Speaking of children - summer 2013 by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

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summer 2013

DIET AND THE BRAIN TARGETING CANCER 2013 MIRACLE WEEKEND HEALTHY HEARTS

Understanding rare diseases: When knowledge means hope

superhero news

A family’s legacy to families who were less fortunate. Her generosity and selfless spirit touched him deeply, and inspired him to strive for success and give back to the community. Since 2004 Jason and his wife Emily have been Children’s Circle of Care members, contributing $10,000 to BC Children’s Hospital annually. The company they founded together, Viva Pharmaceutical Inc., has also been a strong supporter of the For Children We Care gala, a black-tie gala supported by the Chinese-Canadian community.

The Ko family with former vice-president and chief philanthropy officer, Linda Muller (left).

A mother’s teachings often have a strong impact on her children. This is certainly true of Jason Ko and his family, who have supported BC Children’s Hospital for the past 12 years. Although Jason grew up in a modest household his mother always thought of others and would have Jason deliver gifts

In February, when the Ko family made a $1-million pledge to the Campaign for BC Children, they became members of the Royal Circle, joining other Circle of Care members whose cumulative giving has reached over $1 million. Jason feels blessed to have a great family and five healthy grandchildren. He hopes his example will instill the giving spirit in future generations of his family and to encourage others – including his employees and his peers – to contribute to the best of their abilities and help better our society. Thanks to the support of donors like the Ko family the Campaign for BC Children has raised over $173 million of its $200-million campaign goal to date.

CIBC completes $1-million pledge to the campaign CIBC celebrated the completion of its $1-million pledge in December 2012, making CIBC the first bank to fulfil its pledge to the Campaign for BC Children. CIBC and its employees proudly come together to support the things that matter – Kids, Cures and Community. Over 3,000 employees in over 160 CIBC branches in BC and the Northern Territories spearhead fundraising initiatives every year to support the growing needs of kids at BC Children’s Hospital. So far their efforts have resulted in over $7.6 million raised for the hospital. The contributions of CIBC and its employees will have a profound impact on the lives of British Columbian children and families for generations to come. CIBC employees and their families at the 2013 Miracle Weekend.

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inside speaking of children

summer 2013

features

www.bcchf.ca

6 Diet makes a difference

MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Forgacs

An innovative diet eases metabolic epilepsy.

EDITOR Winnie Tam CONTRIBUTORS Lesley Ellis, Kerry Gold, Rebecca Keillor, Joanna Newman, Claire Sowerbutt, Winnie Tam

8 Special delivery Doctors team up to treat a teen with a rare form of cancer.

PHOTOGRAPHY C&W Media Services, Irvin Cheung, Andrew Chin, Tina Chin, Angie Darrell, Evelyn Ford, Melissa Gidney, James LaBounty, Jeff Weddell Photography, Mona Mok, Raymond Ng, Sandy Ng, Sabrina Oxford, Rod Preston, Mike Remek, Mark Seaton, Xelha Tapia, Tom Venables, John Whitworth, Keith Wong ART DIRECTOR Gabriele Chaykowski

10 Superhero scars A specialist solves a mystery.

12 Rarest of the rare

PROJECT MANAGER Casey Crawford

When just knowing what’s wrong is a comfort.

20 2013 Miracle Weekend

PRODUCED BY

A record-breaking $18,353,580 raised for BC’s kids!

For more information about the editorial content of Speaking of Children or to make a donation to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, please contact 604-875-2444, toll-free at 1-888-663-3033 or soceditor@bcchf.ca

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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

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BC Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and the Child & Family Research Institute.

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superhero news well said caring for the future speaking of people what’s on healthy habits what’s up, doc? children speak

Read the Activity Report, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2012-13 annual report, online now at www.bcchf.ca/annual-reports

summer 2013 speaking of children

well said

Rare diseases, rare talents Caregivers at BC Children’s Hospital treat tens of thousands of children with various forms of childhood disease every year. Fortunately childhood disease, generally speaking, including such conditions as heart disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis, is relatively rare. Even so, medical professionals see enough children with many of these conditions that, over time, they have been able to develop considerable expertise in diagnosis and treatment. Often, the greatest challenge lies in treating children whose conditions are so rare that they may have been identified in only a handful of children globally. Diagnosing and establishing treatment for these rare or orphan diseases requires the range of expertise and research capability that exists only in a children’s hospital, and in BC that means only at BC Children’s Hospital.

BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Board of Directors 2013 as of June 26, 2013

Mr. Kevin Bent, Chair Mr. David Doig Mr. Larry Gold Mr. Doug Gordon Mrs. Lisa Hudson Mrs. Tammi Kerzner Mr. Donald Lindsay Mr. Graham MacLachlan

Our renowned Child & Family Research Institute, located on the hospital site and home to over 200 child health researchers, plays a major role in helping us identify rare diseases, understand the causes and establish effective treatments. This research excellence coupled with our top-notch clinical care programs create a powerful resource, providing parents with answers and hope while also opening the door to targeted treatments and better management of their children’s symptoms. Your support for BC Children’s Hospital ensures our specialists have access to the specialized tools and technology they need to do their best work and that, no matter how rare or common a child’s medical condition, families can rest assured that they will receive the best of care and the support they need. Thank you for your support. Sincerely,

Mr. Bjorn Moller Mr. Geoff Parkin Mr. David Podmore Dr. Erik Skarsgard Ms. Sandy So Ms. Andrea Southcott Mrs. Diane Zell

Foundation Executive Teri Nicholas, MSW, RSW President & CEO

Knut Nordlie, CFRE Larry Gold President BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children

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Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer

Debora Sweeney, CFRE Vice-President & Chief Strategy Officer

Every year more than 81,000 children and their families come through the doors of BC Children’s Hospital. Some have broken bones and heart disease; others come for routine care for chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis and allergies. Then there are children whose conditions are rare – conditions we don’t hear about every day, like systemic capillary leak syndrome and chromosome 17p13.1 micro duplication.

