickKids Foundation

We’re healing the future for kids like Maya, Qais, Everett, Chase, Seth, and Chitra. Join us. Visit healthefuture.ca #SickKidsVS #SKHealTheFuture #PrecisionChildHealth

SickKids marked National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events dedicated to learning, reflection, and healing. From a smudge ceremony and film screening to patient crafts and learning circles, today was a day to honour survivors, remember those who never returned home, and commit to a future rooted in truth and reconciliation. SickKids is dedicated to taking meaningful action, supporting Indigenous voices, and creating a more inclusive and understanding environment for everyone. Together, we continue the journey toward healing and reconciliation. #NDTR #OrangeShirtDay #TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters

At just 10-months-old, Everett was diagnosed with spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, Kozlowski type – a rare bone disease. Although he will be a SickKids patient until he reaches the age of 18, Everett’s mom, Karen Chow, says he’s a “constant source of positivity.” ✨ Earlier this month, he brought that positivity to the 2024 Shenzhen Charity Night stage, where he opened up about his medical journey and shared how much he loves and appreciates his doctors, nurses and therapists. We’re incredibly grateful to the Canada Confederation of Shenzhen Associations (CCSA), who, to date, have raised over $50K to support the highest priority needs of The Hospital for Sick Children. 💙

Domenico has had one heck of a year. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in January, he shared, “cancer is not the end. It is a journey and a fight. And I’m going to keep fighting. No matter what.” And did he ever. After months of chemotherapy at SickKids, Domenico underwent a below knee amputation to remove a cancerous tumour just above his ankle. He recovered well from surgery, finished up his chemotherapy and then learned how to walk again, this time with a little help from his prosthesis and our friends at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Thanks to The Hospital for Sick Children, he’s back at school and getting to experience a different kind of journey…Grade 12. #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #BacktoSchool #BTS #SickKidsVS 

This week, our dedicated Workplace Champions gathered at The Hospital for Sick Children to see the impact of their generous support. Champions from across all industries had the chance to network, tour SickKids’ state-of-the-art Simulation Centre, and hear the powerful firsthand experiences of our Patient Ambassador Tiya, and the Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lennox Huang. We want to extend our sincere thanks to all our Champions for joining us. By volunteering your time and inspiring your colleagues to support SickKids, you are truly helping us heal the future. If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a Champion for SickKids in your own workplace, please visit: https://bit.ly/4gIjxRk

We are excited to announce two new agency partners, following a rigorous review process: FCB Canada is our new creative agency of record and Cairns Oneil is our media agency of record!   We set out to find the “best of the best” – agencies with world-class strategic, media and creative capabilities that also demonstrated a deep commitment and passion to our cause. Partners that would help us embark on the next chapter of the ‘SickKids VS’ journey and all the big ambitions that come with our aspirations to ‘Heal the Future.’ These agency teams demonstrated the perfect combination of disruptive, brand-building prowess while also showcasing their reputation for developing breakthrough, results-driving and award-winning creative campaigns that are at the forefront of the evolving media landscape.     We would like to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to the teams at Cossette and OMD Canada who both worked tirelessly for nearly a decade, not only in the amazing feat of bringing SickKids VS to market but also in creating a brand platform that has been celebrated internationally and that will extend into our next chapter.   We are confident that, together with FCB, Cairns Oneil and Citizen Relations, our PR and influencer agency of record, we’ll deliver incredible results that meet our hospital’s ambitions to change the future of children’s health on a global scale.    Please join us in extending a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to our dedicated agency partners!

Malcolm’s SickKids journey began before he was even born. When Malcolm’s mom, Jennifer, was 20-weeks pregnant, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome and sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that effects hemoglobin and causes red blood cells to have an abnormal crescent “sickle” shape. This can block veins and arteries, preventing the effective delivery of oxygen. Jennifer shared that his diagnosis initially left his family “heartbroken, sad and afraid” as they anticipated the many challenges to come. Before his first birthday, Malcolm experienced his first sickle cell crisis, and by age three, he had his spleen removed to avoid further issues. Today, Malcolm visits his SickKids sickle cell disease team every six months, but that hasn’t stopped him from dancing, playing basketball, FaceTiming his siblings during his Hospital stays, and of course, watching anything “Spiderman”. ✨ Malcolm also can’t wait to celebrate Halloween and trick-or-treat around his neighborhood! He’s even started decking out the house with some super spooky decorations. 🎃👻 This #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, Malcolm and his family want to express their heartfelt gratitude to his amazing medical team at The Hospital for Sick Children. Their support has made a world of difference. 💙

This past spring, an outdated space that had gone unused over the pandemic at the Garry Hurvitz SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health was given a refresh, thanks to our friends at Rogers Communications and Breakfast Television, who made the renovation possible! The new multi-functional space, designed by Victoria Tonelli, features areas to create and decompress, art created by youth in the day treatment program, and a wall mural by a commissioned artist highlighting the many ways these youth choose to practice self-care. The art and social space will be used by youth in the day treatment program as well as for group therapy sessions, providing a welcoming and calming environment for all those who enter its doors. Today, on the third anniversary of the transformational $50 million gift from Garry Hurvitz, we are proud to continue to action The Hospital for Sick Children's mental health strategy to deliver the best quality of care.

SickKids is proud to, once again, be named one of the world's best children's hospitals! For the fourth year in row, SickKids is among the top organizations on a Newsweek ranking of hospitals that offer specialized care – a list that's based on a global survey of doctors, health-care professionals and administrators. 👏Congratulations to all staff at SickKids – involved in care, research and learning – we couldn't be among the world's best without you! Read more ➡ https://bit.ly/3TytlmR

Drama class ✅ Bloodwork ✅ Catch frogs ✅ Nine-year-old Sadie just started grade 4. Giggling with her classmates and playing outside at recess are all in a day’s work.   Sadie also has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was first diagnosed at age four, undergoing over two years of treatment before her cancer went into remission. Unfortunately, a relapse last year means Sadie is currently in active treatment once again. But an innovative treatment at SickKids is helping change the game for kids like her.  SickKids patients, parents and clinicians collaborated to inform the design for the Blina Backpack. It delivers an at-home, 28-day continuous IV infusion of blinatumomab, a type of immunotherapy that harnesses the immune system to find and fight leukemia. Studies show that the drug has high response rates, including complete remission in patients with hard-to-treat leukemia. It also means fewer of the side effects experienced with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.   And for kids like Sadie, it means less time spent in the Hospital, and more time spent just being a kid.  This month, join us as we continue to share how The Hospital for Sick Children is helping children with cancer be kids again.   To learn more about the Blina Backpack: https://bit.ly/4esnc3M #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #BacktoSchool #BTS #SickKidsVS