Rachel - Handle with care

This morning Rachel was beaming as I dropped her off for the first day of school.

I watched as she ran off with excitement to greet her classmates. As the father of a sweet little girl whose heart is very fragile, this was a moment of great pride, but also of dread.

Rachel was born with a broken heart, a defect known as Tricuspid Atresia. All her life, just one of her two ventricles has worked, pumping blood to her heart and lungs, but starving the rest of her body of oxygen-rich blood.

It’s a scary thing we live with every day.

I still remember the first time we met with cardiologist, Dr. Tiscar Cavalle-Garrido. She told us that our toddler would need several risky surgeries for the rest of her body to get the blood it needs. If these surgeries were to fail, the only option left would be for Rachel to undergo a perilous heart-lung transplant.

As you can imagine, we felt our lives were spiraling out of control…

Thanks to the miracle hands of cardiac surgeon, Dr. Christo Tchervenkov, and to everyone at the Children’s, Rachel has been given a chance at life. Thankfully you’ve been there, too.

Unless you see the scar on her upper chest, you would think Rachel is a healthy child. But there’s always a risk though of a stroke or a heart attack. Yes, a heart attack. At 7 years old…

To this day, it’s still hard for me to find the right balance between being protective of her without obsessively monitoring her every move.

We let Rachel be a kid as best we can but she is limited in what she can do: she can run, but not for long distances. She can swim but cannot overexert herself. But when she does, her face starts to turn blue. We can hear her struggling to breathe. It gets scary. As she grows older, she is better at listening to what her body is trying to tell her…

But I can say without a doubt that Rachel wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Children’s.

Over the years, we’ve been seen by almost every department in the hospital. Last year alone, we spent at least the equivalent of 2 months there. The Children’s doesn’t feel like a sterile hospital, it feels like home.

You care deeply for the Children’s and its young patients. This is why I hope families like mine can count on your generous support.

With my deepest appreciation,

David, proud father of Rachel

P.S. Our daughter has undergone three major heart operations and is being closely monitored by the cardiac team to avoid a heart-lung transplant. The Children’s has become our second home, and you, our extended family. Please renew your support today to help children like Rachel.

Donations

Francesco Reda, $50 – July 18, 2020


Meng Ruo Yang, $100 – April 1, 2019


Anonymous, $150 – March 19, 2019


Anonymous, $250 – January 25, 2019


Anonymous, $50 – January 7, 2019


Li Zhang, $35 – December 30, 2018


Frank Di Ioia, $150 – December 29, 2018


Amir Namdary, $150 – December 29, 2018

«In the memory of my Mom. I hope one day we can eliminate all children's sufferring.»


Richard Arnett, $25 – December 27, 2018


yan soe, $5 – December 26, 2018


Robert Vineberg, $100 – December 25, 2018

«Rachel - You are absolutely incredible and shine beautifully! We are so proud of you! Your strength, courage and love of life is inspiring!

All our love,

Rob, Jody, Talya, Camden, Kentucky, Logan and of course Fergus & Brix too! :)»


Anonymous, $25 – December 20, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – December 18, 2018


Evan Savelson, $50 – December 15, 2018

«With Love, the Savelsons»


Anonymous, $50 – December 11, 2018


yan soe, $5 – December 11, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – December 10, 2018


Anonymous, $20 – December 7, 2018


Reynald Rodrigue, $25 – December 5, 2018


Marina Morsani, $50 – December 4, 2018


Anonymous, $200 – December 3, 2018


Jung Ah Moon, $100 – December 3, 2018

«I am donating in honour of Ewha Woman University Alumnae in Montreal»


Anonymous, $150 – December 3, 2018


Deidre Diome, $100 – December 2, 2018

«'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' If our child was sick or dying, we would hope so desperately that there would be help for treatment and help to find a cure. So tonight my husband and I are sending our love, our strength and a little bit of ohwistha-money to all of the children and families who are in need of some caring.