Seeking answers Regardless of how rare or common a child’s illness is, BC Children’s Hospital is the place where families come for treatment and answers. Our caregivers are dedicated to giving children and families the care and support they need – whether it is a diagnosis, specialized medications, innovative treatments that aren’t available anywhere else or, simply, an understanding ear and connections to families with similar experiences. In this issue of Speaking of Children, you will read about a mother who, after 10 years of uncertainty, finally has a diagnosis for her daughter. You will also meet patients and families who get the help they need, including innovative treatments, thanks to the expertise and skill of BC Children’s caregiving teams. Collectively, rare diseases affect a large number of children. Here are four of their stories.

summer 2013 speaking of children

feature story

Turning the tide in treating metabolic epilepsy A special diet developed by a team at BC Children’s is helping seven-year-old Mason Sebelius overcome symptoms of his metabolic epilepsy. by CLAIRE SOWERBUTT When Mason Sebelius came to BC Children’s Hospital at the age of three, he was suffering from uncontrolled seizures and developmental delays with autism. He has a rare disease known as pyridoxine dependent epilepsy (PDE), and although he was on the standard treatment – vitamin B6 and folinic acid – it wasn’t working. So the team of physicians at BC Children’s Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavor in British Columbia (TIDE-BC) program put Mason on a brand new medical therapy – a special diet they had developed in collaboration with German neurologists. The strategy proved to be a win-win because three years later, Mason remains seizure-free and he has, without knowing it, paved the way for other children suffering from the same disease. Mason’s special diet is enabling him to enjoy life more fully.

PDE is known as an “inborn error of metabolism,” or metabolic epilepsy. It is caused by a block in the breakdown of lysine, a specific building block of proteins. The new therapy – a lysine-restricted diet – works to reduce toxins in the brain caused by this buildup. Mason was one of the first patients in the world with PDE to be successfully treated with this diet, in conjunction with vitamin B6. Connie, Mason’s mother, remembers how the treatment changed their lives. “When Mason started on the diet there was a dramatic improvement,” she says. “At five years old he 6 speaking of children summer 2013

walked like a toddler. Within a week of beginning the diet he was walking normally. And he was potty-trained. I thought, ‘Who is this kid?!’” The special dietary therapy is a breakthrough in the treatment of PDE. But it does require monitoring by a specialized team of physicians and dietitians, and includes regular blood and urine testing. Equally importantly, administering the diet requires dedication on the part of the parents and caregivers.

Though Connie is a young mother with a lot on her plate, she is dedicated to and enthusiastic about the treatment. “The diet is not easy, a total lifestyle change, but I would never go back. I know that if we don’t stick to the diet, Mason will revert back,” she says. “He did refuse the diet once, and his seizures and autistic behaviour relapsed immediately.” Mason is fortunate that his disease was diagnosed while he was still quite young. “Early recognition allows for timely treatment, which prevents or minimizes brain damage,” says Dr. Sylvia Stockler, who established TIDE-BC along with Dr. Clara van Karnebeek. To help optimize the treatment of more children like Mason, the TIDE team has established an international PDE consortium and written treatment guidelines. “We must take a global, collaborative approach with these rare diseases and generate evidence for safety and effect, if we are to serve our patients better,” says Dr. van Karnebeek. Improving the lives of children with rare metabolic diseases is, in fact, TIDE’s mandate. To that end, they have developed a protocol, supported by an app, to diagnose 81 treatable inborn errors of metabolism, like Mason’s. “Each of the 81 genetic conditions is very rare,” Dr. van Karnebeek says. “As a group, our pilot study at BC Children’s Hospital has shown that these actually are causal of the cognitive and neurologic impairment in a few per cent of all kids presenting with developmental delay or intellectual disability.” This translates into several million children worldwide, so the impact of successfully identifying and treating these conditions is far-reaching. Discovering new rare diseases is also part of TIDE’s mission. Using innovative technologies, the TIDE team is looking for – and finding – novel gene defects that cause intellectual disabilities, just like Mason’s. “Better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to disease allows us to develop new treatments, allowing children to reach their full potential,” says Dr. Stockler. “Much remains to be discovered and understood about rare disease; with our new discovery program, Omics2treatID, we are ready for this exciting work,” adds Dr. van Karnebeek. While Mason’s journey hasn’t been easy, his mother’s dedication, together with the support and groundbreaking treatment provided by the biochemical diseases and neurology teams at BC Children’s Hospital, has paid off. Mason is now seven and has almost finished Grade 1. He enjoys school and playing with his friends.

Mason and his mother Connie.

Connie is grateful for all the changes in her son. “Before he was successfully diagnosed and treated, Mason was withdrawn and could hardly communicate. Now he’s a social butterfly!” For more information on TIDE-BC visit www.tidebc.org

To donate to BC Children’s Hospital, scan the QR code or visit www.bcchf.ca/socdonate summer 2013 speaking of children

feature story

Unconventional therapy A Fernie teenager with a rare type of cancer undergoes an equally rare treatment, thanks to the innovation and skill of BC Children’s doctors. by REBECCA KEILLOR

Brooke Malakoff is responding well to her one-of-a-kind cancer treatment.

Graduating from high school and starting university this fall is not something 18-year-old Brooke Malakoff takes for granted. The teenager was diagnosed with an incredibly rare tumour, known as a congenital infantile fibrosarcoma, when it burst on Christmas Day in 2011; it was three-quarters the size of her left lung. Brooke underwent life-saving surgery during which her lung was removed and, as her type of tumour is normally only seen in infants, she was referred to BC Children’s Hospital. “It’s rare in childhood, but it’s particularly rare in older children,” says Dr. Caron Strahlendorf, Brooke’s oncologist in the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant at BC Children’s. When searching for literature on teenagers with these tumours she found none. “It usually only occurs in infants. They can be born with it and [we see it] in the first year to two years of life, but it’s very uncommon in teenagers.” Even within the infant population Children’s sees only one or two cases of these tumours per year, which account for between five and 10 per cent of all soft tissue sarcomas (cancers), so Brooke’s diagnosis was questioned multiple times.

