speaking of children, fall 2012

fall 2012

THE NEW BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

EMERGENCY AND CANCER CARE

FLU SHOT

bcchf.ca

Change is in the air

superhero news

2 speaking of children fall 2012

The restorative powers of a healing

environment on the human psyche

have long been documented. A healing

environment is one that takes, in addi-

tion to medical technology and patient

safety, all aspects of a patient’s sur-

roundings into account: air quality,

light, noise, furniture, colour, nature

and much more. Scientific studies have

found that art heals by changing a per-

son’s physiology, attitude, emotional

state and even pain perception.

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s

Healing Environment Committee

strives to create a welcoming and heal-

ing environment for children by placing

appropriate art into the hospital. The

hospital has benefited from a variety of

donations of artwork as well as finan-

cial contributions from donors. Over the years many hospital

areas have been dressed with donated artwork.

Among the major works displayed are 65 Red Roses, which

is on extended loan to the hospital and made possible by

Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Canadian Federation of

Artists; Quantum Kismet, a gift made in memory of Mr.

Alberto Morgadinho by his family; and the On Stage, Please

Gallery, illustrations from a children’s book by the same

name and written by Veronica Tennant,

COC, former prima ballerina with the

National Ballet of Canada. On Stage,

Please Gallery was acquired courtesy

of the Art for Healing Foundation and

was the foundation’s first installation

in Western Canada.

“Instead of walking through corridors

that are blank, patients and their fam-

ilies can roam the hallways and be

taken away from their illnesses, even

for a few moments, by focusing on

something other than why they are in

the hospital,” says Earl Pinchuk of the

Art for Healing Foundation.

Members of the Healing Environment

Committee will work closely with the

hospital’s redevelopment team to

ensure the healing aspect is considered during every stage of

design for the new hospital.

If you are interested in donating a work of art to the hospi-

tal, please contact Nancy Stoiber at 604-875-2444.

Healing the mind, body and soul

The Auxiliary to BC Children’s Hospital celebrates over $5 million raisedThe Auxiliary to BC Children’s Hospital

was formed 31 years ago to raise money

to enhance the comfort and welfare

of children and youth, and their fam-

ilies at BC Children’s Hospital. This year

the Auxiliary is celebrating the remark-

able achievement of raising more than

$5 million for the hospital. This total is

testament to the commitment and hard

work of the Auxiliary team, many of

whom have been involved with the Auxiliary since the begin-

ning. Volunteers donate countless hours to run programs

and events, including the hospital’s Gift

Shop, the Still Fabulous Thrift Shop, its

holiday card program, clothing donation

bins, silent auctions and summer book

sales. Revenues generated go to support

important items and programs including

music therapy, the therapeutic clown

program, recreation for mental health

patients, Child Life, toys for clinics, and

the Auxiliary’s $1-million pledge to the

Campaign for BC Children. Thank you, Auxiliary to BC Chil-

dren’s Hospital, for your steadfast support of the hospital!

Top: Artist Norah Borden with her work, Quantum Kismet, at the Child & Family Research Institute; Below: Author Veronica Tennant, COC at the unveiling of the On Stage, Please Gallery at BC Children’s Hospital.

10

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fall 2012 speaking of children 3

www.bcchf.ca

MANAGING EDITORStephen Forgacs

EDITORWinnie Tam

CONTRIBUTORS Mona Bhullar, Alissa Collingridge, Stephen Forgacs, Susan Shumay,

Winnie Tam, Janice Williams

PHOTOGRAPHYVincent L. Chan,

Invisionation Photography, Irvin Cheung,

James LaBounty, Life In Images Photographics,

Ron Sombilon Gallery, Goran Samardziski

ART DIRECTORGabriele Chaykowski

PROJECT MANAGER Casey Crawford

PRODUCED BY

For more information about the editorial content of Speaking of Children or to make a donation

to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation or Sunny Hill Foundation for Children,

please contact 604-875-2444, toll-free at 1-888-663-3033

or [email protected].

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

fall 2012

inside speaking of children

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for

Children and the Child & Family Research Institute.

A PUBLICATION OF

features6

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The new BC Children’s Hospital New facility puts families first.

Round-the-clockThe best in emergency care 24/7.

Children with cancerKids and caregivers to gain from new oncology floor.

superhero news

well said

speaking of people

what’s on

caring for the future

healthy habits

what’s up, doc?

children speak

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121415 161819

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well said

We’ve come a long way since we launched the

$200-million Campaign for BC Children in 2008

to support the construction of a new BC Children’s

Hospital and improve access to pediatric care for

BC’s children and families. We’re proud that, to

date, we’ve raised $150 million of our $200-million

campaign goal. Importantly, thanks to you, our

dream of giving BC’s children a new, state-of-the-

art hospital is no longer just a dream, it’s becoming

reality.

