Children's Miracle Network

This Holiday Season, Send Your #WellWishes

December 16, 2014 By Lena

We do Christmas a little differently around here.

You see, for years, my boys have been spoiled – the fringe benefits of having a mom who works in social media. Toys, games – even trips to exotic locations – they show up on the doorstep, and in my inbox, with regularity. And while I won’t apologize for working hard to earn these opportunities, I am sensitive about how they impact my boys’ egos, lifestyle perceptions, and sense of entitlement.

So, during the holidays, I impress on them that it’s a chance to give back for all the wonderful products and experiences they’ve received throughout the year. And they rise to the occasion – they select items to gift and donate, have a generous heart and are happy to spread the joy of the season. I truly could not be more proud.

But what makes our Christmas different? Santa actually bypasses our chimney so he’s able to gift the toys to other boys and girls who are in need. Ryder and Reid understand this, and as such, expect only simple presents from immediately family – pajamas, socks and *maybe* a small LEGO set. I love that they don’t anticipate a mountain of toys; instead, they look for ways they can give back.

This year, I’ve found the perfect way to celebrate the season – we’re sending #WellWishes to children in hospitals, in support of Children’s Miracle Network.
Here’s how you can participate:

1) Kraft Canada will donate $1.00 (up to a maximum of $50,000) to Children’s Miracle Network with your purchase of any Kraft product from Walmart Canada. Or,

2) Send your #WellWishes to children in hospitals on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, remembering to use the hashtag. For every social mention, Kraft Canada will also donate $1.00. …

Tis the Season: It’s a Joy to Share

December 5, 2013 By Lena

Last month, I regaled you with the tale of how an egg trained my toddler. This month, I want to show you how an egg can make miracles happen.

For the second year, KINDER has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network with the “A Joy To Share” program. The “A Joy to Share” program is just one of the ways KINDER is helping bring joy to families this holiday season.

Helping out is oh-so-simple: Create a holiday greeting card with your little one for the children in a Children’s Miracle Network member hospital through the KINDER Facebook page. By creating a personalized greeting card with your child, KINDER will automatically donate $1.00 to Children’s Miracle Network on your behalf. It only takes minutes – and yet, it can have a huge impact on the life of a child. I am 100% LOVING this program.

Sitting down with Ryder, it also provided a great opportunity to talk about children who are looking for a medical miracle this Christmas. And how a simple act of kindness, like creating a holiday card, can make all the difference in their recovery. He was excited to share his joy, and even asked if he could deliver his card personally. What a sweet little man.

So if you’re reading this, and have a Facebook account, here’s what I want you to do. Visit the KINDER Facebook page and create a card from the templates filled with holiday cheer. If you have kiddos, involve them in the design – the app is very child-friendly with fun characters and backgrounds to choose from.

Then, know that you’ve taken less than 5 minutes to do two amazing things today: put a smile on a child’s face and donate to a worthy cause.

KINDER has a goal of raising $25,000 for Children’s Miracle Network this holiday season. Once this post is published, it has the potential to be seen by 2,438 sets of eyes over the course of the day. If everyone stopped and gave just a few minutes, we’d be almost 10% closer to the goal. C’mon folks; it’s a joy to share.

I’m part of the Kinder Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Believe in Miracles

June 9, 2012 By Lena

A few weeks ago, I shared The Story of Ryder, and let you all know that I had joined MiracleMoms – a group of influential, passionate, and motivated women eager to tell the stories of families who use, or have used the services of the Children’s Miracle Network or Children’s Miracle Hospitals.

Then, I introduced you to Madison – the sweet, special little girl treated at Sick Kids.

Today, I am once again asking you to help me raise $500.00 for the MiracleMoms Program for The Hospital for Sick Children. I am asking my readers to help me, to join my team, to help me raise $500.00 by following the link to my personal #MiracleMoms Donation Page and making a donation now.

All contributions will benefit Sick Kids Foundation through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Donations of $20 or more will receive tax receipt.

Thank you so much to everyone who donates, shares this page, or helps spread the word about Children’s Miracle Network. You are all totally awesome.

I am part of the MiracleMoms program and receive compensation for my participation in this program. All thoughts and opinions reflected in this post are my own.

And THAT’s Where Your Donation Goes.

May 30, 2012 By Lena

I know you know this: I’ve joined #MiracleMoms to help raise funds for the Hospital for Sick Children.

(Think I don’t have a personal connection to the cause? Read The Story of Ryder.)

I’m often asked where fundraising dollars go. To tell the truth, I don’t have the entire answer. But I can share this video with you – hopefully, it will clear up any questions… and touch your heart.

Today, I am asking my readers to help me, to join my team, to help me raise $500.00 by following the link to my personal #MiracleMoms Donation Page and making a donation now.

All contributions will benefit Sick Kids Foundation through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Donations of $20 or more will receive tax receipt.