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“There was a very specific translocation that we found that we see in infantile fibrosarcomas called an ETV6-NTRK3,” says Dr. Strahlendorf. “And that translocation is very specific so we knew we had the right diagnosis.” Brooke’s treatment has proved as unique as her condition due to her tumour being too widely spread to remove or radiate. To date, she has undergone close to 19 rounds of chemotherapy. Her disease is currently stable – the tumours are neither shrinking nor growing. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but the care that I’m receiving at Children’s is unbelievable,” Brooke says. “They do absolutely everything they can to make sure that we’re comfortable, that we’re okay and that we’re getting the proper treatment.” In an innovative attempt to give Brooke a better quality of life, Dr. Strahlendorf’s team found a way for the teenager to return home to Fernie, BC, and receive her ongoing chemotherapy through a hospital in nearby Cranbrook, under the direction of Children’s. “She can get on and do things,” says Dr. Strahlendorf. “We’re trying to give her chemotherapy that doesn’t impact her life.”

These efforts are not lost on Brooke. “It’s much more spiritually uplifting to be at home,” she says. “It’s nice to be closer to my friends and family. Just being able to sleep in your own bed makes all the difference in the world.” When she was required to be in Vancouver, for an initial six rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, she was happy to be able to stay at Ronald McDonald House. “We made a lot of friends there,” she says. “Because everybody just gets together in the kitchen and hangs out and you have each other’s shoulders to cry on. We all support each other.” In a further innovative approach to Brooke’s condition, Dr. Strahlendorf teamed up with Dr. Manraj Heran and his Interventional Radiology team, to attempt to shrink Brooke’s tumours through intralesional chemotherapy. Another first for Children’s, this minimally invasive procedure involves doses of chemotherapy being injected directly into her tumours. Initial results are positive. “It’s not something that’s often done for tumours outside of the liver,” says Dr. Heran. “And for children especially it’s not something that’s done in too many places. As a matter of fact I think that this is rarely done in any centre in Canada.” Far less invasive than having chemotherapy delivered to the whole body, this treatment is delivered through a series of small needles placed directly into the tumours using imaging guidance, and means Brooke can effectively leave the same day with nothing more than a number of Band-Aids. Although Brooke had never visited BC Children’s before she was diagnosed she was no stranger to it – she had been involved in fundraising for the hospital through her part-time job at Overwaitea Foods. Her stepfather, George Torresani, also actively fundraises for Children’s through an annual golf tournament he initiated while working for another Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) store in Nelson, BC. Though no longer organizing the event he continues to participate in it as a player. OFG is the lead benefactor to Child Health BC, a BC Children’s initiative aimed at improving access to pediatric care for BC’s families, with a pledge of $20 million. “I volunteer as much as I can and anywhere I can,” says Brooke. “Anything I can do to give back.” Of Dr. Strahlendorf and Dr. Heran she says: “They’ve done absolutely everything for me and I’m just so grateful that they are on my case and helping me, and making me get better.”

To watch a video about Brooke, scan the QR code or visit www.bcchf.ca/soc summer 2013 speaking of children

feature story

In good hands A family’s worries are eased by a doctor who recognizes symptoms of their son’s rare disease. by KERRY GOLD Because she’s an experienced pediatric immunologist, the rare, hard-to-diagnose cases often fall into the lap of Dr. Anne Junker. “I get asked to see children who suffer unusual complications of infections, and people think there must be something wrong with their immune system,” says Dr. Junker. When three-year-old Noah Plausteiner was admitted to BC Children’s in March 2011, Dr. Junker knew almost immediately what she was dealing with. Noah’s eyes were puffy and he was suffering from stomach aches and vomiting; all of the usual reasons that could cause these symptoms had been ruled out by other specialists. Dr. Junker realized he was showing signs of an extremely rare disorder called systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS). During SCLS attacks – which are life-threatening and can be rapidly precipitated by minor infections – fluid drains from the blood system into the surrounding tissues. As well, the blood itself, drained of fluid, becomes dangerously thick, impairing circulation. “We’ve had maybe a handful of children with this condition over the last 30 years at Children’s Hospital,” says Dr. Junker. “To give you an idea of how rare this condition is, a publication in 2011 reported on just 28 patients who were referred to a European multicentre SCLS registry over 13 years; only one was a child.” The basic reason for SCLS is unknown and there is no specific diagnostic test. “We have no specific therapy nor do we know the long-term outcome of this condition,” says Dr. Junker. “A rare disease on an individual level is very stressful for families who often endure a multitude of specialty consultations, tests and hospital admissions as people work to try to figure out what is going on.” Noah’s parents experienced the stress of watching their child suffer from what seemed a mystery illness for several months before finding Dr. Junker. 10 speaking of children summer 2013

Elaine and her husband Mark rushed Noah to their local hospital when his eyes and abdomen became swollen. Doctors thought it might be kidney failure, but after three days, he was back to normal. “Nobody had a clue what it was,” says Elaine. “All the blood work came back clean.” A couple of months later, his eyes swelled again, but this time Elaine and Mark took him to BC Children’s Hospital. Dr. Junker oversaw Noah’s eight-day stay there. “It was by exclusion of everything else that she assessed what it could possibly be, and she was right on the money,” says Elaine. “If it had been anyone else, I don’t think we would have that diagnosis so quickly.” But because Noah would recover quickly from his bouts of swelling, it wasn’t until almost a year later that they’d attempt some kind of treatment. In December 2011 he had another episode, but worse than the others. He was immediately admitted to hospital, where he swelled up, his hands and feet turned cold, and he went blue around the mouth, says Elaine.

“We ask him, ‘Do you remember not having those scars?’” says Elaine. “He says, ‘No, they are part of me.’” “My practice has been transformed over the years through access to information and people via the Internet,” says Dr. Junker. “Both Noah’s parents and I did what we could to get advice and see who was doing research on this disorder. I belong to a listserve that connects immunologists around the world. One can post a difficult case like Noah’s and get practical advice around diagnostic tests and treatment, as well as speculation as to the cause of problems.” Noah’s parents also found the support of an online community for patients with the disorder. That kind of networking, says Dr. Junker, is huge for children and families with rare disorders. “The reality for pediatrics is that we practise at a national, if not international level. There are no walls or borders for pediatrics.” Today Noah is doing well, thanks to BC Children’s Hospital and support from his loving family.