In September, we celebrated the opening of the

Clinical Support Building (CSB) located on our

hospital site, which houses some of the staff who

have vacated their workspaces in the 70-year-old

Shaughnessy Building to make way for the new

hospital. This was a remarkable milestone as the

groundbreaking for the CSB marked the first sign

of construction on our site and the beginning of the transformation that will lead to the

opening of the new hospital in 2018. Although construction of the hospital building has

not yet begun, BC’s children are already reaping its benefits in the form of the caregivers

we are able to recruit. Over the past few years we have been extremely successful in

recruiting top pediatric subspecialists from around the world, many of whom cite the

promise of the new hospital as a factor in their decision to come to BC. By supporting

the Campaign for BC Children your gift is already having an impact: not only are you

ensuring children and families have a better-designed facility in the future, you’re also

ensuring children are treated by some of the world’s best caregivers today.

I hope that as we pass the three-quarter mark of our campaign, you will continue your

support and help us complete the largest fundraising initiative of its kind in the prov-

ince’s history. BC’s children and families are relying on you to give them an enhanced

health-care environment, and our caregivers are looking to you to give them the tools

and resources they need to do their jobs – saving children’s lives.

Thank you for standing beside us as we build a new hospital for our children.

Sincerely,

Teri Nicholas, MSW, RSW

President & CEO

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

Your support is needed now more than ever

BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Board of Directors 2012 as of June 30, 2012

Mr. Kevin Bent, Chair

Mr. David Doig

Mr. Larry Gold

Mr. Doug Gordon

Mr. Peter Green

Mrs. Lisa Hudson

Mrs. Tammi Kerzner

Mr. Don Lindsay

Mr. Graham MacLachlan

Mr. Geoff Parkin

Dr. Erik Skarsgard

Ms. Sandy So

Ms. Andrea Southcott

Mrs. Diane Zell

Foundation Executive

Teri Nicholas, MSW, RSWPresident & CEO

Linda Muller, MBAVice-President & Chief Philanthropy Officer

Knut Nordlie, CFREVice-President & Chief Operating Officer

Debora Sweeney, CFREVice-President & Chief Strategy Officer


Change is in the air

Over the past two years, hospital administrators, front-

line health workers and even patient family members

have spent countless hours going through complex

planning processes to come up with the best possible

designs for the new BC Children’s Hospital. It’s time

well worth spending – the new facility is expected to

transform the delivery of care for generations and will

continue to be a trusted place for children and families

to receive the specialized care and support they

need. The new facility will be much better equipped

– in terms of its physical layout, technology and

the enhancements in care that are enabled by these

changes – to meet children’s and families’ needs.

In this issue of Speaking of Children, you will read the

latest news on the hospital’s planning and how children

with chronic and complex illnesses will benefit from

the rigour that’s being applied to the hospital’s planning

process. You will also read about the changes in store

for two departments – Emergency and Oncology – as

the new hospital begins to take shape.


A year ago, Andrea Howorth would never have guessed

she’d become an expert on childhood cancer care. But that is

exactly what she and her husband became when their daugh-

ter, Clara, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

(ALL) in January 2012.

“We immediately became doctor mommy and daddy, admin-

istering many treatments at home,” says Andrea. “We

wanted to know everything about ALL.”

Clara was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

(PICU) within hours of her arrival at BC Children’s Hospital.

During her nine-day stay on the unit, Andrea gained a raw

perspective of why a new Children’s Hospital is so desper-

ately needed.

“Things were tight and thankfully no one was beside us [in

the PICU] so we were able to put a cot beside Clara’s bed. But

there was just a curtain separating us from other families,”

she says.

feature story

Mothers know best The mother of a six-year-old girl with cancer is helping hospital planners ensure the new BC Children’s Hospital meets families’ needs.

by WINNIE TAM

Above: Andrea Howorth with her daughter, Clara; Right: Conceptual illustration of a patient room in the new BC Children’s Hospital (subject to change).


Later, when Clara was transferred to the Oncology ward,

Andrea noticed other challenges that aren’t immediately evi-

dent – such as how hard it is for families to make and store

home-cooked meals. Chemotherapy affects a child’s sense

of taste, making certain foods unpleasant to them. Many

parents want to cook their own meals to encourage their

children to eat. “But there’s only one stove on the ward and

when we opened the fridge for the first time and saw that

it was full, we were surprised because we didn’t realize how

many people actually lived there,” Andrea says.

Last spring and summer, during an innovative process called

Integrated Facility Design (IFD), patient families like the

Howorths, hospital administrators, front-line health work-

ers and other stakeholders toured full-scale mockups of

entire floors of the new BC Children’s Hospital. The feedback

they provided on the proposed layouts will be made available

to the final design team.

“I can’t even describe how good it was to see the space in

3D,” says Grace Chan, program manager of the Oncology,

Hematology and Blood and Marrow Transplant Program.

“With IFD we were able to envision sight lines. We realized

that certain areas on the unit, such as the playroom and the

medication room, should be half-height – half glass, half

wall – so that caregivers can have a better visualization of

patients from a distance.

“We also want to change the way patients are admitted so

that there is a more seamless transition. Right now patients

come to the outpatient clinic to start their treatment and

then get admitted to the inpatient unit if necessary. In the

new hospital we want to look at ways where we can reduce

the number of transitions,” says Chan.

This streamlining of care will be aided by locating all oncol-

ogy services on one floor rather than across three, as they

are currently laid out.

“Having staff physically connected is huge. It will save trav-

elling time, improve communication amongst caregivers and

enable them to provide treatment more efficiently,” says

Chan. “Everything will equal less waiting time for families.”

