direct mail

Planned Giving Appeal

Stories are important to all of us.  In fact, stories can show you and me what's truly meaningful in each of our lives.  Please, allow me to tell you the story about Anna, her parents Heather and Mark, and love.

When Heather became pregnant in 2002, she and Mark were thrilled. But at four months of pregnancy, an ultrasound detected a serious heart condition in their new baby. Then fear set in.  As the the IWK didn’t specialize in Anna’s condition at that time, Heather was sent to Toronto to give birth. When she was six days old, Anna had open heart surgery. I'm sure you can imagine how scary this was. I’m sure you can understand Heather and Mark’s fear.

Unfortunately, the surgery did not go well. Because of swelling, surgeons had to leave her sternum open for several days - she developed serious infections including sepsis.

Heather and Mark were devastated. When it became apparent their little girl would not get better, they made a decision to bring Anna back home to the IWK because they did not want her dying in Toronto.

As you know, the IWK’s primary goal is to make every child better. This is why we exist. But sometimes, that is just not possible. When a child is dying, our priority is to do everything feasible for the child, and the family.

So we did everything possible for Anna and her parents. Together with Mark & Heather, we focused on Anna’s daily life, reduced tests and procedures and tried to make life as normal as possible. Heather and Mark even took Anna home for a short visit - they showed her her room, talked to her about her house and family.

But as parents of a dying child, Heather and Mark also had a special need. They needed someone who would understand their terrible loss. And according to Heather, two care team members at the IWK made an enormous difference. After many conversations with Dr. Frager and Grace McConnell of the palliative care team, Heather and Mark felt an immense burden lifted.

I think you already know the end of Anna’s story. Anna died on November 24, 2003.

You probably wonder why I’m telling you this tragic story. It’s for a couple of very important reasons.

The first reason is to let you know that the health centre you so generously support cares for all children to the best of our ability. And I want you to know that parents like Mark and Heather are most grateful for your generous support of children cared for at the IWK.

The second reason is that since Anna's death, Heather has given birth to two more girls. There was a chance that Anna's siblings could have heart defects as well. But I'm thrilled to tell you that both children are free from this rare disease. They are healthy.

The third and final reason for my letter is to tell you this: to thank the IWK for the care that they and Anna received, Heather and Mark decided to leave a bequest in their Will, to help other sick children.

Heather and Mark have known suffering like few people have. To lose a baby you love is simply heartbreaking. But they've discovered that caring for others helps healing. And because you are one of the IWK’s loyal donors, today I invite you to consider joining them with a bequest.

It’s something I’ve chosen for myself. I’ve chosen to leave a legacy gift to the IWK in my will. And, I can honestly say that I find this gift to be the most satisfying contribution I’ve made. It’s a legacy that will live on after I’m gone. A legacy to my own children and grandchildren.

But, more than that, it’s a legacy to the many children, who will benefit from the excellent standard of care provided here at the IWK.

The IWK is one of the best places in the world if your child is sick. It's more than the excellent medical care, it's the nurses, doctors and all staff who put the children first.

Heather and Mark made a bequest to the IWK because they saw this caring firsthand. They are making this special bequest to remember and to express their love for their beautiful baby, Anna.

I hope you will join them, and me, today.

Sincerely,

Robbie Shaw
President & CEO
IWK Health Centre Foundation