“I knew something was really wrong when they did blood work and he didn’t respond to that. He hates having his blood taken,” says Elaine. “Then he threw up blood. I lost it. I thought, ‘I’m losing this little guy.’” Noah was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he underwent fasciotomies, a procedure that involves incisions along the insides of the arms and the legs, to relieve the intense pressure of the fluid that was trapped between his skin and his muscles. Dr. Junker and Noah’s parents decided to try a treatment that was reported to work in other patients with SCLS. Noah was started on regular infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and, over the past year, has had fewer and less severe attacks. “We suspect the IVIG is preventing infections, which are a trigger for SCLS attacks,” says Dr. Junker. It’s been 14 months since that last episode, and Noah, who’s now six, is treated every four weeks. So far, so good, says his mom. He’s even okay with the large scars, which, Elaine tells him, are “superhero scars.”

To donate to BC Children’s Hospital, scan the QR code or visit www.bcchf.ca/socdonate summer 2013 speaking of children

feature story

One in more than a million Cayla Morris has a genetic condition that is rarest of the rare. The family’s long search for a diagnosis ended with help from a new technology, and a doctor’s perseverance. by WINNIE TAM

It’s hard for Jo-anne Morris to maintain her composure when she talks about Dr. Sylvie Langlois, a clinical geneticist at BC Children’s Hospital. After all Dr. Langlois is the person Jo-anne credits for ending her 10-year search for a diagnosis for her daughter, Cayla. Cayla has intellectual delays, problems with her growth, smaller hands and feet, and a severe nut allergy, among other medical problems. Despite undergoing a battery of tests at BC Children’s and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children since age two, Cayla’s condition remained a mystery to doctors. The absence of a diagnosis has taken a toll on Jo-anne. “I have shed so many tears at the hospital,” she says. “But the doctors never gave up on us.”

“The variation in Cayla’s chromosome was so minute that we weren’t able to pinpoint it.” Dr. Langlois also put Jo-anne in touch with the family who has a child with the same diagnosis in Italy. “Not only did [Dr. Langlois] share her patience, her understanding and her knowledge, she has made it possible for me to speak with the one other family that ‘gets’ what we go through,” Jo-anne says. With help from two special education assistants Cayla attends Grade 5, and she goes to speech therapy every week. She is loving, compassionate and, according to Jo-anne, “keeps everyone laughing all the time.” Jo-anne recently organized a bowling party for Cayla’s 12th birthday to raise funds for the hospital; so far, they have raised over $2,300.

In November 2012 a new technology called chromosomal microarray analysis finally enabled Dr. Langlois to detect that Cayla has a chromosome 17p13.1 micro duplication – a genetic disorder so rare that there is only one other documented case of it in the world.

While the diagnosis of Cayla’s particular genetic change does not have any bearing on her treatment, Jo-anne sees it as the key to putting their “puzzled lives together and complete the picture.”

Using a slide with millions of dots of DNA on it, chromosomal microarray analysis identifies very subtle changes in a patient’s DNA.

“There’s always that bit of loss when you don’t have a diagnosis. Now I’m getting my life back. It’s helped my family so much.”

“Before this technology was available we looked at chromosomes under a microscope and a good chunk of the chromosome needed to be different in order for us to detect it,” explains Dr. Langlois, who first saw Cayla in 2007. 12 speaking of children summer 2013

To watch a video about Cayla, scan the QR code or visit www.bcchf.ca/soc

caring for the future

A family safeguards their young children’s futures When a couple loses a child to cancer there are many ways they deal with their pain. Roger and Darla Steers decided to give back to the hospital where their child was cared for. Meredith Steers was diagnosed with leukemia when she was only 17 months old. “Life was only just getting started when it took this major detour. In a way, the hospital was her life as most of her non-infant years were spent there as a patient,” says Roger. “I can’t say enough about the care that Meredith received at BC Children’s Hospital. Despite every effort of the caregivers she passed away only one year after her diagnosis,” Darla says. Roger and Darla fundraise actively to help find a cure for childhood cancer. One of Roger’s projects is to encourage philanthropy in the development and real estate community. Another way they support the hospital is by including it in their will. “When we sat down and got around to what many parents struggle to get around to – creating our wills – we wanted to leave something that BC Children’s Hospital could benefit from,” Roger says. “Everyone should have a will, especially if you have minor children,” adds Darla. “Without a will, who will care for your children?” Ensuring that the brothers know about Meredith is also important. When the family visited the hospital in 2012, they made a point of visiting the unit where Meredith was cared for and where a picture of her still hangs on the bulletin board. Roger and Darla are proud knowing that their bequests honour their daughter’s life. Visit a lawyer or a notary experienced in estate planning to help you prepare a will that sets out who will be the guardian of your young children. Consider including charitable bequest(s) in your will: just a few sentences are all that is needed. When including a gift to BC Children’s Hospital in your will or any other document, remember to use our correct legal name: British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. For more information on charitable bequests or to order our Guide to Giving, please contact the Gift & Estate Planning Team at plannedgivinginfo@bcchf.ca or 604-875-2444.

summer 2013 speaking of children

speaking of people

1 REMEMBERING LINDSEY LOURENCO Lindsey Lourenco was BC Children’s Hospital’s 2012 Champion Child. Over the past few years she and her family have participated in countless local and national events to help spread awareness about childhood cancer and raise funds for the hospital. Sadly, Lindsey passed away in March 2013. The foundation extends its deepest condolences to Lindsey’s family and thanks them for their ongoing support of the hospital.

FOURTH ANNUAL BMO FINANCIAL GROUP’S KARAOKE NIGHT As part of their ongoing fundraising activities, a group of over 150 BMO employees performed at the fourth annual BMO Financial Group’s Karaoke Night on April 10. The sold-out event, attended by 250 guests, raised over $126,000 for the hospital.

TECK CELEBRITY PIE THROW Mining for Miracles, BC’s mining community’s longstanding fundraising campaign for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, raised over $1 million on May 2 at its signature event, the 2013 Teck Celebrity Pie Throw.

4 RADIOTHON SUCCESS The 11th annual Ocean 98.5 Radiothon for Kids, BC Children’s Hospital’s longest-running radiothon, raised $145,575 on May 9 and 10 at Hillside Centre in Victoria. Patient families and caregivers shared their stories, inspiring listeners to donate.

