A Camp Adventure to Remember for a Good Cause

This is my second year participating in the Walk for SickKids. However, due to a conflict, we weren’t able to actually partake in the walk. I did however work with my team and family to raise funds for this very important initiative that is near and dear to our hearts. My close friend and her family walked on behalf of our team #IHeartNora. Here is her daughter’s story and recollection of the wonderful day spent with her family and all other SickKids warriors.

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Heart failure. Two words we never expected to hear. Especially about our little girl.

Last September, our two year old daughter Nora was increasingly tired, having difficulty breathing, coughing and waking up with sweat-soaked hair at night.  At first, it was suspected she had bronchitis, then pneumonia and finally we heard those two words: heart failure.  After numerous visits to the Emergency at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and several overnight stays in the Cardiac unit, we were told that Nora would need an 8-hour open heart surgery to repair several heart defects.  While this was an extremely stressful and difficult time for our family, we are forever indebted to the staff, nurses, doctors and surgeons at SickKids whose support and tremendous skill saved our daughter’s life.  Today Nora is thriving.

On September 23^rd, we participated in The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to support the hospital that has given us so much.  The walk is truly geared for families and was such an inspiring and fun-filled day.  My husband Chris and I walked with Nora (who is now almost 4) and our son Cameron (7 months).  Nora had so much fun at each of the “campsites” which are set-up along the route every 5km.

Each campsite has a theme and involves activities for the kids, refreshments, tons of encouragement from volunteers, and a place to rest and connect with others.  You can go as far as you can manage and there are shuttles throughout the course that can take you back to the Main Campsite where the walk both kicks off and concludes with a celebration BBQ.  I’m so proud of our team (I heart Nora) that raised over $2,500 this year and can’t wait to walk again next year to help spread awareness for this wonderful institution!

While watching my daughter walk, a flood of emotions overcame me.  I felt tremendous relief and gratitude while also feeling so much compassion for those still fighting for their health.  While we have many visits to SickKids ahead of us, we are so very grateful for the now.

Please consider early registration for next year’s walk or visit fundthefight.ca to see other ways you can help. There are lots of kids, just like Nora, who need a community behind them for support.

Disclosure: I received compensation as an ambassador for this amazing program. The opinions and stories are my own. But really, I already felt strongly about this amazing organization before this campaign and have been supporting it via monthly donations for over 6 years.