IWK Patients

In December 2016, then 10-month-old Violet McInnis was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer—infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Instead of being at home with family, Violet spent her very first holiday season critically ill at the IWK Health Centre.

Born at just 31 weeks gestation, Hank and Clyde Cameron spent more than two months growing stronger in the IWK’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Thanks to the highly specialized care they received, these tiny twins have made incredible progress and are now back at home. 

“Mom and Dad, what do people see when they look at me?” It sounds like a simple question but for parents Marcel and Jill Côté, it was life-changing. It was the day they celebrated the birth of their daughter Skylar.

It was only one year ago that 19-year old Jacob Gardner kept himself locked in his room for fear something bad would happen. A diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder helped him gain back control of his life. Here is his story of bravery and strength.

Last September, 19-year-old Emma Elliott was just starting university when she began to spiral out of control. Her anxiety and substance abuse took hold of her life and resulted in her being hospitalized. Here is her courageous story.