LOTTERY WINNERS Mr. and Mrs. Peterson of Kamloops shared BC Children’s Hospital Choices Lottery’s $2-million grand prize. Lottery proceeds of more than $2.4 million will support research into the prevention and treatment of, and cures for, childhood illnesses.

HELPING KIDS ACROSS CANADA Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), on behalf of local co-ops that make up the Co-operative Retailing System, announced on May 30 that it will donate $550,000 over five years to BC Children’s Hospital. The donation is part of a historic gift of $5 million over five years to the five children’s hospital foundations in Western Canada.

SHOWING HOW KIDS CAN HELP Started by 11-year-old Sean Thomas in 2009 Kids Can Help is a group of young volunteers who fundraise for BC Children’s Hospital

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6 through various community events, including a talent show, silent auction, and almond, bracelet and bake sales. With help from friends, family, local businesses and the Langley community Kids Can Help has raised $40,000 to help children at the hospital. The group pre sented an astonishing $20,085 at the 2013 Miracle Weekend. To get involved with Kids Can Help, email kidscanhelpkids@gmail.com

AMPCO GRAFIX BC Children’s Hospital Foundation relies on the support of community partners to help provide the best possible health care for BC’s kids. For the past 25 years Ampco Manufacturers Inc. has been a donor to the hospital and, since 2012, the company has also provided valuable in-kind printing services and discounts to help promote the foundation’s events and capital campaign on the hospital campus and in the community. The foundation is grateful for Ampco’s steadfast support, and thanks everyone at Ampco for their ongoing commitment.

what’s on

DAIRY QUEEN MIRACLE TREAT DAY Cool off with a Blizzard® Treat on August 8 in support of BC’s kids. At least $1 from every Blizzard® sold at participating locations on Miracle Treat Day will be donated to the hospital. In 2012, Miracle Treat Day raised $386,681.

TIM HORTONS SMILE COOKIES Mark your calendars! Tim Hortons’ annual Smile Cookie Campaign will take place September 16-22 at participating locations in the Lower Mainland. Smile Cookies raised over $193,000 in 2012 to purchase equipment for BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children.

world-famous volcanoes. No climbing experience is necessary to join these trips. For more information visit www.summitsofhope.com or email info@summitsofhope.com

STARS IN CARS On September 28, 100 cars will tour the Vancouver area to experience some of the best things our city and its surroundings have to offer, while raising money for BC Children’s Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavor in British Columbia (TIDE-BC) program. Each driver and guide duo will dress up as stars and drive their vehicle, whether old-timer or modern, from BC Children’s Hospital via a scenic and activity-filled route, ending on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver. Participants will also enjoy a gourmet- and music-filled evening at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. To sign up and to purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.ridethetide.ca

A NIGHT OF MIRACLES 7

SUMMITS OF HOPE Established in 1999 Summits of Hope leads “adventures-of-a-lifetime” trips to remote and unique locations around the world while raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital. In October, the group will be heading to Tanzania, Africa, to climb Kilimanjaro and, in November, they will be in Ecuador to climb its

The fifth annual A Night of Miracles gala takes place Saturday, October 19, at the Marriott Pinnacle Vancouver Downtown. This black-tie event will attract close to 400 guests in celebration of the South Asian community’s support for child health. Visit www.bcchf.ca/anom for more information.

Photos: 1 Lindsey Lourenco; 2 The BC Children’s Hospital lobby gets an updated look thanks to support from Ampco Grafix; 3 The Kids Can Help group; 4 Joshua Cunliffe, a BC Children’s Hospital patient, and his brother Jacob at the Ocean 98.5 Radiothon for Kids; 5 Choices Lottery winners Mr. and Mrs. Peterson; 6 BMO employees at the BMO Financial Group’s Karaoke Night; 7 Federated Co-operatives Limited presents a $550,000 cheque to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation; 8 Teck Celebrity Pie Throw raises over $1 million.

summer 2013 speaking of children

healthy habits

Take this to

heart

In the last 40 years, the rate of childhood obesity has grown from five per cent to almost 20 per cent. Many factors contribute to this epidemic; among them are insufficient physical activity, too much screen time and poor diet – all of which have implications for a child’s heart health.

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With childhood obesity on the rise, more and more children are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is a big concern because not only do obese children have immediate health risks, they also face potential adverse effects when they reach young adulthood. These include early onset of coronary disease and risk of early cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke, among others. Obese children have an increased risk of hypertension and insulin resistance, which also increase cardiovascular risk. The newly opened Cardiac Prevention Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital is dedicated to helping families with children at risk of cardiovascular disease develop healthy habits to help them manage and reduce those risk factors. An important element of the clinic’s work is the provision of ongoing monitoring and support for families – usually a child comes for checkups every six months. As diet and exercise are part of our everyday lives, continued support helps to ensure the habits that children and families develop are sustainable and maintained in the long term. The Cardiac Prevention Clinic receives referrals from family physicians, pediatricians, from the Shapedown program, and sees children who are already receiving care at BC Children’s. The age of patients ranges from five to 18 years old. When a patient comes to the clinic, a physician does a complete clinical assessment of the child as well as an ECG, echocardiogram and an exercise test – to make sure it is safe for the child to exercise and that he or she does not have any other heart conditions.

As part of the assessment, an exercise physiologist sits down with the child and family to find out more about the child’s interests and daily habits; based on these conversations, the physiologist then develops a tailored plan for the child, prescribing activities that the child is interested in to help increase activity levels and ensure he or she is developing the basic skills required to be active throughout life, such as throwing, jumping, catching and running. The hope is that this individualized approach will increase the chance of the plan’s success and implementation. The clinic also makes recommendations on how families can help to manage medical issues associated with their child’s risk factors. The recommended time for physical activity for a child is about 60 minutes per day.

Taking the time to sit down together for family meals is also important. Home-cooked meals are generally healthier than foods purchased outside of the home, which are usually calorie-dense and higher in sodium. Parents should also encourage their children to consume more fruits and vegetables.

Test your

heart

HOW DOES FAMILY PLAY A ROLE IN KEEPING CHILDREN HEALTHY?

