Sick Kids Foundation

The Sick Kids Foundation is the largest provider of grants for children's health in Canada. Tonight Melodina spoke at a thank you event to recognize people who organized community events and raised over $50,000.00 for the Foundation. The following is a copy of her speech.

"The French poet Anitoli France once said, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” Most battles need not be fought with weaponry. Just over a year ago I was diagnosed with Heptasplenic Gamma/Delta Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma with an underlying condition called Haemophagocytic (hemo-fag-o-cytic) Lymphohistiocytosis (lim-fo-his-tee-o-cy-toe-sis), more commonly known as HLH. Ten months ago I received a Bone Marrow Transplant. I have fought many battles and like many of you, I’m sure, am still fighting my war. You are here because you wish to win the war against childhood illness or perhaps something else in your hearts. Every single day here, both doctors and patients fight their battles to get to their goals of winning their wars.

"Without the outstanding people sitting in front of me today, this would not be possible. The funds that you provide the foundation allow it, and because of this we can touch so many. My father cycled in the Sears Kid’s Cancer Ride fundraiser, people we barely know, and even some people we’ve never met, through our friends, were donating funds that can make patient life better. Doctor Sheila Weitzman of Oncology and Haematology was able to diagnose my cancer, of which I am one of the first seventy five documented cases, was able to come up with the diagnosis because of the funds donated for research. We should be extremely thankful that these donations give us the funds to have some of the top researchers in the world and keep them to keep improving patient life.

"John Dewey, the philosopher said, “Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.” So why not imagine a better, easier way to improve patient life. All of you have been touched by Sick Kids, whether through the perspective of a patient, a parent, a friend, a family member or some other way. I have been inspired to use my upcoming eighteenth birthday as a fundraiser and continue with annual fundraisers in the following years.

"Remember, “Impossibility is nothing, but nothing is impossible.” Without your donations we would not be where we are today. From the bottom of my heart, and the hearts of many other children and their families, thank you. You truly are extraordinary individuals."