I clearly remember the first day we became involved with SickKids. It was the same day we brought home our oldest son from the hospital after his birth. A SickKids representative showed up at our doorsteps telling us all about the great initiatives that SickKids Hospital is involved in. Without any hesitation, my husband and I knew that we needed to a part of this organization and we have been monthly donors ever since. While we can’t control what the future holds for our sons’ health, we can try to help out other children in need.
Since that moment when we decided to be involved with SickKids Hospital, we’ve unfortunately heard of so many stories of our friend’s children who have either required the assistance of SickKids or the services that they offer. Illnesses including cancer and brain tumors, the type of things that would be difficult for an adult to deal with, let alone a child. Personally, we have also had to use the services of SickKids, but for a less concerning issue. When our son was still an infant, we were worried about his weight. He was fairly small and ranked below the 10th percentile for both weight and height. Being our first son, we were obviously concerned; especially since everyone else seemed to have a child in the 99th percentile. We were fortunate to be able to get an appointment with a pediatrician from SickKids who met with us on several occasions, and assured us that we have a very healthy boy (who just happened to be a small baby). I’m forever grateful for the time and information that the Doctor provided my husband and I to put our mind at ease and to help us learn and grow as first time parents.
The Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids
Whether or not you live in Toronto or currently support SickKids hospital on a regular on-going basis, there’s a great event coming up that you can be a part of to help improve the lives of many kids who rely on SickKids for support and assistance on a daily basis. On September 27, 2014, join the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids. Over the course of one day, more than a thousand walkers — young and young at heart — will take to the streets of downtown Toronto, united in a common goal of supporting SickKids and helping to improve children’s health. As a family, walk either 5 or 10 KM or challenge yourselves on a 15 or 20 KM walk. Along the way, you’ll find fun-filled campsite stops with unique games and activities that will challenge and entertain all participants.
Fundraising Ideas
You can support other walkers through donations or sign up your family to participate in the walk. Fundraising is easy and it’s a great opportunity to teach your children about the importance of philanthropy and giving back.
If your child has a birthday coming up, consider asking attendees to donate money to this great cause in lieu of a gift. I did this for my youngest son’s first birthday party and I couldn’t have been happier with the results. The last thing we needed was another toy in our already Toys-R-Us look-alike house and both our guests and my husband and I felt good about being able to give back in honor of our son.- Send family and friends a quick e-mail about the initiative and ask them to donate.
- Set up a lemonade stand / bake sale / yard sale with your kids with all of the proceeds going to the event.
To find out more information about the event, go to www.WalkforSickKids.ca. You can request more information about the event and/or register your family as event participants.
Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by The SickKids Foundation, however the opinions and images are my own.
Definitely a noble initiative to pursue 🙂 We’re fortunate that our son needed only one night of observation/incubation with jaundice and that he’s been VERY healthy since. But I know many other parents who aren’t as fortunate, so I hope there’s a lot of participation for the walk to bring the care that many families so sorely need!
Thanks for the awareness!
This is a such a great cause, supporting it is a nice thing to do!
I love the lemonade stand idea for fundraising, I wouldn’t have though of that.
I like the idea of asking friends to donate to a favourite charity instead of bringing birthday gifts. Our kids have so many toys they don’t need more, but other people do need things. 🙂 Great ideas here for supporting SickKids, and good for you for doing that!
I love this idea! What a great way to raise money!! My son has decided for his next birthday in lieu of bday presents he wants donations to his Earth Ranger foundation! So proud!
I am a big supporter of Children’s hospitals. Since I am in London, most of my work and funds stay here but I have to admit. Sick Kids gets patients from all over the province. Great cause. Thanks for creating greater awareness.
A great cause! They have helped my niece big time and am thankful they are so awesome. Love the birthday idea for a little fundraiser.
What a wonderful idea in supporting such a great cause in lieu of gifts. Maybe families in our area do the same thing when they host big parties. I stand clear of big parties but will consider it for the next one. I think doing this for the kids young is very important.
We love supporting Sick Kids (and Mount Sinai), as they were also part of Little One’s early days, weeks, months, and years. What a great cause. Thanks for posting this as it’s good to get the word out.
SickKids is a great thing to support, the hospital helped my nephew while he was sick when he was younger.
Fabulous cause! So sad to see children not be able to just run about and be free with other kids, rather than being stuck in a hospital. I hope this year’s fundraiser is a big success!
Reading this again, Maya. When I think of Sick Kids, I think of all the amazing things they do for little ones. I was so surprised when we had our monthly visits to Sick Kids when Little One was a baby. They try to make it a happy, bright place when I thought it would be a place of sadness. May this year’s fundraiser be a great one!
This is a really great cause! I am also supporting and sending money back home to help an organization and even though I have a very meager income, I still make sure that I am able to give even just a little amount, because I know it will go a long way. I’d like to do what you’ve suggested that instead of bringing gifts/toys as birthday gifts, I’d ask them to donate to Sick Kids. That would really make me happy and many kids as well.
A great cause and a great hospital! I’m a big Sick Kids fan. I spent 2 weeks there fighting a bad infection when I was 12 years old. Although it was a rough experience, the staff there made things so much more bearable for me. I was hospitalized over my birthday and the nurses made me a cake, brought me a present and balloons, and sang happy birthday to me. It’s a great memory that is still with me to this day. Thanks for sharing your story. What a beautiful family photo that is ^.
Great post – love to see people supporting Sick Kids. Such an important facility and important part of Toronto.
Good for you! I have two friends who have gone through health issues with small children. Love seeing people trying to help!