The new floor will also boast more patient rooms, each with

windows, a bathroom and a sleeping space for parents.

Patients and family members will also have access to

dedicated lounge areas as well as larger shared facilities,

including a kitchen.

“Basically when your child is admitted you’re living in a bub-

ble and their immune system is compromised. You don’t

necessarily want to go out into the public for fear of catching

something,” says Andrea. “It will be much more convenient

to have access to everything on the same floor.”

Since Clara will be monitored at Children’s until she’s 18,

Andrea appreciated the opportunity to influence the design

of a facility that will continue to play a big role in her family’s

life when the new hospital opens in 2018. “It was really nice

to be invited to give input from a family’s point of view.”

She’s also grateful for the care her family is receiving now.

“The thing I love is that the Oncology staff are our personal

emergency department. It’s extremely comforting knowing

they are just a phone call away,” she says. “When you have a

child with cancer, you have lots of questions. The staff know

our story, know our daughter and will count to three before

giving a poke if needed. The staff are truly amazing!”

Two donors who are leading the way in the transformation

of Oncology are Capstone Mining Corp. and the Chinese-

Canadian community. In 2010, BC-based Capstone pledged

$3 million to support the Oncology Outpatient Clinic in the

new BC Children’s Hospital. The Chinese-Canadian commun-

ity is raising another $5 million for the inpatient unit and

is expected to reach its goal by spring 2013. Together, their

generosity will ensure BC’s children with cancer and blood

disorders continue to receive the best in care.

“We’re very, very thankful for all of the people and the money

that is raised to build the new hospital,” Andrea says.

Stacey Friedman has lost count of the number of times she

and her 10-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, have visited the

Emergency Department (ED) at BC Children’s. “I remember

the very first time was when Gabrielle was 15 months old,”

says Stacey. “She had had the flu and the usual symptoms

– fever, cough and sleeping lots – but when she wouldn’t

wake up and became completely unresponsive, we knew

something was seriously wrong.”

When Gabrielle was two she was finally diagnosed with a

condition called portal vein thrombosis and portal hyperten-

sion, in which a clot in a vein causes blood on its way to the

liver to back up into the spleen. This causes other veins to

dilate to create new paths for blood flow.

Though Gabrielle is one of only a handful of people with this

condition in BC, her condition illustrates the importance of

having a child-specific ED that families from across the prov-

ince can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Respiratory-related conditions are the number one reason

why children come to the Emergency Department, followed

by fever and minor injuries from falls, accidents or sports-

related incidences,” says Christy Hay, program manager of

the hospital’s ED.

Last year, the ED received close to 45,000 visits from children

and families. That number is expected to climb, ironically,

because of advances in pediatric medicine and the hospital’s

reputation for its high level of care.


feature story

In case of emergencyFor most children catching a cold isn’t a big deal, but for children with chronic and complex conditions, like Gabrielle Friedman, it can mean a visit to BC Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department.

by MONA BHULLAR

“Children with chronic and complex conditions are surviv-

ing much longer, which means they will require our care for a

longer period of time,” explains Hay. “Our care providers are

specially trained in pediatric emergency care. That’s comfort-

ing for families and that’s why they choose to travel here.”

The 30-year-old ED has had to operate beyond capacity for

many years, creating a host of challenges.

“When I carried Gabrielle into Emergency you’re right there

in the open. Everyone can hear everything you’re saying.

There’s no privacy,” Stacey says.

Other factors exacerbate the situation. “Unlike an adult

facility, when a child comes into Emergency, they’re accom-

panied by multiple family members and that impacts our

limited space,” says Hay. “It’s almost like our patients are in

a fish bowl. Some of our hallways are like thoroughfares and

become congested, creating unnecessary noise and stress

for families.”

Feedback from Hay, as well as from patient families like the

Friedmans, is being considered by the planning team for the

new BC Children’s Hospital, whose top priority is to address

the needs of children and families. The work of the planning

team is further supported by the leadership of donors like

the Ledcor Group of Companies and the Dave Lede Family

Charitable Foundation, which, together, generously contrib-

uted $5 million in support of the ED in the new hospital.

“What we’re envisioning for the new Emergency Depart-

ment is to eliminate the concept of the traditional waiting

room,” says Hay. “Instead, what you’ll see is that as soon as

a family walks into the department, they would be triaged

by a nurse or physician in one of four assessment rooms. It’s

within the privacy of these rooms that they would explain

the reason for their visit and provide caregivers with their

personal information.”

Children and families can also look forward to larger, more

comfortable and private patient rooms in the new facil-

ity. “We’ll also have rooms where patients can stay up to 24

hours while we decide whether or not they need to be admit-

ted to the hospital,” says Hay.

Rather than waiting for the new hospital to open in 2018

before implementing changes, Hay says the ED is already

testing new models of care within the existing floor plan.

“We’ve hired two nurse practitioners and for our less urgent

cases, families won’t necessarily have to wait to see a doc-

tor,” she says. “The nurse practitioners will be able to assess,

diagnose and prescribe medications within their scope of

practice. For example, if a child comes in with an earache,

the nurse practitioner will be able to assess the child, pre-

scribe antibiotics and the family can then go home.”

