When Jonas was feeling unwell in September 2019, his parents, Heather and Jeremy, thought he had a stomach bug that would clear up within a few days. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.
The cause of Jonas’ illness was much more serious than they could have ever imagined.
When Jonas wasn’t getting any better, they took their then three-year-old son to their local hospital in Prince Edward Island. He was immediately admitted, and his care team tried to determine why he was so sick.
Jonas’ health began to decline quickly. His parents were shocked to learn he needed to be transferred to the IWK, but they were also relieved to know he’d receive the specialized care that he urgently needed.
While on the way to the IWK in an ambulance, Jonas’ heart rate and blood pressure suddenly dropped. His parents were terrified. Jonas needed to get to the IWK quickly, so he was airlifted from Truro to the IWK.
After arriving at the IWK’s emergency department, Jonas was immediately taken for medical tests, including bloodwork, urine and stool samples, and an ultrasound.
Within hours, Heather and Jeremy learned Jonas had contracted an E. coli infection, which caused Jonas to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare and serious kidney condition.
Heather and Jeremy were shocked to learn that Jonas was in kidney failure. He needed emergency surgery and dialysis to survive.
Your generous support as a donor will help children like Jonas receive urgent and life-saving care—close to home and when it matters the most. You help give them a second chance at life.
During Jonas’ surgery, he needed an anesthesia machine—a vital piece of medical equipment that ensured Jonas was asleep during his surgeries and not in any pain. It has many features that keep children like him safe during a surgical procedure.
The IWK urgently needs a new fleet of anesthesia machines to help Maritime children like Jonas during surgery. Will you please make a gift to help us purchase new anesthesia machines the IWK so urgently needs? Each machine costs $143,000.
Remember…no one ever knows if their child or loved one will need the IWK, but if you do, you’ll want to know the best care is available for them.
Jonas was an inpatient at the IWK for three months, receiving dialysis daily before he was well enough to return home in late December 2019.
Although Jonas’ kidney function had improved, he had to take many medications and follow a strict diet to keep his kidneys healthy. His parents knew he would need a kidney transplant when he was a little bit older.
Sadly, in April 2024, Jonas was airlifted to the IWK after becoming very sick. He had contracted a virus that affected his kidneys. Jonas’ parents never expected to relive one of the toughest times in their lives.
Jonas was admitted to the IWK for a second time and placed on dialysis. He needed to go on the kidney transplant list right away.
One month later, Heather received the call that would save her son's life. A kidney became available for Jonas.
An anesthesia machine was used during all of Jonas’ surgical procedures, including his kidney transplant. Without it, performing major surgery would not be possible.
The IWK urgently needs to replace their fleet of anesthesia machines so children needing surgery can be safely put to sleep and their vitals, such as heart rate and blood pressure, carefully watched during a procedure.
We need your help. We cannot do it alone. Please make a gift before December 31st to help us purchase the anesthesia machines the IWK immediately needs.
Every gift matters and helps move us closer to buying these vital machines that help IWK patients every day and all year round.
Jonas, now eight years old, is thriving since he received his new kidney. Thanks to the incredible care at the IWK, Jonas is back home in PEI and enjoys swimming, hiking and making his family laugh.
Thank you in advance for supporting the IWK and being there for our Maritime children like Jonas. On behalf of the IWK Foundation, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Gillivan, ICD.D
President & CEO