Thank you so much to everyone who donates, shares this page, or helps spread the word about Children’s Miracle Network.

I am part of the MiracleMoms program and receive compensation for my participation in this program. All thoughts and opinions reflected in this post are my own.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

May 13, 2012 By Lena

I used to believe that miracles were the work of a divine authority; that prayer, sacrifice and perseverance would somehow set in motion an event contrary to the laws of nature.

And while I still believe in divine intervention, I also believe that miracles can be manufactured by people just like you and me. I believe in that certain individuals – namely, the doctors at The Hospital For Sick Children – have the skill, knowledge and passion to give hope, ignite faith, and change lives.

Today, I want to introduce you to Madison – the sweet, special little girl picture right. In May 2005, Madison was on a walk with her kindergarten class when she passed out and was taken to hospital. She returned home for the weekend, but was brought to her paediatrician for tests and x-rays the following Monday and Tuesday. The x-ray revealed that Madison’s heart was enlarged so she was transferred to The Hospital for Sick Children.

There her family received the devastating news that Madison was battling a terminal disease called pulmonary hypertension. In this condition, there is increased pressure in the pulmonary artery which connects the right side of the heart to the lungs. The increased pressure makes the right side of the heart get bigger because it’s working harder to pump the blood which can lead to heart failure. Doctors estimated her lifespan would be three to five years with the possibility of a future heart or lung transplant….

The Story of Ryder

April 27, 2012 By Lena

It is 9:13am on Friday morning. The boys are enjoying a late breakfast of Cheerios and a sliced banana, and I am typing away from my kitchen office.

(Yes, I have a kitchen office. Where else do “working moms” handle their biz?)

The sun is shining through an open window; the sound of giggling and Treehouse in the background. And I am wondering why – after four long years – I am finally ready to tell the story of Ryder’s birth.

Perhaps it’s to reach out to fellow “Androids”. Perhaps it’s because my sweet little boy will be 4 years old in less than two weeks. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because of a video I watched this morning, which included three key phrases:

Pediatric Neurosurgeon.
Sick Kids Hospital.
Miracle Story.

And it is undoubtedly the way I felt in November 2008 when I left the neurosurgeon’s office for the final time, with a spring in my step and a profound wish to never see the hospital again, that I am riddled with equal doses of guilt and thankfulness Ryder is one of the “lucky” ones. Because not every parent exits Sick Kids with a spring in their step; and certainly they do not have the option of “never again”.

The Story Of Ryder

It is shortly after 11:00pm on Thursday, May 8th and I am experiencing tummy cramps that ebb and flow. Our little baby is not due for another three weeks, so I am confused as to why the cramps are taking on a predictable pattern – every 10 minutes or so – with equally predictable intensity. I decide to call Telehealth Ontario, my go-to resource for everything from a paper cut to a raging migraine. After I explain the symptoms and how far along in the pregnancy I am, the nurse (who to this day I picture to look like Aunt Jemima) chuckles and says, “You’re in labour, honey!”…

Kinder: Believe in Miracles

April 16, 2012 By Lena

When I signed up to be a #KinderMom, I knew little about the brand – other than they produced chocolatey treats that my boys simply adored, and they were a hit chez Lena around Easter time.

Turns out, this past Easter was no different; YES, they were a hit – and they were universally adored.

But for me, I have a sweet little secret – every time I dole out an egg to an über excited boy, I also know that I’m supporting a company that believes in miracles… and does their part to make them a reality.

I pleased to share that Kinder has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network for their “A Joy to Share” campaign. This season, proceeds from their sales of Easter products will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network to help families that are less fortunate.

(There are tons of Easter products still available in stores! Snap them up at a good price – for a great cause!)

I count my blessings each day that I have two healthy, vivacious little boys. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing – Ryder was born with a cephalhematoma, a birth injury that had us routinely following up with doctors (and a neurosurgeon at Sick Kids Hospital) for months and months after his birth. But following every visit – every time we left the hospital with another positive prognosis – my heart literally burst with sadness for those parents who weren’t receiving the same good news. That’s why supporting other moms – and causes like the Children’s Miracle Network – is so very important.

Visit Kinder Canada on Facebook and click The Miracle Kids tab. Here you’ll find stories of children, as told by their mothers, who have been helped by the Children’s Miracle Network through their own local Children’s Hospital – including a call to action to areas that could really use one (read Vicki’s story – a touching story of love and loss).

This Easter, we once again gave thanks for a multitude of blessings, and paused to reflect and pray for those in need. After our family meal, the best part came – seeing the joy on the faces of my little boys as they unwrapped their Kinder Eggs, and knowing that their Easter Kinder treats are helping to spread joy to other sweet little boys in our community as well.

(You can now follow Kinder Canada on Twitter. And don’t forget to visit the Kinder Canada website for product and parenting information.)

I’m part of the KINDER Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.
As with every post that I write, the opinions on this blog are my own.