Stacey says she’s indebted to the caregivers in Emergency

and in other disciplines for managing Gabrielle’s complex

health conditions over the years. Today, Gabrielle is healthy

and comes to BC Children’s every nine months for checkups.

“I can say with certainty that if Children’s Hospital didn’t

exist, Gabrielle wouldn’t be here today,” says Stacey. “I want

people to donate to the hospital. Everyone goes about their

daily lives not thinking about it; it’s only when people need BC

Children’s do they realize how lucky we are to have it.”


Above: Conceptual rendering of the new BC Children’s Hospital (subject to change). Right: Gabrielle Friedman and her mother, Stacey.

Luca, a Burnaby resident and keen soccer player, appears

healthy, but like a growing number of children who are liv-

ing with chronic conditions, he will require specialized care

for the rest of his life. The 11-year-old has cystic fibrosis, a

chronic condition that affects his lungs and digestive sys-

tem. To combat his illness he follows a strict daily regimen

that includes two physiotherapy sessions, and taking up to

40 pills. His parents know with certainty that Luca will bene-

fit from the new BC Children’s Hospital, and they understand

how badly it’s needed.

“Kids like Luca are a relatively new phenomenon in pedi-

atric care,” says his mother, Lisa. “He has frequent routine

appointments at the hospital, and even though he always

receives excellent care, the need for a new facility is particu-

larly evident to us when he has to stay overnight.”

Dave Ingram, the chief project officer leading the planning

of the new BC Children’s Hospital, looks to children like Luca

as he leads his team through the lengthy and complex plan-

ning process. This summer the team completed a planning


A new BC Children’s Hospital: An investment in the futureLuca Piccolo’s parents don’t need a crystal ball to see into the future; they know that their son will need the services of BC Children’s Hospital again and again. The new hospital, to open in 2018, will ensure Luca, and children like him, continue to receive the best possible care far into the future.

by STEPHEN FORGACS

feature story

exercise that involved mocking up full-scale models of entire

floors of the new hospital in a Burnaby warehouse. The feed-

back from that exercise, called Integrated Facility Design, in

which parents whose children have spent time in the hospital

worked alongside caregivers, architects and administrators

to test floor plans, will influence the final design.

“This is the first time this has been done on this scale in a

Canadian health-care environment,” says Ingram. “It allows

people to interact with the design in a much more meaning-

ful way. It brings to life the architectural drawings. It’s much

more experiential in nature.”

Close collaboration with parents and with caregivers is

vital to ensure the new hospital is built to address dramatic

changes in the pediatric health-care environment since the

current hospital opened in 1982.

“When planning was underway for the 1982 hospital, open

wards were the way to go,” Ingram says. “Today the single

room is the modern health-care standard.”

Striking a balance between the needs of patients and their

families and those of care providers is a priority today, he

says, emphasizing that the two are not mutually exclusive.

“A quality environment for providers helps them put patients

first,” says Ingram. “And if patients have a calming, healing

environment they are more receptive to providers.”

Ingram says that a more patient- and family-friendly en-

vironment is an important consideration in planning the new

hospital, but adds that it is just one of many factors behind

the urgent need. While an ever greater number of children

are now being treated at the hospital on a day-patient basis,

the beds they once required are being occupied by a different

type of patient – children, like Luca, with chronic condi-

tions and those who have undergone complex surgeries or

have suffered severe injuries. The hospital’s ability to care

for children with life-threatening illnesses and injuries has

improved, and with that comes the need for spaces suitable

for large surgical teams and a range of equipment, as well as

patient rooms uniformly outfitted to meet the medical needs

of children in moments of crisis.

Planners are also working with hospital staff to design for

greater efficiency. A pod structure, for example, in which

groups of patient or treatment rooms are located around

decentralized supply stations and even medication rooms,

will reduce the amount of time staff have to spend retrieving

equipment and other items and, in turn, increase the amount

of time they can spend with patients.

“One thing that won’t change is the passion and commit-

ment of staff to delivering excellent care,” says Ingram. “It’s

a demanding field and we want to make sure the new facility

will help us continue to recruit the best and the brightest.”

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is raising $150 million to

support the construction of the new Children’s Hospital. In

2008, Teck Resources Limited made an historic $25-million

gift to support the hospital’s construction, safeguarding the

health of children for generations to come.

Luca’s mother, Lisa, says children like her son are living proof

that investments in pediatric care yield great benefits to

children and to society. “I feel it’s our duty to do what we can

to help the hospital and BC’s kids,” she says. “And by invest-

ing in a new BC Children’s Hospital we are showing our

children and grandchildren that, really, nothing’s more

important to us than their future.”


Planners working on the new BC Children’s Hospital assembled full-scale versions of each floor of the new hospital and then, with the help of caregivers, parents and architects, tested the layouts.

To make a donation to BC Children’s

Hospital, please visit www.bcchf.ca.

LUCA PICCOLO, CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK CHAMPION PRESENTED BY WALMART CANADABC Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to

announce that 11-year-old Luca Piccolo is the

new Children’s Miracle Network Champion,

presented by Walmart Canada. When Luca was

two years old, he was diagnosed with cystic

fibrosis (CF) – a chronic and life-limiting

illness that requires him to follow a strict daily

regimen of medication and therapy. Twice a

day Luca must do physiotherapy, in addition to

taking up to 40 pills a day to combat infection

and aid digestion. CF is said to be an invisible

disease because Luca appears to be healthy on

the outside, but underneath lies a disease that

he battles every day. To read Luca’s full story,

visit www.bcchf.ca/miracle-stories.

