A warm but brisk Autumn afternoon, while waiting for my daughter to exit school at her 3:15 p.m. dismissal, a common occurrence took place before my eyes. Across the street at the IWK Health Centre, the life flight helicopter approached and landed. Even with the busy traffic of cars, trucks and transit buses, the sound of the helicopter's approach was blaring and thunderous. It was a vociferous sound; distracting and clamorous. Many people walking to and fro on the sidewalks did not so much as glance up. My eyes, however, were drawn to look up with my heart beginning to pound as I felt my palms get sweaty. I wondered, "Could they just be delivering supplies? An organ for transplant perhaps? A regular check in by the life flight crew? Maybe they needed to get more supplies for their helicopter? Or...or... was there a sick or injured child in need of emergency care?" Instinctively, I began to pray. My mind flooded with memories of stories and times of when my friends (and countless thousands more I don't have the honor to know personally) had their children require this service. After the helicopter landed, I watched as staff met the life flight crew mid-way to take the stretcher carrying what appeared to be an incubator-sized box - presumably with a patient inside. Within seconds, the staff ran the stretcher into the doorways atop the helicopter landing pad area.
My heart beat more rapidly and my prayers grew stronger that the child I presumed to be inside would be cared for, that the staff responsible for the unknown precious tiny human would have the capacities and resources to appropriately treat him or her, that the parents of the child were with supportive people. I reminded myself that not all children transported to the IWK Health Centre arriving by life flight are in critical condition and perhaps this was the best means of passage for an otherwise stable patient. A big part of me - the mom of a chronically ill, special needs child - hoped and prayed that this was the beginning of an another miracle at the IWK Health Centre.
As I watched the two crew return and enter their helicopter, I began to film their departure. In teaching the youth involved with HKBK: Helping Kids Be Kids, I have grown to appreciate that having tangible photos and videos to show to them helps drive home just how and why our work is so important. With some of our fundraising events and goals already established and underway, the group has wonderful hopes and dreams of presenting a grand and sizable donation at the 31st Annual IWK Telethon for Children. I, for one, have full confidence that they'll be on stage with a terrific donation to present at the 2015 Telethon!
Soon after the helicopter departed (click here to watch the video), my daughter came out of her school's front doors and we were on our way to the IWK Health Centre Foundation office with our Event Tool Kit request for new donation boxes, telethon posters, patient story booklets, stickers and more. As we made our way through a long hallway to our desination, we saw signs posted on the walls which brought wide smiles and big eyes to us both:
We don't mind the appearance or noise at all! On the contrary, we are thankful for it. The re-building of the Children's Heart Centre is exciting for us. It is a spot close to home for us as her little sister, Carly Rose, my daughter, was born with multiple conditions - including three Congenital Heart Defects requiring surgical interventions to manage and repair. With the pondering of questions still in my mind of what needs the child arriving by life flight might require fresh in my mind, these posters along the halls reminded me of the legendary care available within the walls of the building where we were causally passing through.
If you wish to get involved with HKBK, we are always welcoming new volunteers of any and all ages. You can send us an email to lmkuhn76@gmail.com with any questions you might have.
You can also follow us at our Facebook page by clicking https://www.facebook.com/hkbk15 Please share our link and invite your friends to follow us our well.
To make a donation to HKBK click here! All funds raised through our page at the IWK Health Centre Foundation will go directly to the hospital. Official tax receipts are available for donations in excess of $20.00 or more by request. If you would like to make a financial contribution off-line, email us at iwkhkbk@gmail.com
Thanks for your consideration!
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