SPRING 2014
New
Edwards
Family
N ICU
now open!
Three-month-old Keaton Seiler had no
idea what the big fuss was about. In fact,
he slept soundly through much of the
excitement around relocating him, his
hi-tech incubator and connecting tubes
and monitors into Calgary’s newest and
most advanced Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit located on the 4th floor of the
Alberta Children’s Hospital.
...more inside
While Keaton sleeps, his mom, Aaron and
unit manager, Norma Oliver, get him cozy
with his favorite stuffed toys and a special
commemorative blanket lovingly made for all
the NICU babies by Norma herself!
“We look forward to
seeing how this new unit
enhances care for these
young patients, and helps
create an environment that
is better for staff and less
stressful for families.”
- Heather Edwards
O
n February 26, tiny Keaton and a
convoy of seven other babies were
carefully moved from the temporary NICU
on our hospital’s main floor into the newly
completed Edwards Family NICU - named
in recognition of a generous $5-million gift
from local philanthropists, Heather and
N. Murray Edwards. The new unit now
operates as a “Level 3” NICU with 14 beds
and is equipped to care for some of the
most critically-ill newborns in southern
Alberta.
“The Alberta Children’s Hospital saved our
baby’s life,” says his mom, Aaron. “When he
was born, Keaton only weighed one pound
12 ounces and was suffering from a tear in
his bowel.”
Over the course of three operations,
surgeons were able to repair Keaton’s
intestine and the NICU team helped
support a five-pound weight gain and the
development of his lungs and other vital
organs.
“We are so grateful for the incredible care
we’ve received,” says Aaron. “The fact that
we’re now in a quiet single room with a big
window and a place for my husband or me
to rest is beyond what we could have asked
for. Hopefully, Keaton will be big enough to
come home soon, but until then, this new
unit is really quite incredible.”
E
arlier in February, the Edwards family got
a sneak peek of the unit and celebrated
the NICU opening with representatives
from the Government of Alberta, Alberta
Health Services and members of the NICU
and hospital management teams.
“It is such a privilege to be able to help
families and their newborn babies in this
way,” said Heather Edwards. “This is very
personal for us, stemming from our own
experience with our son who needed
neonatal intensive care when he was born
eight weeks early. We look forward to
seeing how this new unit enhances care for
these young patients, and helps create an
environment that is better for staff and less
stressful for families.”
With access to the very best intensive care
possible, the new unit will reduce patient
transfers between hospitals and increase
capacity to offer highly-trained pediatric
specialists to care for critically-ill newborns.
In addition to supporting the new NICU,
the Edwards donation helped to fund
specialized NICU equipment for Foothills
Medical Centre and Rockyview General
Hospital. As well, the gift helped to create
the temporary NICU at the Alberta
Children’s Hospital which provided
intensive care for more than 340 newborns
– including Keaton - while construction of
the permanent NICU was underway.
“We are so grateful to the Edwards family,
the province, Alberta Health Services, and
everyone involved in building this special
unit,” says Saifa Koonar, President and
CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital
Foundation. “The Edwards Family NICU
gives families an incredible place to turn
to when the joy of their baby’s birth is
mixed with the worry and uncertainty of
illness. Our hope is that with help from the
amazing NICU specialists at our hospital, all
those babies can grow up to live healthy,
happy lives.”
New Study
to Help
Struggling
Teens
Dr. Frank MacMaster (right) is studying the impact of
aerobic exercise on the hippocampus with Shannon
Doram, YMCA (middle) and U of C grad student,
Allegra Courtright.
Feeling worried about a teenager who seems unusually sad or
tired? Someone who may be having trouble concentrating at
school, is becoming increasingly isolated or who is no longer
enjoying the things he or she used to? Recruitment is underway
for a new research study that may be able to help.
S
cientists at the Alberta Children’s
Hospital and the University of Calgary
are teaming up with YMCA Calgary to
study the effect of intensive aerobic activity
on brain plasticity and as a potential new
therapy for depression in adolescents.
