Giving Back: DV Donates to SickKids

This holiday season, the DV family participated in The Hospital for Sick Children’s Sponsor-A-Family program.  The new program matches donors with a family in financial need.  Donors prepare and donate a holiday hamper filled with items from a family’s wish list.  http://www.sickkids.ca/ways-to-give/gifts-in-kind/sponsor-a-family/index.html

According to SickKids, “the medical and incidental expenses endured by the families of children being cared for by SickKids can often be overwhelming. This challenge is magnified for low-income families coping with the risks of poverty. For families with limited financial resources, the holidays can become a difficult time.”

DV was matched with Felicia* and her family.  Felicia is a 13 year old girl with sickle cell disease.  Felicia is the oldest child in her family and often acts as translator for her parents as English is not their first language.  Felicia has three siblings: Maggie* (11), Adam* (8), and Jack* (3).  Her parents have no extended family supports in Canada, and have extremely limited income.

The DV team, through a series of fundraising events and generous donations by lawyers and staff, shattered its fundraising goal.  Due to the successful fundraising efforts, DV was able to adopt a second family. 

Mason* (13) and his single mother, April*, have an unpredictable life dealing with Mason’s epilepsy and developmental delays.  April works in shifts and has limited family support due to distance.  The unpredictability of Mason’s seizures and need for care makes it difficult for April to maintain a full time job. 

DV hopes that Felicia’s and Mason’s families had a special holiday season enjoying our gifts.  We also hope that knowing that we cared about all of them will make these difficult times a little easier for not only their sick children, but the whole family.  

The DV family also donated to the general toy and gift drive which provides gifts to the Holiday Room, the Children’s Library, and the Treasure Box.  http://www.sickkids.ca/ways-to-give/gifts-in-kind/holiday-donations/index.html

*To protect patient confidentiality, all names have been changed.