A BRIEF GLANCE AT BC CHILDREN S HOSPITAL The current BC Children s Hospital, located on Oak Street in Vancouver, welcomed its first patients in 1982. Since then, the hospital has become a world leader in pediatric patient care, education, research and health promotion, as well as a provincial provider of diagnostic and laboratory services. Teams of caregivers, including doctors, nurses, therapists and other child health professionals provide specialized care for children and youth. Children and their families come from across the province to receive care in areas such as intensive care, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, open-heart surgery, neurosurgery and cancer treatment. Pediatricians and family practitioners consult with specialists at BC Children s Hospital on their most complex and difficult cases. Children s participates in teaching programs with more than a dozen post-secondary institutions across the province and around the world. Through these partnerships, the hospital plays a vital role in the education of health-care professionals from a wide range of disciplines, and in advancing child health research dedicated to improving the lives of children today and for future generations.
Kim Butler and Frankie Rubino Seen here with his nurse, Kim Butler, Frankie Rubino is no stranger to BC Children s Hospital. Frankie was first admitted to the hospital s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after contracting a respiratory virus while undergoing a round of chemotherapy. He has spent over six months in the PICU and celebrated his first birthday on the unit. The PICU at Children s Hospital is the only unit of its kind in the province dedicated to treating critically ill children.
Miguel Catarata It s been said that Miguel Catarata of Port Hardy is one of BC s sickest kids, having undergone more than 200 surgeries and counting. Miguel was born with his aorta wrapped around his windpipe, restricting his breathing. Doctors have operated on Miguel countless times to keep his trachea open and help him breathe. Miguel s mom, Sally, cannot say enough about the amazing team at Children s Hospital that saves Miguel s life on a regular basis.
Dr. Jugpal Arneja Dr. Jugpal Arneja is a pediatric plastic surgeon at BC Children s Hospital. He is one of the hospital s newest recruits, and is among the best in the world for cleft repair. BC Children s Hospital is home to a team of renowned health professionals who save children s lives on a daily basis. Dr. Arneja strongly believes in investing in the place where he works and is proud to be a member of the Children s Circle of Care.
Lindsey Lourenco On a family trip to Portugal in 2007, Lindsey Lourenco, then 13, lost about 11 kilograms in a matter of days. After receiving the devastating news that Lindsey had leukemia, her father, Tony, insisted on bringing Lindsey back to BC Children s Hospital for treatment. After three weeks in an isolation room and several months of chemotherapy at Children s, she finally showed signs of improvement. Lindsey recently underwent a bone marrow transplant and is on her way to winning her battle against cancer. Tony believes his decision to bring his daughter home to BC Children s for treatment was one of the best he s ever made.
OUR MISSION The mission of the Children s Circle of Care is to advance philanthropy through supporting patient care programs, research and the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment. The amazing generosity of British Columbians has provided much-needed funds to ensure the most urgent health-care needs of BC s sick and injured children are met. Donations to BC Children s Hospital Foundation support excellence and innovation in care, treatment and research at BC Children s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and the Child & Family Research Institute. Join us to help create a better world for children. TAKE YOUR PLACE IN THE CIRCLE The Children s Circle of Care is a prestigious program that recognizes the contributions of philanthropic leaders who support children s hospitals throughout North America. Individuals, family foundations or privately held corporations who make an annual gift of $10,000 or more are welcomed into the Circle of Care. When you support BC Children s Hospital by becoming a Circle of Care member, you join more than 6,000 donors from 25 children s hospitals in North America who share your passion for advancing child health.
EXPANDING THE CIRCLE More than 6,000 members from across North America belong to the Children s Circle of Care. Together they have contributed more than $3.8 billion to child health since the circle was established in 1995. Circle of Care membership continues to grow annually as more leading benefactors recognize the importance and phenomenal impact of their collective contributions. You speak for the children who cannot speak, you act for the children who cannot act, and you provide hope where there is no hope. Ming Gin, former BC Children s Hospital Foundation board member & Children s Circle of Care member
A few donors share their motivation behind joining the Children s Circle of Care. Mike and Lisa Hudson For our family, philanthropy is more than giving money. It is a way to teach our children about what is truly valuable, to share the belief that we all have a responsibility to care for and protect one another, and to create a better world with whatever means we have. Charles and Isabelle Diamond Through the Children s Circle of Care we have met amazing physicians and researchers who are saving children s lives on a daily basis. We are incredibly fortunate to have these experts in our province. The circle gives us an opportunity to thank them and to meet others who share our passion for child health. Sylvia Chen There s nothing more important in a family than children. When a child becomes ill, it s very hard on the whole family. This is what motivates me to help. Knowing that children in generations to come will have the care they need is my biggest joy and inspiration.
Colvin and Kade Wong When Colvin Wong celebrated his second birthday, and had not yet spoken his first word, his parents knew something was wrong. In January 2007, doctors at Children s confirmed that Colvin had severe to profound hearing loss in both ears. Today, Colvin wears hearing aids and has undergone cochlear implant surgery at Children s Hospital. He is doing well in school and is catching up on his learning. One of Colvin s favourite things to do is playing with his younger brother, Kade.
The vision and leadership of Circle of Care members make a profound impact on the lives of the sickest and most seriously injured children in the province. We hope you ll consider joining the Children s Circle of Care. Together, we can give the gift of life. BC Children s Hospital Foundation 938 West 28th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 604.875.2444 www.bcchf.ca
Front cover: Ava and Emma Coonfer Ava Coonfer was only 10 weeks old when she developed a blood-filled blister on her eyelid a tumour called a hemangioma that threatened her vision in one eye. At BC Children s Hospital, doctors treated Ava with steroids to reduce the swelling and fitted her with glasses at 11 months old. Ava s parents have come to rely on BC Children s for the type of specialized care that is unavailable anywhere else in the province.