Dr. Frank MacMaster, holder of the
Cuthbertson & Fischer Chair in Pediatric
Mental Health, is leading the pilot study - a
first of its kind in Canada. His research team
will work with certified fitness professionals
at the YMCA to examine the effect of
exercise on the hippocampus – an area of
the brain responsible for learning, memory
and regulating a person’s response to stress.
Research has shown that the size of the
hippocampus is smaller in people suffering
from depression than in those who are not.
This pilot will examine whether exercise
can increase the size and health of the
hippocampus, and consequently reduce
depressive symptoms.
“Depression is a major public health
problem which often begins in adolescence,”
says Dr. MacMaster who is a researcher
with the university’s Alberta Children’s
Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss
Brain Institute. “About 15 percent of
teenagers will suffer a major depressive
episode. It seriously affects young people’s
abilities to function within their families, with
their friends and at school, and is a major
risk factor for suicide – a leading cause of
death in adolescents and young adults. Since
existing treatments are effective in only half
of people who receive them, there is a
crucial need for new therapies.”
Scientists have been working for decades on
how to repair the hippocampus. Studies in
animals have shown that intensive exercise
strengthens the hippocampus by re-growing
and strengthening neuronal connections.
This study will look at whether there are
similar benefits for young people.
“I am so pleased that YMCA Calgary has
the opportunity to participate in such an
innovative partnership,” says Shannon
Doram, VP Health and Wellness for
YMCA Calgary. “The collaborative effort
of academic and recreation experts brings
tremendous opportunity to advance
community-based solutions for adolescents
managing depression.”
“Knowing that mental health issues are
among the biggest health problems facing
children and young people in Canada today,
it’s essential that we all work together to find
more ways to help those who are suffering,”
says Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of the
Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“We’re pleased that this project will unite
researchers, youth-serving organizations like
the YMCA and our generous community
in creating new options and new hope for
families.”
Dr. MacMaster and his team are looking
for study participants between the ages of
16 and 18 years old to engage in a safe,
specially-structured exercise protocol that
will take place at the Saddletowne YMCA.
An important component of the pilot
involves neuroimaging of the hippocampus
using the community-funded 3T MRI at
the Alberta Children’s Hospital. This will be
carried out pre- and post-exercise.
The pilot study will involve 30 teenagers
suffering mild to moderate depressive
symptoms who have not received treatment
for their condition. A referral from a
physician is not required. Their privacy will
be protected and participation is voluntary,
with the option for teens to withdraw at
any time if they so desire.
Recruitment is
now underway!
To see a video and find more info
about this study, please visit
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/brainkids
If you have further questions, or are
interested in participating, please
contact [email protected]
Hockey Marathon for the Kids
Chestermere Arena - May 4 - 14, 2014
What’s more incredible than 40 businessmen playing hockey
for ten straight days to break a world record? How about 40
businessmen planning to break the record AGAIN… all to
help sick children in our community.
T
wo years ago, after an exhausting 246
hours on the ice, the Hockey Marathon
for the Kids successfully raised $1.5 million
for the Alberta Children’s Hospital to help
fight childhood cancer. This time around,
they’re lacing up their skates to help kids
with injury and illness of the brain.
attachment – on who kids grow up to
be. Remarkably, during childhood there is
a window of opportunity in which brain
plasticity can be optimized, potentially
helping children’s brains adapt - even rewire
and repair themselves - if appropriate
therapies are developed and applied.
From May 4th to 14th, “Team Hope” and
“Team Cure” will face off again with the
goal of setting a new world record and
raising $2 million for the Alberta Children’s
Hospital Foundation.
Knowing this, the Hockey Marathon for
the Kids organizers decided to support the
Alberta Children’s Hospital in one of their
highest priorities, Brain Health.
Because who we are
starts with the brain
Brain-related health issues affect tens of
thousands of children in Alberta. Whether
they are neurologic or mental health in
nature, brain disorders can have serious
effects on children that can be life-long.
