When I became a mom, the world began to look a little different. I care about new things, I worry about things that never crossed my mind before. I see miracles in minutiae and I hold my breath as I learn to let go. Most importantly, I have learned that parenthood is an alliance and we’re all in it together, no matter what our individual stories are.
That’s why Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is special to me. I believe my first connection to this pediatric palliative care facility was via Michaela Evanow and her beautiful daughter Florence Marigold, now an angel in heaven. When Florence was still with us, I joined Michaela in her campaign to collect more cheerful-looking mugs for the kitchen at Canuck Place, frequented by the parents whose children receive care there. I know how much this place means to Florence’s family and to the many, many families who require its services.
I’m always happy to spread awareness about Canuck Place – what they do and how you can support them. Please read about their fundraiser adventure race and enter below to win a race entry or an 8X10″ signed poster of Vancouver Canuck, Henrik Sedin!
About Canuck Place
Like many six year-olds, Kaitlyn Sidhu loves music, but unlike most girls her age, Kaitlyn has had to endure a lot in her short life. At birth, she was diagnosed with a rare life-threatening condition called semilobar holoprosenchephaly, which meant her brain was not fully developed. She has also undergone several rounds of extensive chemotherapy to treat cancer.
So for Kaitlyn, music is more than singing along to the radio from her car seat. She works with a music therapist at Canuck Place, where she can enjoy making music, using specially designed instruments to help express herself.
Kaitlyn also enjoys playing with her adoring older siblings, Sean and Brittany. But with three children to care for, and Kaitlyn’s complex health challenges, her parents Amanda and Robert often find themselves stretched to the limit.
This is where Canuck Place steps in. In addition to bringing music to Kaitlyn’s life, Canuck Place has opened its doors to her entire family.
“Kaitlyn has spent almost half of her life in the hospital,” said Amanda. “This meant our family was living apart, until we were welcomed into Canuck Place. The clinical team has done everything possible to help Kaitlyn. They literally saved our family from a very difficult time.”
Enter the giveaway below! Don’t forget to enter separately for each prize by using the arrow to scroll to the next one.
Good luck!
Canuck Place Hospice is a wonderful place for patients and their families. I have had a close family friend have their brother in there as a child and nothing but positive feedback about the hospice and the staff.
Great giveaway!
Hi Gillian – I have only heard about the wonderful impact of Canuck Place! Thanks for sharing and for entering the giveaway 🙂 Congrats on winning!