Brady Bobrowich was a healthy, happy baby, when at five months old his parents noticed small spots forming around different areas of his body.

Tests revealed that Brady had Type 1 Neurofibromatosis. This genetic disorder causes tumours to form on tissues in the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

As you can imagine, it was a terrifying diagnosis for Brady’s parents to hear.

For a while there were no other symptoms. But when Brady was six, scoliosis appeared – a curve in his spine. An MRI showed the little boy had a large tumour

growing off his spine into his chest cavity.

By age nine he needed surgery on his spine. Then another tumour grew behind Brady’s left eye.

A rare condition like Brady’s brings with it many questions. Parents Corinne and Brad struggled to know what the future would hold for their child.

But help came in the form of Children’s Hospital’s Dr. Issai Vanan – and specialist programs funded directly by donors like you.

“Dr. Issai Vanan was a godsend to us – he spent hours talking to us about Brady’s condition and treatment options. Brady’s spine surgeon, Dr. Michael Johnson, has also been amazing.”

Staff at Children’s Hospital were there every step of the way for Brady.

“They make you feel like family. Everyone is there to support you no matter how tough things get.”

Corinne believes deeply that Children’s Hospital has made all

the difference to Brady. Now eleven years old, he plays hockey and baseball, and is learning guitar and loves fishing with his dad.

Corinne is sharing his story to let donors like you know that you made it all possible.

“I was unaware before that Manitoba Health does not support all the programs that are being done within the Children’s Hospital. I don’t think the general public know the amount of dollars that come from the Foundation to support these very critical programs, which have changed the lives of so many kids.

For those donors who have put their hard-earned dollars into this Foundation – which has so immensely helped our son – all I can say is Thank you … Thank you … Thank you.”

"Thank you... Thank you... Thank you!"

Brady, right after his surgery

— Corrine, Brady's mom

Brady in

2018 with

his dad

"There are no words to thank supporters enough for giving our son a life in which he can be

as any other 11-year-old."

Teddy NewsTeddy NewsY O U R D O N O R I M P A C T R E P O R T

C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I TA L F O U N DAT I O N O F M A N I TO B A Winter 2019 Vol. 9

You’re Helping Support Critical Research

Teddy News | Page 2

A love of sports and an increase in emergency department admittance at the Children’s Hospital for sports injuries – especially concussions – led Dr. Kelly Russell to focus on pediatric concussion research.

“Concussion is sometimes called the invisible injury, and it’s hard for kids who may not understand why they can’t concentrate, feel dizzy or have a headache, or lights or sounds are bothering them, when they look just fine,” states Dr. Russell. “We want to draw attention to this injury that isn’t so obvious.”

Through your donation to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Dr. Russell’s research at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba is giving a better understanding of pediatric concussions and is resulting in better outcomes for kids.

You made 2018 an amazing year for our patients and families. You helped purchase specialized equipment, provided patient support programs at the Children’s Hospital that brought comfort during difficult times and funded life-saving research at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Thank you!

You made the difference in 2018!

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we’re getting the right kids to the right treatment option in a timely manner, and our research is helping to better understand this,” says Dr. Russell.

There are several things parents can watch for, and one major myth to dispel.

“You do not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion,” says Dr. Russell. “If kids complain about getting a headache, or nausea, or if they vomit that could be a sign. If they stumble and seem dizzy, that could also indicate a concussion. Changes in mood or sleep patterns are also signs and symptoms of a concussion.”

The Pan Am Concussion Program, located at the MTS Iceplex, is the first multi-disciplinary, provincially funded, concussion program that is pediatric specific in all of Canada. It’s just another way your donations are developing leaders in the field.

Your donation to the Children’s Hospital Foundation supports research like Dr. Russell’s that is unravelling the mystery surrounding concussion and allowing kids to safely reap the benefits of sports.

Dr. Kelly Russell with her sons, Kieran Parker (left) and Liam.

Teddy News | Page 3

It takes very special, compassionate people to turn their heartbreak into something positive.

Corinne and Kris Kopansky are those people.

In 2015, tragedy struck the Kopansky family. Their baby girl, Kenzi, died of acute appendicitis at only six months old.

It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Corinne, Kris, and their little boy Aiden were devastated.

But they knew they wanted to remember and honour Kenzi in a special way. And they knew they wanted to do everything they could to help other children like her.

So, on Kenzi’s first birthday the family decided to donate presents she would have received to the Children’s Hospital. They held a street party and a fair in front of their home, and raised $1,000.

“We really didn’t even think about it, we were just doing it and it felt good. It gave us purpose again, and became our new way of ‘parenting’ Kenzi.”

The Kopansky’s decided to donate their money to the ER – where the medical team had worked so hard to keep their little girl alive.

To date, they have raised an amazing $35,000 for the emergency department. And each year their celebration – and their fundraising – gets bigger.

“We decided it would become an annual birthday party. We want to continue to celebrate her life.

Thank you to past, present and future supporters. Kenzi’s legacy is growing, and it’s all because of you! It’s about giving back and helping others, but it’s also about honouring Kenzi. By donating, you show us that you remember our daughter.”

To learn more about Kenzi and this dedicated family’s annual fundraiser, visit www.facebook.com/KeepingKenziClose.

Keeping Kenzi Close

Thank you to past, present and future supporters.

CE501-840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1S1 Tel: (204) 953-KIDS (5437) Toll-free: 1-866-953-KIDS (5437) www.goodbear.ca Join us on:

His name is Noname. He lives here at the hospital. He’s been “treating” sick kids since the early 1980’s.

If you haven’t visited the hospital very often you may not know him. But this blue and red hand puppet has helped many a sick child feel better over the years.

The star of Children’s Hospital’s own TV station (CHTV), Noname helps alleviate the stress and anxiety of the kids here in the wards during his one-hour daily stint, “The Good Day Show.”

CHTV was the first of its kind in Canada and it is funded through the help of supporters just like you. It includes programming specific to young children and adolescents.

“The Good Day Show” is produced by a rotating team of dedicated child life specialists and volunteers. Sometimes our young patients themselves are involved in the tapings. In an environment that comes with its fair share of uncertainty and anxiety (and let’s be honest – plain old boredom) CHTV and Noname are a welcome diversion.

It truly is a case of laughter and love being the very best medicine. Thank you for giving our kids both!

Noname and You Help Provide Laughter and Love

Grateful Quotes

“They work so hard to have fun things happening, and to keep the kids distracted

from the realities of the hospital. It felt like family. It feels good to give back.”

– Nadine, Koby’s mom

“We are grateful to the Foundation donors for paying for our parking when our daughter fought cancer.”

– Mom, Meredith CH

FM19

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Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 25, 2019 – Saturday, April 27, 2019,

at St. Vital Centre

Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Assiniboine Park

“You have no idea how much your support can

help kids like me — thank you.”– Brianne, Age 10