Damage to the brain while it is developing
can have an impact on vision, speech,
motor development, emotion and social
For decades, surgery or autopsy were
the only ways to obtain insights into the
anatomy of the brain. As a result, scientific
knowledge about the brain – especially the
child brain – is fairly rudimentary compared
to other organs of the body. Over the past
few years, generous community donations
have helped the Alberta Children’s Hospital
acquire state-of-the-art technology and add
internationally-recognized experts to our
already strong Brain Health team.Today, our
hospital is poised to make a global impact in
this crucial field.
Funds raised through the 2014 Hockey
Marathon for the Kids will help to fund more
and better ways of helping the thousands of
kids each year with brain related disorders,
including:
ƒƒ Epilepsy,
ƒƒ Pediatric stroke,
ƒƒ Severe traumatic brain injury,
ƒƒ Concussion,
ƒƒ Neurodevelopmental disorders like
autism and attention deficit disorders
(ADD/ADHD), and
ƒƒ Mental health disorders like anxiety
and depression.
By teaming up with the Alberta Children’s
Hospital Foundation, the dedicated players
of the 2014 Hockey Marathon for the Kids
are hoping to help the hospital reach their
goal of offering nation-leading care and
providing new therapies which can minimize,
prevent and even reverse the damaging
effects of brain-related impairments and
disease – helping thousands of kids in the
community and around the world.
For additional information or to sponsor or support the event please visit www.hockeymarathon.com.
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca
For more information about leaving a gift
in your Will, please visit our website
and click on How to Help
then Legacy Gifts.
A Helping
Legacy
A
gnes Cooke was raised on a farm in
Elfros, Saskatchewan during the Great
Depression. At an early age, her parents
instilled in her the value of helping those in
need. “Mom would often make sandwiches
for the hobos who would show up at
our door,” says Agnes. “If a neighbor was
struggling to get a crop off in time, my Dad
wouldn’t hesitate to help them. That’s just
how it was back then. You were happy to
help each other.”
That principle has guided Agnes
throughout her life. After finishing
her nursing degree, Agnes worked in
hospital wards and operating rooms from
BC to Saskatchewan. She thrived helping
patients return to full health and made lifelong friends with her nursing colleagues. One
particular patient, Don, had returned from
the war and was recovering in Saskatoon
General Hospital. “He had a severe case of
hospitalitis,” laughs Agnes. “He was having
way too much fun with the nurses - he
didn’t want to leave!”
Don and Agnes married in 1950 and settled
in Calgary in 1952 where Don began a
very successful career as a geologist. They
raised three children and enjoyed a long,
happy marriage until Don’s passing in 2003.
“Don was a wonderful provider for our
family,” says Agnes. “I was very blessed and
knew that I had the opportunity to help
others with the legacy he had established.”
Agnes created a family foundation with
which she has supported many initiatives
close to her heart. Her interest in the
developing brain and stem cell research
led her to make significant donations to
the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation
as well as a gift in her Will. “I really believe
there are important answers we are yet to
discover,” she says. “It’s gratifying to know
that I’m helping researchers find cures for
children now and in the future.”
Agnes would encourage everyone to
think of others when making their estate
arrangements. “Leaving a gift - large or small
- in your Will is something you can do quite
easily. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’re
helping others. My parents taught me that
years ago and it still holds true today.”
Join us for a relaxing afternoon
featuring fine teas and refreshments.
Hear first-hand how your support
could make a big difference for
kids in our community.
Hope
Family of
Tea
Monday, May 26, 2014
Tea & Program 2:00 pm
Hospital Tours 3:00 pm
4th Floor
Alberta Children’s Hospital
2888 Shaganappi Trail NW
To reserve your space,
please RSVP by May 20th to
Heather at 403-955-8847 or
[email protected].
ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
LEADING THE WAY IN...
Therapeutic Play
More than fun and games
6-year-old Joey Meier shows off his
finished syringe painting masterpiece
with his mom, Kristin.
Drawing the paint into the syringe.
Cathy looks on as the fun begins.
Relaxing with a popsicle!
Imagine being the parent of a child with a life-threatening condition
for which the only chance of survival is weekly medication
injections. Now imagine, not only the heartache of the diagnosis,
but the sadness of putting him through treatment that so terrifies
him, he vomits from the fear.
