It’s the first day of summer! Bike rides, dips in the pool, campfires… it’s a time for kids to be kids. But for many families at Sainte-Justine, these precious childhood memories are clouded by long stays in the hospital, multiple follow-up appointments, invasive treatments and the corresponding emotional fallout. Today marks the launch of the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation’s new fundraising campaign, asking people across the province to give generously to help children and families in this situation this summer.
The theme of the campaign is based on a song written by Pierre F. Brault (L’été c’est fait pour jouer) and popularized by the children’s TV program Passe-Partout. It contrasts the joys of childhood during the summer months with the realities experienced by the young patients of Sainte-Justine.
Summer should be about playing and having fun under the sun. Your gift will help support families who won’t be able to enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Be there for young patients throughout the year by signing up as a monthly donor. Monthly donations are the best way to help the families of Sainte-Justine, which is why one of the Foundation’s generous donors, Pierre Thabet, has pledged to personally match all new monthly gifts for the next 12 months, up to a total of $50,000.
I hope my donation catches on and encourages individuals and businesses alike to contribute as well. You don’t lose anything when you give — in fact, you gain a stronger community.
For kids like Romy Jade
Romy Jade has been doing much better in the last three years. She was born with a condition known as hydronephrosis, which meant her urinary tract hadn’t developed the way it should. She spent a lot of time at Sainte-Justine the first few years of her life, as doctors kept a close eye on her kidneys – one of them in particular. By the time she was three years old, her condition had deteriorated, to the point where they were considering a transplant. Further investigation, however, revealed that surgery would not be necessary at that point. Today, she is eight years old. Her stronger kidney does most of the work, but otherwise she is doing well. She may eventually need dialysis and even a transplant, but until then she is making the most of her childhood years. Her one restriction is that her sodium intake has to be controlled. (So no poutine!) But there are lots of other low-salt treats Romy Jade can enjoy.
Romy Jade is all too familiar with Sainte-Justine and what it is to be sick. Her sister, Charlie-Ann, is also seen regularly at the hospital for her severe asthma. This summer, Romy Jade is proud to do her part to support Sainte-Justine and to help all kids (herself and her sister included) be kids!
Our children’s future starts at Sainte-Justine
As the world slowly lifts itself out of the global health crisis, a true revolution in pediatric medicine is taking shape — a revolution in which Sainte-Justine is poised to be a key player. The opportunities at hand have the power to transform pediatric health care, and it is critical that efforts be redoubled to help children and families struck by illness.
Sainte-Justine has depended on the support of an engaged community for more than a century now. Donations have a huge impact on its capacity to advance research, train a veritable army of healthcare professionals and researchers from a broad range of disciplines, and maximize the quality of care provided to children across Quebec.
Learn more about what your donations do:
Our generous partners
The campaign will run from June 21 to August 22 and will include TV and radio spots, billboards, and print and social media ads. Creative contributors include Télé-Québec, Les Éditions P.F.B., SOCAN, Simon Godin, Médialliance, La Guérilla, Grande Camera, Studios & Lighting, SHED, Rythme FM, Geneviève Giguère and a number of generous media partners.
Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in the lives of the children of Sainte-Justine this summer.
Read the press release to find out more.
*Up to a total of $50,000.