CN MIRACLE MATCHThe CN Miracle Match program, which ran

through the summer, was a tremendous success,

raising $1.8 million for BC Children’s Hospital

Foundation. Individuals, businesses and com-

munity groups across the province raised funds

in response to CN’s fund-matching challenge.

At the CN Canadian Women’s Open, spectators,

volunteers and players also made contribu-

tions, leading to this impressive result. To date,

the CN Miracle Match program has raised over

$8.2 million in support of children’s hospitals

across Canada.

MIRACLE TREAT DAYMiracle Treat Day was a great success again this

year. On July 26, $1 or more from every Bliz-

zard Treat sold at participating Dairy Queen

locations benefited Children’s Miracle Network

hospitals, including BC Children’s Hospital.

DQ Blizzards have never tasted so good!

SMILE COOKIESFrom September 17 to 23, Tim Hortons and its

customers helped put smiles back where they

belong for BC’s kids. Delicious chocolate chip

Smile Cookies were sold for $1 each with 100

per cent of proceeds going to Children’s. The

campaign raised over S193,000 toward the pur-

chase of equipment for BC Children’s and Sunny

Hill Health Centre for Children.

GRIND FOR KIDSThe third annual Grind For Kids, in which

Grouse Grind enthusiasts solicit pledges of

$1 or more for every Grind they complete,

wrapped up upon the close of the Grouse Grind

this season. Thanks to the support of dedicated

participants and sponsors, Grind For Kids has

raised over $430,000 for BC Children’s Hospital

in the past three years.

KIDS RUNNING FOR KIDSA group of 70 kids from Williams Lake

celebrated their year-long fundraising efforts

for BC Children’s Hospital by running from

Williams Lake through various BC communities

to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. From

June 30 to July 7, this group of youngsters, ages

six to 18, ran approximately five kilometres

each day. The original fundraising goal of

Kids Running for Kids was $25,000. Through

raffles, a dinner and dance, bottled drink sales

at sporting events, a garage sale, recyclables

collections and donations from friends, families

and community supporters, the group has now

raised $100,000!

CELEBRATING A TRUE PHILANTHROPIST On September 27, BC Children’s Hospital Foun-

dation, together with the Djavad Mowafaghian

Foundation, proudly hosted an intimate din-

ner to celebrate the appointment of Dr. Djavad

Mowafaghian to the Order of British Columbia.

Dr. Mowafaghian is one of BC Children’s Hospital

Foundation’s closest friends and donors, and is a

foundation governor. Dr. Mowafaghian’s family

and friends, as well as representatives from the

government and other charitable organizations,

attended and honoured Dr. Mowafaghian for his

tremendous contributions to the province.

THE LADNER STORM WINS BIGCongratulations to Ladner Storm – the win-

ning team of the 2012 BMO Team of the Week

Championship. In addition to winning $125,000

toward the refurbishment of a soccer field in

Ladner, the team directed its $5,000 charitable


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speaking of people

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donation prize to BC Children’s Hospital. Thank

you, Ladner Storm, and everyone who voted to

help the Ladner Storm win this generous prize

from BMO.

CHILDREN’S CIRCLE OF CAREOn September 15, Children’s Circle of Care

donors and their guests got a rare chance to

view “Grandpa’s Old Cars” – a magnificent col-

lection of vintage cars owned by Jim Ratsoy.

Mr. Ratsoy owns one of the largest collections

of its kind in Western Canada. Guests enjoyed

a 1950s-inspired dinner and received updates

on plans for the new BC Children’s Hospital. For

information on the Children’s Circle of Care,

please contact Amanda Sayfy at 604-875-2545


Photos (from left): 1 Luca Piccolo; 2 Mr. Hamid Eshghi, Dr.

Djavad Mowafaghian, Ms. Teri Nicholas and Mr. Abrahim

Tahsili at Dr. Mowafaghian’s Order of BC celebration dinner;

3 Grind For Kids participant, Jason Chong; 4 Circle of Care

member Sylvia Chen, Jim Ratsoy and performer Tracey Bell

as Marilyn Monroe at the Children’s Circle of Care event; 5

Team members of the Ladner Storm; 6 Kids Running for

Kids; 7 Natasha Feuchuk, BC Children’s Hospital’s CN Miracle

Match ambassador (second from left) and Teri Nicholas, presi-

dent and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (second

from right) accept a $1.8-million cheque at the CN Canadian

Women’s Open.


17TH ANNUAL CLASSIC FORE KIDS TOURNAMENT Organized by Overwaitea Food Group, lead benefactor to Child Health BC

Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) is a lead donor to the Campaign for BC Children and the lead

benefactor to Child Health BC with a generous pledge of $20 million. The tireless efforts of the

OFG family culminated in a remarkable milestone this year - $10 million raised toward its $20-

million goal!

