February 27, 2023 (Port Hawkesbury, NS) – Earlier this afternoon, 11-year-old IWK patient Matthew LeBlanc, from Port Hawkesbury, NS, was officially announced as this year’s 2023 Children’s Miracle Network Champion for the IWK. The special celebration honouring Matthew was held at Walmart’s Port Hawkesbury store.
Throughout 2023, Matthew will represent children and youth who receive specialized treatment and care at IWK Health by sharing his story to support fundraising campaigns and events in the Maritimes. The Children’s Miracle Network Champion program brings together children representing 12 children’s hospital foundations across Canada. Their stories demonstrate the incredible advances that have been made in child health care in our country, and the personal journey children and their families take to overcome illness or injury.
“The LeBlanc family has been sharing their story to support IWK Foundation initiatives for several years, and we are thrilled to name Matthew as this year’s 2023 Champion,” says Melanie Matheson, Manager of Community & Corporate Giving at the IWK Foundation. “The IWK has been an important part of Matthew’s life since he was born. He and his family are passionate about sharing their story to help inspire others to support the IWK.”
Born prematurely at 32 weeks, Matthew and his twin brother Ben were admitted to the IWK’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. While Ben was discharged after five weeks, Matthew’s experience was different—he was born with kidneys that were not functioning and he began dialysis to keep him alive. At six months old Matthew finally went home, but continued to need dialysis for 12 hours each night. At 19 months, he received a kidney transplant from his father, Andy. Over the next seven years, Matthew had some ups and downs, but did well overall. Then, when he was eight, his kidney started to fail and he received his second transplant in May of 2021. Today, Matthew’s feeling the best he ever has and he’s ready to take on his new role as Champion.
“I am so happy to represent the IWK as Champion this year,” says Matthew. “I have spent a lot of time there and they made it a fun journey.”
Matthew and his family will travel to Orlando, Florida, in April to participate in events at Children’s Hospitals Week with other patients and their families from across North America who know first-hand the importance of having access to critical and specialized pediatric care. The Children's Miracle Network program in Canada is proudly supported through the sponsorship of partners, including Walmart Canada, The Brick and Air Canada Foundation.
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About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing more than $18 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, purchase pediatric medical equipment, and support research. Its various fundraising partners and programs support its mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Visit the Children’s Miracle Network website to learn more about its cause. In Canada, Children’s Miracle Network is managed and operated by Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations®.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Duggan
Integrated Brand Manager
IWK Foundation
902-220-8029
kelly.duggan@iwk.nshealth.ca