Family dynamics play a big part in the health of a child, especially for younger children. As such, doctors encourage not only the child but the entire family to adopt an active lifestyle – organizing activities that the entire family can participate in together is a great way to start.

knowledge In recent years the availability of screen time has greatly contributed to the reduction of physical activity in children. In addition to television many children now also have easy access to computers and mobile devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets, which all add to the time they spend in front of a screen, rather than being active and outdoors. Parents are advised to consider limiting the amount of time that their child spends in front of a screen each day. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and habits as a family, you can help your children to become active and reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular and other diseases.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

1. Adult-type heart disease may begin in childhood. a) True b) False 2. Which of the following are risk factors for heart disease? a) Obesity b) High blood pressure c) Insulin resistance/diabetes d) A sedentary lifestyle e) All of the above 1. What can we do to reduce the risk of heart disease? a) Reduce screen time (TV/computer/tablet) b) Increase salt consumption c) Eat fewer vegetables d) Increase screen time (TV/computer/tablet)

www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/kids-enfants/obesity-obesite/risksrisques-eng.php Answers: 1a; 2e; 3a.

summer 2013 speaking of children

what’s up, doc?

Dr. Clara van Karnebeek stand processes at a genetic and cellular level is exciting as it provides insights and targets for treatment and prevention; the rare is often a model for the more common.

WHAT YOU’D NEVER KNOW ABOUT ME

BEHIND THE STETHOSCOPE I am a pediatrician and biochemical geneticist, and have the privilege of working both as a clinician in the Division of Biochemical Diseases and as a scientist for BC Children’s Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavor in British Columbia (TIDE-BC) project. Recently I joined the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics faculty, which lets me bridge research and care in the field of rare diseases.

I have a passion for tropical pediatrics, having worked for over a year in Malawi in a tertiary-care centre and in Tanzania with a flying medical service. This inspired us to establish a privately funded charity, Foundation TweegaMedica, which, over 10 years, has dispatched tropical medicine physicians to work with local staff in remote regions of Africa to provide basic care for mothers and children. I am convinced that with small-scale yet standardized changes in practice, morbidity can be prevented and many children around the world can be helped. This also motivated me to develop and implement the TIDE protocol, which shifts focus to early identification of treatable disorders in the diagnostic workup of intellectual disability.

HOBBIES Skiing, tennis, opera, classical music, travelling, and car rallies…one of the motivations in organizing the TIDE Car Tour in September as a fundraising event.

MEDICAL TRAINING The location of my training was a Dutch triad: medical school in Groningen (the north), my PhD in Amsterdam (the centre), pediatrics residency in Amsterdam and in The Hague (the west and on the coast). For further specialization I moved with my family to Vancouver for a fellowship in Biochemical Genetics at BC Children’s.

SECRET FANTASY Sail around the world with my family, spend more time in warm than cold places, enjoy new cultures and natural environments, with long stops in interesting places to work as a consultant.

IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORK FAMILY PICTURE Married with two sons.

WHY I BECAME A DOCTOR Endless curiosity and the continuous opportunity to learn, while applying gained knowledge to help people in need. Very early on in my studies I realized I wished to work in pediatrics, because of children’s honesty, their growth and development, and the interesting interactions between environment and genetics. Within pediatrics each subspecialty intrigues me; therefore metabolic diseases is a perfect fit as each organ can be involved. Trying to under18 speaking of children summer 2013

I would become a ski instructor and book my kids in class, aware of the fact that soon enough they would be teaching me. I would enjoy spending more time with family and friends…but am quite sure I would continue my current work and call it my “main hobby.”

PHILOSOPHY Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere! – A. Einstein

WHAT I’M READING NOW Interventions: A Life in War and Peace by Kofi Annan.

children speak

Dear Children’s Hospital . . . Nine-year-old Faris Abdulwahab, also known as Faris Freeze, is a resilient boy who’s used to overcoming challenges. In the following letter he encourages other children with physical challenges to pursue their dreams and not to give up.

I w as bo rn w it h a ge ne ti c bo ne di so rd er ca lle d os te og en es is im pe rf ec ta . M y bo ne s fr ac tu re ea si ly an d I ha ve a sl ig ht sp in al cu rv at ur e th at ca us es lim it at io n in m y bo dy m ov em en t. A t pr es en t th er e is no cu re fo r os te og en es is im pe rf ec ta . B ut m y fa m ily an d I ne ve r gi ve up on pu rs ui ng m ed ic al tr ea tm en t an d m y co nd it io n is ge tt in g be tt er . I w an t to liv e m y lif e to th e fu lle st by do in g w ha t I lik e to do an d co nt ri bu te m y ta le nt s to th e w or ld . S in ce yo un g, m y pa ss io n ha s al w ay s be en fo r en te rt ai nm en t. I lo ve si ng in g, ac ti ng an d en te rt ai ni ng pe op le . A nd I be lie ve th at ev en w it h m y di sa bi lit ie s, no th in g ca n st op m e fr om ac hi ev in g m y go al . I w an t to be an in sp ir at io n to ch ild re n w it h di sa bi lit ie s. Ju st be lie ve in yo ur se lf an d do n’ t yo u ev er gi ve up ! Do you have a story about BC Children’s Hospital to tell? Please submit your Miracle Kid stories to stories@bcchf.ca

L ot s of lo ve ,

F a ri s F re ez e

summer 2013 speaking of children

miracle weekend

2013 BC Children’s Hospital

MIRACLE WEEKEND MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Now that the confetti has settled and the 2013 Miracle Weekend has come to a close, I look back with pride on our past year of hard work and all that has been accomplished. I’m still in awe of the final total of $18.4 million that was revealed on June 2. If this number is indicative of anything it is that British Columbians truly value BC Children’s Hospital and what it provides to patients and their families. I’ve been told numerous times by the volunteers I have the honour of working with that my sense of humour and the stories I tell helped to keep them motivated. Hearing this made me think of the power of the stories we hear about our young patients, and the saying that humour is the best medicine. I imagine that laughter and humour have helped many patients and families to cope with their time at the hospital. I’m constantly inspired by the resilience of these children who, despite their circumstances, still find opportunities to laugh, play and be grateful for the little joys in life. And I believe that their stories of bravery and perseverance are what moved people to support the hospital throughout the year and to call in and donate during the Miracle Weekend broadcast, made possible by our media partner Global BC. There were certainly a lot of reasons to celebrate and laugh during the weekend. Many corporate and community groups shared with the province their motivation for supporting the hospital and the results of their year-long fundraising efforts. Each of their contributions makes a difference and, together, this support has a profound impact on the hospital’s ability to safeguard the health of our province’s sick and injured children. As we turn the page on 2013, I’m thrilled to say that I will be back in 2014 to lead the team again. This year has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to seeing what next year will bring. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Raymond Li, RBC Chair, 2013 BC Children’s Hospital Miracle Weekend