On September 13, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation proudly celebrated OFG’s achievements

with 334 OFG supplier partners and team members who participated in the 17th annual Classic

Fore Kids golf tournament. Everyone delighted in this year’s theme of “Around the Globe – in

Birdies & Bogies” with creative golfing outfits. Continuing its distinguished history, the 2012

tournament was once again a huge success, raising much-needed funds for Child Health BC.

“The Overwaitea Food Group and its partners demonstrate annually that when people pull

together for a common cause they can make a real difference in the lives of children,” said Teri

Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Money

raised in support of Child Health BC and BC Children’s Hospital has an

immediate impact on children in hundreds of communities across

the province, giving them access to specialized care closer to home.

Families from all corners of the province benefit every day from

the fact that Overwaitea Food Group’s customers, team members

and suppliers truly care.”

Overwaitea Food Group president Darrell Jones with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation president and CEO Teri Nicholas.

4

7


what’s on

FESTIVAL OF TREESCelebrate the holidays and visit the Festival of

Trees happening in Vancouver and on the island.

In Vancouver, trees will be on display at the Four

Seasons Hotel Vancouver and Pacific Centre

Mall. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite tree

and make a donation in support of the Campaign

for BC Children. Follow the Victoria Festival of

Trees on Twitter, @FestivalOTrees, and ‘Like’

them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/

pages/BC-Childrens-Hospital-Festival-of-Trees

to stay up-to-date on the event.For more infor-

mation, visit www.bcchf.ca/festival-of-trees.

VANCOUVER

November 21, 2012 –January 1, 2013The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and

Pacific Centre Mall

VICTORIA

November 20, 2012 – January 4, 2013The Fairmont Empress

PORT ALBERNI

November 21, 2012 – January 4, 2013The Best Western Barclay Hotel

SOOKE

November 30, 2012 – January 4, 2013SEAPARC Leisure Complex

26TH ANNUAL CRYSTAL BALLNovember 29, 2012, marks the 26th annual

Crystal Ball. Once again, this black-tie affair will

welcome 400 guests to the Four Seasons Hotel

Vancouver in support of the Campaign for

BC Children. For more information, or to make

a gift to the Ball’s Special Giving Program,

please contact Amanda Sayfy at 604-875-2545


2013 FOR CHILDREN WE CARE GALAThe 19th annual For Children We Care Gala,

presented by the Metro Vancouver BMW Re-

tailers, will take place on Saturday, February 2,

2013, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Organized by caring members of the Chinese-

Canadian community, 1,000 guests are ex-

pected to attend this spectacular black-tie

event. All proceeds will go to the Campaign

for BC Children. Contact Wendy Wong at

604-875-2673 or [email protected] for spon-

sorship opportunities and ticket information.

CALLING SLO-PITCH TEAMS!It’s not too early to think about going to bat

for BC’s kids! Be one of the first teams to

register for 2013 Slo-Pitch, happening May

24-26, and reserve your preferred game time

at www.bcchf.ca/slopitch. Now is the time to

start fundraising and making plans to join

your colleagues and friends on your industry’s

designated day at Softball City. Softball skills

are not required to hit a fundraising home run

for BC’s kids!

BOARD, GOVERNOR AND SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTSBob Bryant has resigned from the BC Children’s Hospital Foun-

dation Society after serving BC’s children and families for more

than 20 years. Bob’s service with the foundation is extensive and

includes serving as a foundation governor for six years, on the

foundation’s Board of Directors from 1991-2002 (as chair from

1999-2001), as a society member from September 2007-2012, and

as a member on many committees. We extend our heartfelt thanks

to Bob for his many years of service.

Stephanie Carlson is leaving the society after serving her max-

imum 12-year term. She will join the governors and continue to

serve on the Healing Environment and Allocations committees.

Stephanie is a past board chair and was on the Board of Directors

from 1992-2005.

We welcome our longtime volunteers Isabelle Diamond and

Jeff Dowle to the society. Isabelle served on our Board of Direc-

tors from 1984-2005, was a society member from 1993-2004 and

lent her expertise on many committees, including the inaugural

Crystal Ball committee 26 years ago. Jeff also has more than a dec-

ade of service under his belt, including serving on the board from

2006-2008, as a governor from 2005-2012 and as a member of

various committees.

Departing governors include Lisa Graham, who has served a

three-year term, and John Ridley, who fulfilled his appointment

as a governor when his term as the 2012 Miracle Weekend chair

ended. John remains on the Lottery and Communications Advis-

ory committees. We are pleased to welcome our new governors

Raymond Li, incoming chair of Miracle Weekend and senior pri-

vate banker with International Private Banking at RBC Wealth

Management, and Candice Alderson, vice-president and associ-

ate counsel at the Ledcor Group of Companies, a privately owned

company and one of the most diverse conglomerates in North

America.

Purchase your cards today!

(Pre-packaged card sets are available for purchase in the Auxiliary Gift Shop

at BC Children’s Hospital, located in the main lobby.)

2012 HOLIDAY CARDS

Auxiliary to BC Children’s Hospital 2012 holiday cards

are now available.

Visit www.bcchholidaycards.com

to place your order.

For more information please contact Diana Steele at

[email protected] or 604-875-2000 ext. 5393.


