Why I Am Supporting the Walk For SickKids

Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk for SickKids #WalkForSickKids

When I was growing up, in my last year of high school, I spent a summer volunteering in a neonatal clinic. I was in awe of all of the babies who were fighting and thriving under the amazing care of nurses and doctors I looked up to.  I saw the parents who came every hour, every night and every shift of medical staff to care for their children, talk to doctors about the day their son or daughter would be released.  As a young student at the time, I remember translating for a young couple asking about the health of their child and I thought I couldn’t ever imagine being in their shoes.

What doctors and nurses do for children who are in critical need of medical help is simply inspiring.

I am proud to announce that masalamommas and my family is supporting The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk this fall.  Whether you have been personally affected by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) or have met families who have had their children their as patients, I encourage you to support and take part in this walk on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Register today HERE.

photo credit: Walk for Sick Kids instagram

Now in its fourth year, The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk is a camp-themed walk to benefit The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). This 20km family friendly walk is perfect for any age with different campsites every 5km – challenge yourself to see what the next 5km has in store!

Today, I’m a mother and I am fortunate I haven’t had to use the services of SickKids in the way others have. I did have an incident when my daughter was two years old and we were sent to SickKids emergency dental service by a friend who was a dentist. My daughter had fallen, broken a tooth and doctors believed she’d ingested it or it was now in her lungs. It was very scary to be told by SickKids staff that if the tooth was in her lungs, she would need surgery. Thankfully the tooth wasn’t there and the staff at SickKids spent so much time with daughter and with us to talk us through the experience while we were there.

As a former TV journalist, I’ve covered some of the amazing research at SickKids, everything from the gene associated with epilepsy to childhood cancer. Each time, researchers at SickKids raise the bar, tackling bigger problems with innovative solutions.

So many parents have gone to the Hospital for SickKids with fear of the unknown and have come back with a sense of relief in hearts. Life is unpredictable and staff at Sick Kids know what that means in the ER. For me personally, it’s a relief to know the services of SickKids is right here at home and available for any parent who needs it.

As South Asians, we know that ‘Seva’ is a word that means ‘selfless giving’ and many of us don’t necessarily give back as often as we should.

Taking part in the this walk is an easy way to make a difference. It’s also an activity that you can do with your whole family.

Here’s more on why you should:

Where Your Money Goes

All funds raised through The Great Camp Adventure Walk go toward the highest priority needs at the Hospital, what we call unrestricted giving.

With your unrestricted donation, you’re giving SickKids flexibility – because unrestricted gifts can be deployed in the areas of most promise, or most need, at speed. Whether it’s funding research, clinical advances, or compassionate care, this is the best way for donors to assure the best possible outcomes for kids, now and in the future.

To learn more about your impact, click here.

About SickKids

• SickKids treats more than 100,000 patients every year
• It is Canada’s leading centre dedicated to improving children’s health and home to Canada’s largest, hospital-based child health research institute
• There are more than 10,000 staff and volunteers, and 2,000 of those people are dedicated to working in paediatric health research
• SickKids Foundation is the largest funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada, next to the government

Photo credit: Walk for SickKids Facebook page

For the walk:

• Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves to walk 20km (options of 5km, 10km, and 15km as well) with stops at different campsites along the way. There will be games, activities, food, beverages, entertainment and restrooms at each stop

• The Great Camp Adventure Walk is family friendly and perfect for any age.  We encourage strollers and allow teams to bring their well-behaved dogs with them

This summer join my family and I to support  the Great Camp Adventure walk on September 24th. Register today at http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/walkforsickkids

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