20 speaking of children summer 2013

1 JEANS DAY™

4 CHILDRUN presented by the Wilson Family

On April 25, hundreds of thousands of people across British Columbia and the Yukon participated in the 23rd annual Jeans Day™. By purchasing a $5 button or $20 lapel pin and wearing their denim, participants showed their support for BC’s kids. With support from two returning sponsors – School Sponsor Odlum Brown Limited and Hockey Card Sponsor Duso’s Fresh Pasta & Sauces – Jeans Day™ raised over $1.2 million to help meet the hospital’s urgent needs.

Celebrating 28 years of ChildRun, 5,487 runners, walkers and wheelers from across the Lower Mainland were on the move for pediatric oncology research and treatment areas at BC Children’s on June 2. Participants raised $1,046,609 and enjoyed a day of exercise, family entertainment and fresh fruits and veggies at this year’s event, located for its third year at West 33rd Avenue and Heather Street in Vancouver. ChildRun participants had the choice of a scenic five-kilometre route through Queen Elizabeth Park or the Thrifty Foods 1km Fun Run. For the fourth consecutive year, participants were able to stretch their dollars raised by taking part in Chip’s Challenge, for which Chip Wilson and his family made an additional $1,000 donation directly to the hospital for every participant who raised $1,000 or more.

2 23RD ANNUAL SLO-PITCH EVENT

Sixty-seven teams representing organizations dedicated to supporting BC’s kids raised an amazing $418,479 by going to bat for BC’s kids May 24-26 at Softball City. Thank you to the 80 participants who accepted the Ledcor Challenge and raised over $500 online. Off the field, kids of all ages had fun at the Aldergrove Financial Group KidZone. Save the dates for the next Slo-Pitch event, May 23-25, 2014, and secure your team’s spot by visiting www.bcchf.ca/slopitch 3 CHINESE-CANADIAN MIRACLE WEEKEND

The 25th annual Chinese-Canadian Miracle Weekend raised a record-breaking $1,150,398 for the Excellence in Child Health Fund, supporting the most urgent needs of children at the hospital. The organizing committee extends its deepest gratitude to all the sponsors, donors, community groups, media and volunteers who helped make the 2013 event such a phenomenal success.

5 MINING FOR MIRACLES

In 2013 BC’s mining community raised $1,638,153 through the Teck Celebrity Pie Throw, the Diamond Package Draw, Jeans Day™ and Slo-Pitch, as well as a variety of employee and corporate giving campaigns. Mining for Miracles thanks its supporters for their generosity, in particular the employees, friends and families of hundreds of mining, exploration and development companies, service providers and suppliers across BC, Alberta, the Yukon and Northwest Territories who know first-hand the positive difference that Mining for Miracles makes in the health of BC’s kids. 6 BC’S RETAIL AND WHOLESALE INDUSTRY

This year, the Retail & Wholesale Division raised over $5.7 million by organizing a large number of fundraising activities that involved staff, customers, vendors and corporate supporters. Sector companies also took part in foundation initiatives such as Jeans Day™, Slo-Pitch and ChildRun. Since 1992, this division has raised over $42 million for BC’s kids. 6 summer 2013 speaking of children

THE MIRACLE WEEKEND SUPERHERO TEAM MIRACLE WEEKEND EXECUTIVE Chair Raymond Li, International Banking, RBC Vice-Chair Allen Bordeleau, Overwaitea Food Group Physician Chair Dr. Jennifer Druker, BC Children’s Hospital

Thank You British $18,353,580 raised

MIRACLE WEEKEND FUNDRAISING CABINET Banks Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank, Chair; Todd Shewfelt, RBC, Vice-Chair ChildRun Roshanac Heed, CIBC, Chair; Connie Baechler, RBC, Vice-Chair Chinese-Canadian Miracle Weekend Venita Kwan, Care Plus Cleaning Services & Stella Chan, Primerica Financial Services, Co-Chairs; Rebecca Chan, Modern Beauty Centre, Vice-Chair Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services Susan Byrom, Envision Financial & Valley First, Chair; Val MacKey, Aldergrove Financial Group, Vice-Chair Hospital Liaison Committee Terry Ho, BC Children’s Hospital, Chair; Debbie Cain, BC Children’s Hospital, Vice-Chair Hospitality & Restaurants Nicholas Gandossi, OPUS Hotel, Chair Jeans Day™ Cynthia Curll, BC Hydro, Chair; Scott Corbett, The Solution Group, Vice-Chair Mining Jason Weber, Kiska Metals Corp, Chair Real Estate & Development George Crowhurst, Chair; Roger Steers, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd., Vice-Chair Retail & Wholesale Bruce Shepherd, The Vancouver Sun & The Province, Chair; Claude Gauthier, National Importers, Vice-Chair Slo-Pitch Cam Rathwell, HSBC, Chair; Ken Andersen, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vice-Chair South Asian Community Suky Cheema, BDO Canada, Chair; Akash Sablok, Sablok & Sablok Notaries Public, Vice-Chair

On behalf of all the children and families who come to BC Children’s Hospital, thank you for making the 2013 Miracle Weekend an incredible success. We could not have done it without the support of our donors, volunteers, community groups, businesses, and events across BC and the Yukon. You are all Superheroes!