For more information on charitable bequests or

to order our Guide to Giving, please contact

the Gift & Estate Planning Team at

[email protected] or 604-875-2444 or 1-888-663-3033.

After retiring from a busy career as an educator, Carol Miller yearned

for something more. “I saw the needs of children and their families, and

volunteering at BC Children’s Hospital was a natural fit.” For over 15 years,

Carol has volunteered with the Auxiliary to BC Children’s Hospital, serving

on its board. She is currently the Auxiliary’s liaison with the hospital

foundation’s Miracle Weekend.

“As a volunteer, I try to make a difference with my

time but I also wanted to make a difference far into

the future. By supporting research at BC Children’s

Hospital with a legacy gift, I am able – in a small way

–to help children.”

Deciding to join the Caring for the Future Society

by naming BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in her will

was easy for Carol. “I’ve seen how illness can devastate a

family,” she says. “If I can assist in any way, I want to do it.”

It was a behind-the-scenes tour of the Child & Family Research

Institute (CFRI), located on the site of BC Children’s Hospital, that

cemented Carol’s decision. “I’m the kind of person who needs to see things

for myself. On the tour, I saw and heard first-hand from the researchers

the relationship between our on-site research facility and bedside care.

Research into childhood diseases is their passion and boy, did it show.”

The tour showed Carol exactly where she wanted her legacy gift to

go. “When you’re thinking of making this type of gift, you want to know it

will have an impact – research makes a difference. BC Children’s Hospital

and CFRI have some of the best researchers in the world and their success

means fewer children suffering from devastating diseases.”

Once Carol had narrowed the focus of her legacy gift to research, the

rest was simple. “It was an easy process and I had complete control. The

foundation’s staff helped me find just the right wording to fulfil my wishes

and then I visited my lawyer to revise my will,” says Carol.

Supporting a cause so close to her heart is extremely rewarding for

Carol. “To be able to use my money to change lives is a privilege. Nothing

gives me more pleasure than knowing I’ll be making a difference to children

long after I am gone.”

caring for the future

A legacy gift that comes straight from the heart

healthy habits

There are different schools of thought sur-

rounding the flu vaccine. Many parents have

questions about the vaccination and whether it

is right for their family. Here are the answers to

some of the most common questions about the

flu vaccine.

WHAT IS INFLUENZA? Influenza, also known as the flu, is an infection

of the upper airway (for example, the nose and

throat) caused by the influenza virus. Influenza

spreads from person to person through cough-

ing, sneezing or face-to-face contact. The virus

can also spread when a person touches secre-

tions from a cough or sneeze and then touches

their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their

hands. The flu often comes on suddenly and

commonly causes headache, body chills, cough,

fever, severe tiredness, muscle aches, runny

nose and sore throat. Many of the symptoms

of the flu are similar to the common cold. How-

ever, the symptoms of the flu are more intense

and last much longer than a cold. Children may

also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

WHY SHOULD WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE FLU?Young children and those with weakened

immune systems and chronic illnesses are at

highest risk of developing complications from

the flu. These complications include ear and

sinus infections, bronchitis and more serious

illnesses such as pneumonia. Those in close

contact with people at risk, such as parents

and caregivers, should also protect themselves

from the flu.

It’s the flu season. Here are a few tips on protecting your child from the flu and preventing them from catching it.

by Alissa Collingridge, MN, NP (Pediatric), Susan Shumay, MSN, NP (Family) from the Nurse Practitioner Child & Youth Primary Care Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital

The Flu Shot: The What, the Why and the Who



WHO SHOULD GET THE FLU SHOT?The flu shot protects against viruses that cause

influenza. Annual flu vaccines are encouraged

for everyone and particularly those at higher

risk of flu complications. There’s a new flu shot

each year because the virus that causes the flu

changes or mutates each year. This year, the flu

shot is free for children ages six months to five

years old. Those in close contact with people at

risk should also be vaccinated. Older children

with certain health conditions and the people

who are closest to them can also receive a free

influenza vaccine. BC residents who are not

eligible for a free flu shot can still receive the

influenza vaccine for a fee.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS AN EGG ALLERGY?The influenza vaccine may contain trace

amounts of egg protein. The Canadian Pediat-

ric Society (CPS) states that the vaccine is safe

for people with a mild egg allergy (i.e. mild

gastrointestinal or mild local skin reaction, can

tolerate ingestion of small amounts of egg, or

have a positive skin/specific immunoglobulin

E (IgE) test to egg without known exposure to

egg). The CPS recommends that in these cir-

cumstances, the vaccine be given in a setting

equipped to manage anaphylaxis. If you sus-

pect or know that your child has an egg allergy,

please speak with your primary care provider

regarding the flu vaccine.

WHERE CAN MY CHILD GET THE FLU SHOT?To find the nearest flu shot clinic and/or to find

out who is eligible to receive the vaccine for free,

visit Immunize BC’s Flu Clinic Locator online at

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/flu/ or call Health-

LinkBC at 8-1-1.

For more information visit: BC Centre for Disease Control www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_f/Flu/default.htm

Canadian Pediatric Society www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/influenza-vaccines-in-children-with-egg-allergy

HealthLinkBC www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile12d.stm

Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iif-vcg/index-eng.php

Test your flu shot

knowledge

1. The composition of the flu shot remains the same year to year.a) True b) False

2. If you have received the flu shot last year you don’t need to get one again this year. a) True b) False

3. Children and people with weakened immune systems and/or chronic health conditions are at highest risk of contracting the flu.a) True b) False

Answers: 1b; 2b; 3a.

