Dartmouth, N.S. (Feb. 15, 2024) – Today, 13-year-old IWK patient Canon Beazley of Dartmouth, N.S., was officially announced as the 2024 Children’s Miracle Network® Champion for the IWK. A special event to announce Canon as Champion was held at the Dartmouth South Walmart.
The Children’s Miracle Network Champion program brings together children representing children’s hospital foundations across Canada and the United States. Throughout 2024, as Champion, Canon will represent children and youth who receive specialized treatment and care at IWK Health. He will share his story to support fundraising campaigns and events in the Maritimes.
“Since their experience at the IWK, Canon and his family have been dedicated supporters of the IWK Foundation, sharing their story to raise awareness and give back,” says Melanie Matheson, Manager, Community & Corporate Giving, IWK Foundation. “We are thrilled to name Canon as this year’s IWK Children’s Miracle Network Champion, representing the IWK locally, nationally and internationally. He is resilient, intelligent and a true inspiration to us all.”
In 2021, Canon was diagnosed with Stage 1 Wilms Tumour, a form of kidney cancer, and underwent surgery to remove his left kidney and tumour. After undergoing 26 weeks of chemotherapy at the IWK, Canon officially “rang the bell,” signifying the end of his treatment. Shortly after, however, he began experiencing debilitating panic attacks and mental health struggles and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) stemming from his cancer experience.
Through regular therapy sessions, medication and the continued support of his family and IWK care teams, Canon is doing well today. He is back to enjoying the things he loves, including hockey and paddling. He has even started hosting an annual “House of Doom” Halloween fundraiser for the IWK, which has been incredibly successful year after year. Canon is feeling better than ever and is eager to take on his new role as Champion.
“I am very proud to have been chosen to represent the IWK as the 2024 Children's Miracle Network Champion,” says Canon. “The IWK has given me so much, and it makes me very happy to be able to represent them and help them continue to help kids like me. I am excited to meet other Champion children and have fun while supporting our children's hospitals.”
Canon and his family will travel to Orlando, Florida 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. Children’s Hospitals Week is proudly supported through the sponsorship of Children’s Miracle Network partners Walmart Canada, The Brick, Air Canada Foundation, DQ Canada and Marriott.
This year, the IWK Foundation is celebrating 40 years of community giving. Forty years ago, a group of passionate Maritimers brought the IWK Telethon for Children to the region, sharing heartwarming patient stories and encouraging the community to support the IWK. This legacy of giving continues today. As Champion, Canon will be a key part of 40th anniversary celebrations.
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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 over $19.4 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, pediatric medical equipment and research. Its various fundraising partners and programs support our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Children’s Miracle Network Canada is managed and operated by Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations®. Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Greening
Communications & Public Affairs
IWK Foundation
sarah.greening@iwkfoundation.org