In Memory of MCH Volunteer Donald Gilbert's little patient.»


Elena Kruger, $25 – December 2, 2018


Marcel Fiola, $50 – December 2, 2018


Anonymous, $50 – December 2, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – December 2, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – December 2, 2018


Richard Raymond, $25 – December 1, 2018


Guylaine Raymond, $100 – December 1, 2018


Saif Ullah, $200 – November 28, 2018

«Muhammad Ismail Ullah»


naomi and richard blumer, $18 – November 28, 2018

«In memory of Irving Silverman, our deepest sympathies to Derek, Rochelle and family on the loss of your beloved father and grandfather

Irving. May his legacy live on in your beautiful family. xoxo, Naomi & Richard and family.»


Anonymous, $50 – November 28, 2018


Isabel Dorion, $200 – November 27, 2018


Louise Landriault, $25 – November 27, 2018


Karol Kolakowski, $200 – November 27, 2018

«I hope this helps a little»


Van Tran, $50 – November 27, 2018

«Our condolences to you and your family»


Sara Gasparello, $25 – November 27, 2018


Alexander Bayus, $750 – November 27, 2018


Simon Margel, $500 – November 26, 2018


Marc Perreault, $100 – November 26, 2018


Jacques Charbonneau, $1,000 – November 26, 2018

«Pour avoir accueilli, soigné, traité, professionnellement et humainement petit Jakob Charbonneau et sa famille.»


Janine West, $100 – November 26, 2018


Socrates Rapagna, $25 – November 26, 2018


Franca Nassivera – November 25, 2018


Joan LeVasseur, $50 – November 25, 2018


Cristian Valean Kurti – November 24, 2018


Briana Di Iorio, $25 – November 23, 2018

«On behalf of a campaign activist project in humanities class at Champlain Regional College; students (Briana, Kathryn, Beatrice, Benjamin and Christopher).»


Anonymous, $50 – November 23, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – November 23, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – November 22, 2018


Anonymous, $150 – November 22, 2018


EXCEL HONDA, $2,000 – November 22, 2018


Jean Aumais, $600 – November 22, 2018

«Pour les services rendus dans ma jeunesse»


Gicleurs Alerte Inc., $500 – November 22, 2018


Marco Ceccarelli, $10,000 – November 21, 2018


MBA Recherche, $250 – November 21, 2018


Yves Clavel, $100 – November 20, 2018


Clyde Aldridge, $50 – November 20, 2018


Anonymous, $50 – November 20, 2018


Natalie Mountain, $100 – November 20, 2018


Nathalie Bergeron, $50 – November 19, 2018


Dimitrios Nicolacopoulos, $50 – November 19, 2018


Christina Ching Yee Fung, $25 – November 18, 2018


sheldon popliger, $50 – November 18, 2018


Michel Bétournay, $100 – November 18, 2018


monique fortier, $35 – November 18, 2018


Patti White – November 17, 2018

«Mary,

With heartfelt sympathy from our family to yours.

Patti, Richard & Tim»


Anonymous, $25 – November 17, 2018


Juliet Tonini, $75 – November 17, 2018


Elizabeth Glucksman, $50 – November 17, 2018


RAPIDO METAL INC., $500 – November 16, 2018


Véronique Taillefer, $20 – November 16, 2018


Lucy and Kathy Riddell and Nikidis, $1,000 – November 16, 2018

«I would like this donation to go to the child life program»


Parkview Management, $72 – November 16, 2018


David Goldbloom, $500 – November 15, 2018

«Alton Goldbloom Lectureship Endowment Fund»


Louise Kilpatrick, $100 – November 15, 2018

«After ten years, mon Frère, you do still shine and smile with your goodness and kindness in our heart, where you will stay forever»