REMEMBER: Washing your hands is still one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the flu.

For more information visit: BC Centre for Disease Control www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_f/Flu/default.htm

Canadian Pediatric Society www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/influenza-vaccines-in-children-with-egg-allergy

HealthLinkBC www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile12d.stm

Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iif-vcg/index-eng.php

BEHIND THE STETHOSCOPEI am a pediatric nephrologist. As a clinician, I especially

enjoy working with children and youth with chronic kidney

disease and their families. I specialize in the care of children

with diseases that are mediated by the dysfunction of the

immune system. I have had the privilege of experiencing

first-hand the discovery of new diagnostic tests, drugs and

biological therapies that have revolutionized treatment and

outcomes for many of the kidney diseases that affect our

patients. I also find it extremely rewarding to teach and

mentor young pediatricians who have chosen to specialize

in the field of nephrology.

MEDICAL TRAININGMedical school - McMaster University

Pediatric residency - McGill University

Subspecialty training in Pediatric Nephrology - University

of Minnesota

WHY I BECAME A DOCTOR Midway through an undergraduate degree in Biology, I real-

ized that medicine was the ideal profession and every day I

consider myself lucky to have been one of the chosen ones.

For me, being a physician is both a hobby and a profession.

The opportunity to develop close partnerships with patients

and their families, to be entrusted to help them make dif-

ficult health-care decisions, to be able to pursue scientific

questions, to serve as a teacher and mentor, to work with

amazing colleagues in multidisciplinary teams, to think

locally and globally, and to believe that you really can make

the world a better place are unique opportunities for us.

WHAT YOU’D NEVER KNOW ABOUT MEFor the past 20 years my husband Patrick, son Jamie and I

have been “recharged” by regular trips to our camp in the

high peak region of the Adirondack Park near Lake Placid.

This place is my utopia. On another note, I spent six months

in Africa after my residency and I continue to be intrigued by

the culture and involved with the medicine in East Africa.

HOBBIESI enjoy working hard but I need to balance this with some

hard play. As a result, I have always been active in sports.

My true leisure time is most likely spent skiing, hiking, play-

ing squash, or walking our English cocker spaniel, Porter.

I love being mom to our 20-year-old son (a role that will

never end; it just evolves) and catching up with friends and

family.

SECRET FANTASYI think my endorphins are highest when I am physically

challenged in the great outdoors and I have a secret fantasy

of being an elite athlete, perhaps a high-altitude mountain

climber or a skier on the world cup circuit.

IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORKI am not sure that I would completely give up medicine –

it’s too much fun – but I would allow much more time for

current and new hobbies. I would travel more, spend more

time with friends, take interesting classes, become more

involved in global health and get more exercise.

PHILOSOPHYFollow your dreams, pursue things that you are passionate

about, strive for excellence, believe that life’s disappoint-

ments usually bring new and perhaps even more rewarding

opportunities.

WHAT I’M READING NOWEverything I can about living in British Columbia and

navigating the intriguing and complex web of practising

academic pediatric medicine in this province.


Dr. Allison Eddy CHIEF OF PEDIATRIC MEDICINE

what’s up, doc?


Do you have a story about BC Children’s

Hospital to tell? Please submit your Miracle

Kid stories to [email protected].

Dear Children’s Hospital,

Ever since I had open-heart surgery when I was

nine, I’ve wanted to help the hospital continue

to keep kids healthy and get them back to

normal. A month after I left the hospital, I

started fundraising by doing presentations to raise

awareness of congenital heart defects. I raised

$1,200 from four presentations I did. I helped

raise so much more this year by being the child

ambassador for the CN Miracle Match. It was

a lot of fun. I was very happy to be giving back

even more to the hospital after all that the staff

have done for me! I’m so happy that the hospital

will have more money to fund research, training

and equipment for the kids in BC.

Natasha

Dear Children’s Hospital . . .Fifteen-year-old Natasha Feuchuk, BC Children’s Hospital’s

CN Miracle Match Ambassador, shares what it means to

give back to the hospital for saving her life.

Thanks to Natasha and the generosity of thousands of

individuals and community groups across the province,

a total of $1.8 million was raised last summer through the

CN Miracle Match program in support of the hospital’s

Excellence in Child Health Fund.

children speak

PM 40659514

You can create a lasting legacy of lovefor all of BC’s children.

Small PatientsGreat Needs

www.bcchf.ca

It is a magical thing to know that a decisionyou make today could save the life of a child 20 years or more from now. But that’s what happens when you include BC Children’sHospital Foundation in your estate plans.

When you leave a bequest in your will to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, you help to build a brighter and healthier future for BC’s kids.

For more information or to let us know you have made a gift through your estate, please contact the Gift & Estate Planning team at 1-888-663-3033 or [email protected].

speaking of children, fall 2012

Documents

new hospital

hospital areas

healing foundation

healing aspect

auxiliary team

work of art

soulthe auxiliary

raisedthe auxiliary