T
wo years ago, this was life for Kristin
and Joe Meier and their four-year-old
son, Joey who had been diagnosed with
Systemic Scleroderma, an auto-immune
disease in which the immune system
mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy
body tissue including vital organs like the
heart, lungs and liver.
With continued support from the
community, we can provide nationOnce a month, he spends a long day at the leading expertise in:
colourful masterpiece which now hangs in
his parents’ bedroom!
hospital in Medical Day Treatment getting
medications through an IV. For Joey, his fear
of “pokes” has been replaced by excitement
to play Xbox at the hospital and eat as many
popsicles as he wants. “The hospital is fun. I
get lots of stickers every time I go,” he says.
For Joey, his disease primarily affected his
esophagus and small intestine. A regimen
of seven medications
keeps his symptoms under
“The Therapeutic
control, but unfortunately,
Play program has
some must be given by
made a world of
injection - a frightening
prospect for a little boy.
difference for our
Since Joey will rely on
medication for the rest
of his life, his parents are
extremely grateful for the
support they received
as they came to terms
with Joey’s diagnosis and
medication requirements.
Thanks to community
entire family.”
support, the Alberta
- Kristin Meier, Joey’s mom
“This program has made a
Children’s Hospital offers
world of difference for our
an extensive Therapeutic Play program to
entire
family,
”
says
Kristin. “The team has
help kids like Joey work through their fears.
helped Joey adjust extremely well to a really
“We work with families and kids to make difficult situation. We’re so proud of Joey for
medical equipment and instruments non- conquering his fears!”
threatening for them,” says Child Life
Specialist, Cathy Smith. “Kids don’t always Every day, the Child Life team at the
know how to tell you what they’re feeling. Alberta Children’s Hospital is finding new
Through play, they can express themselves and creative ways to incorporate therapy
more freely and that helps them to heal, not into play activities for more and more kids.
only medically, but emotionally and mentally, “For the most part, they don’t even know
they’re receiving therapy,” says Cathy with
as well.”
a grin. “They just think they’re having fun!”
With help from Cathy, over time Joey has
become more comfortable with needles...
even filling syringes with paint to create a
ART THERAPY
MUSIC THERAPY
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
CHILD LIFE THERAPY
and
FAMILY-CENTRED CARE
PROGRAMS
If you are inspired to support these
important initiatives, please visit
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca
and click
“DONATE NOW”
APRIL 22 - MAY 4...... Pizza 73 Slices for Smiles Campaign
APRIL 28 - JUNE 1..... Costco Balloon Icon Campaign
MAY 1 - 31................... ATB Teddy for a Toonie Campaign
MAY 15 - JUNE 8........ Walmart Balloon Icon Campaign
MAY 4 - 14................... Hockey Marathon for the Kids
www.hockeymarathon.com
JUNE 1 - 30................. TD Automated Monthly Donor Campaign
JUNE 8......................... Walk for Miracles presented by Walmart
www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca
JUNE 15 - JULY 14...... KFC Campaign
JUNE 17....................... Candy Cane Gala goes on sale!
www.candycanegala.com
JUNE 18....................... Sunshine Bubble Ball featuring The Tenors
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/sunshine_gala
JUNE 27....................... ECL Choppers for Charity
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/2014_ECL
JULY 5.......................... Chinook Centre Stampede Breakfast
AUGUST 14................ DQ Miracle Treat Day
AUGUST 23................ Sears Great Canadian Run - Calgary to Camp Kindle
www.therun.ca
SEPTEMBER 17.......... Nordstrom Opening Gala
OCTOBER 5.........................RE/MAX Family Fun Day
OCTOBER 11............. Blue Grass Pumpkin Festival
www.bluegrassnursery.com
OCTOBER 17............. Building Hope for Kids - A Night in Tokyo
www.buildinghopeforkids.com
WATCH YOUR MAILBOX!
The Kinsmen Lotto for the Alberta Children’s Hospital
launches May 12, 2014!
Lottery licence - 377536
Return undeliverable Canadian address to:
2888 Shaganappi Trail NW
Calgary, AB T3B 6A8