Federal Construction Inc., $2,500 – November 14, 2018


Hélène Asselin, $50 – November 14, 2018


Anonymous, $200 – November 14, 2018


Atif Munaf, $10 – November 12, 2018


Lucia Macro, $75 – November 12, 2018


Franck Amiel, $500 – November 12, 2018


Jean Templeton – November 12, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – November 12, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – November 10, 2018


Patrizia Marsillo, $100 – November 9, 2018


Vassiliki Myrianthis, $50 – November 9, 2018

«In memory of Mr. Dimitri Souranis»


Michael Kim Davidman, $500 – November 9, 2018


Sheldon Azimov, $18 – November 7, 2018


Les Solutions XMedius Inc., $500 – November 7, 2018


Giuseppe Carlone, $100 – November 6, 2018


Caroline Burgess, $400 – November 6, 2018


Jean B Falardeau, $2,500 – November 6, 2018


Anonymous, $20 – November 6, 2018


Laurence Rossitto, $100 – November 5, 2018


Anonymous, $1,000 – November 5, 2018


Anonymous, $500 – November 5, 2018


Diana Ranallo, $25 – November 4, 2018


Anonymous, $200 – November 4, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – November 4, 2018


Anonymous, $300 – November 4, 2018


Carl Thibeault, $50 – November 4, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – November 3, 2018


Makiko Ito, $25 – November 3, 2018


Kevin McVetty, $100 – November 3, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – November 2, 2018


franca naccarato – November 1, 2018


Yan Lu, $50 – November 1, 2018


Anonymous, $50 – November 1, 2018

«wish the best!»


Louyse Gauvin, $100 – October 31, 2018


Allison Jeannette Hustins, $25 – October 31, 2018


Salvatore Tedone, $25 – October 31, 2018


Lataia Lajoie, $300 – October 30, 2018


Francine Chassé – October 30, 2018


Jeffrey Wilkins, $40 – October 30, 2018


Amélie Magnan Bélanger, $50 – October 30, 2018

«Depuis que mon fils aîné a visité l’urgence de l’hôpital à 12 jours de vie, je n’ai jamais cessé de faire confiance à l’équipe du Children’s qui a toujours su se montrer efficace, compétente et empathique.»


Anonymous, $150 – October 30, 2018


luc frappier, $25 – October 30, 2018


Raphael Stein, $36 – October 30, 2018

«You are an inspiration. Wishing you a quick and full recovery !»


Valérie Paiement, $10 – October 29, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – October 29, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – October 29, 2018


Anonymous, $2 – October 29, 2018


Anonymous, $500 – October 28, 2018


Khoshal Barak, $50 – October 26, 2018


Evangeline Evanich, $35 – October 25, 2018

«In memory of our dear Rhona who left us too early.

Her love of children was incredible and she will be missed

by all.

Vange and Myron»


Shoreh Sadat shafai – October 25, 2018


Mary Ficocelli, $50 – October 25, 2018


Anonymous, $150 – October 23, 2018


Anonymous, $25 – October 23, 2018


Marisa Canuto, $25 – October 22, 2018


Anonymous, $10 – October 21, 2018


Anonymous, $200 – October 21, 2018


Anonymous, $100 – October 20, 2018


Paul Albert, $50 – October 19, 2018


François Labrie, $250 – October 19, 2018


David Benjamin, $50 – October 18, 2018


Anonymous, $200 – October 17, 2018


Lawrence Smith, $60 – October 16, 2018


Anita Abramovitch, $36 – October 16, 2018

«We love you and wish you a long and healthy life.»


Cossette, $420 – October 15, 2018


National Bank Independent Network, $250 – October 15, 2018

«Good luck with your campaign Ken, it's a great cause.»


Anonymous, $25 – October 14, 2018


Marie-Eve Beauchamp, $100 – October 13, 2018


Anonymous, $150 – October 13, 2018


Anonymous, $300 – October 11, 2018


Martine Stark, $36 – October 10, 2018


sofy Collin, $100 – October 10, 2018

«collinsofy@gmail.com»


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