MIRACLE WEEKEND OPERATIONS CABINET Catering David Rooney & Nia Vekris, Co-Chairs Donations Management Carolyn Davies, Chair Guest Services Christina Papadimitriou, Chair Logistics Meghan Glover, Allison Hepworth, Karen Hopkinson, Christine MacKay, Leah Peden Play Area Brina Soni, Chair Presentations Donna Blaker & Laura Houghton, Co-Chairs Registration John Chandler, Chair Telephones Management Carol Miller & Louise Schmiing, Co-Chairs

COMMUNITIES FOR KIDS Port Alberni Barbara-Anne Kalugin & Steve Kalugin, Co-Chairs Prince George Rick Mintz & John Abbott, Co-Chairs Upper Fraser Valley Casey Hillton, Chair Vanderhoof Corleen McNolty & Michelle Roberge, Co-Chairs Luca Piccolo, 2013 Champion Child

22 speaking of children summer 2013

MEDIA PARTNERS

Columbia! for BC’s kids! $1 million + Costco Wholesale, Employees and Members Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Cooper’s Foods, Urban Fare and Bulkley Valley Wholesale Teck Resources Limited; Teck Highland Valley Copper; Teck Metals Ltd. Trail; Teck Coal

$750,000-$999,999 TD – Employees and Customers Walmart Canada & Associates

$500,000-$749,999 Hospitality & Restaurants Division RE/MAX of Western Canada

BANKS CHILDRUN CHINESE-CANADIAN MIRACLE WEEKEND DEVELOPMENT & REAL ESTATE JEANS DAY TM MINING FOR MIRACLES RETAIL & WHOLESALE

$2,251,632.59 $1,046,609.00 $1,150,398.00 $1,208,669.47 $1,280,150.00 $1,638,153.72 $5,763,974.45

MILLION-DOLLAR DIVISIONS & EVENTS

$250,000-$499,999 A World of Smiles Telethon Auxiliary to BC Children’s Hospital Balding for Dollars CIBC Clients and Employees Credit Unions, Insurance and Financial Services Dairy Queen Canada Inc. HSBC Bank Canada and Employees Medical Departments of BC Children’s Hospital and Child & Family Research Institute Slo-Pitch Event for BC Children’s Hospital

$100,000-$249,999 Asa and Kashmir Johal & Family BMO Financial Group Employees Building for Kids Charity Golf Classic Canada Safeway & Employees Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Community for Kids – Victoria Departments of Pediatric Anesthesia, Dentistry & Surgery of BCCH Goldcorp Inc. Golf For Kids Tournament Kids Running for Kids Kirmac Collision Services Millennium Pacific Greenhouses Partnership Ocean 98.5 RBC and RBC Employees & Clients Scotiabank Employees & Customers Summits of Hope TELUS Team Members & Retirees Tim Hortons Wigs for Kids

$50,000-$99,999 Aspen Custom Trailers BC Hydro Power Pioneers Canadian Western Bank Community for Kids – Upper Fraser Valley Community for Kids – Vanderhoof E. B. Horsman and Son ESSO Hannah’s Heroes Foundation Huckleberry Mines Ltd. & Employees Marketplace IGA The Oppenheimer Group Pacific Northwest Children’s Cancer Society – Kiwanis Children’s Cancer Program Prospera Credit Union Provincial Employees Community Services Fund Rogers Communications Scamp Transport Ltd. Sher-e-punjab Radio Broadcasting Inc. Team 4 Hope WOD for Kids

$25,000-$49,999 B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Assoc. Bats for a Cause BC Safety Authority BMX Canada ABA Association Child’s Play Charity Community for Kids – Nanaimo Community for Kids – Port Alberni Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. Dr. Knox Middle School Endeavour Silver Corp & Employees Envision Financial and Valley First

Extra Life Event (Children’s Miracle Network) Fraternal Order of the Eagles G&F Financial Group Hospital Liaison Committee ICBC International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union Local 502 Ledcor Group of Companies London Drugs Limited Marriott Hotels Mining Suppliers Association of BC Mint Pharmaceuticals Inc. North Shore Credit Union Silver Wheaton Spirit of Children Halloween Event sponsored by Spirit Halloween Surtek Industries Inc. TB Vets Charitable Foundation UBC Rec Lace Up for Kids

$10,000-$24,999 500 Georgia Office Partnership 501 Robson Residential Partnership 99.3 The Fox AA Wayne’s Towing – Charity Car Program Adera Foundation Society Aldergrove Financial Group AMEC Appia Developments Ausenco Avcorp Industries Inc. BC Ferries Refit Facilities BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Canadian Pacific Railway Canfor Corporation Chatters Salons Clean Energy BC

C-Lovers Fish & Chips Coast Capital Savings Community for Kids – Prince George Deepak Binning Foundation Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation DP World Éminence Organic Skin Care EV Logistics Finning Canada FLSmidth Knelson FS Financial Strategies Great Century Foundation Humphrey Construction Ltd. Impact 7 A Side Soccer Tournament Imperial Metals Corporation Interlock Industries (B.C.) Ltd. Jordan Owens Memorial Hockey Tournament Kids Can Help Kinder Legendary Developments Ltd. The Little Potato Company Long & McQuade Musical Instruments Mangia E Bevi Ristorante Mortgage Brokers Association of BC National Bank of Canada New Gold Inc. North American Produce Sales Onesie Event Philoptochos Society – St. George’s Greek Orthodox Community Pom Wonderful River Rock Casino Resort Robert L. Conconi Foundation Samsung Canada Sears Canada Employee Charitable Fund SMS Equipment Inc. Solidifi Appraiser Network Southwest Contracting Ltd. The Star Wars Tattoo Event TSC Nursery Sales Ltd. Stewart Minerals North Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation Taiga & LP Building Products TELUS Communications Inc./Westbank Thrifty Foods Truck Loggers Association Vancity Vancouver Police Dept The Vanisha Foundation Van-Whole Produce Ltd. Walton Capital Management Inc. Westberry Farms Ltd. Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids & West Elm Youth Helping Youth BC

MIRACLE MIRACLEMATCH MATCH

SPONSORS SPONSORS

SPECIAL SPECIAL THANKS THANKS TO TO

summer 2013 speaking of children

Help us colour in, count up and connect the dots between your donations and the well-being of BC’s children. Read BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2012-13 annual report to the community, the Activity Report, at www.bcchf.ca/annual-reports. Don’t forget your crayons!

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