2X the Impact for Kids Like Sophia, All Year Long

Most little girls carry snacks or toys in their backpacks. Last year, two-year-old Sophia carried a breakthrough life-saving cancer treatment in hers.

Sophia was only four months old when her parents noticed some little bruises on her legs. Not thinking too much of it, they pointed it out to their doctor, who ordered blood work – just to be on the safe side. Those test results led to an urgent trip to the Alberta Children’s Hospital where they heard words no parent ever expects: Their baby had leukemia.

It’s unimaginable for a baby to have cancer, yet infants with leukemia have a higher risk of relapse and require a bone marrow transplant as part of their treatment. For Sophia, that meant reaching remission and becoming strong enough to move forward with the transplant that could give her a healthy new immune system — and a cure.

Sophia’s little body needed the gentlest, safest therapies possible. Thankfully, her team had more than traditional chemotherapy to rely on. They were able to give her immunotherapy medicines that were tough on her cancer and easier on her.

Supporters like you make child-focused research and clinical trials possible at our hospital, and the steady support of monthly donors helps our experts develop new ways to help a child survive cancer today — and thrive for the rest of their lives.

Children at our hospital were able to take part in the trial of a promising new cancer drug, Blinatumomab — or “Blina”. The results were remarkable — increasing survival rates from 85% to 95%. Blina quickly became part of standard treatment, giving children a more effective treatment with fewer side effects.

Sophia received this life-saving medicine through a tiny pump in a little pink backpack.

Become a Miracle Maker

Instead of spending weeks attached to an IV pole in the hospital, she could be at home where she belonged. She could have dance parties in the kitchen and chase bubbles in the yard. She could nap in her own crib. And when she needed a new medication bag, specially trained nurses from the Hospital at Home program came right to her door.

As a Miracle maker – one of our cherished monthly donors – your support is changing the future for children with cancer. You are ensuring they receive the life-saving care they need and still enjoy the childhoods they deserve. And today, you can double your impact for an entire year, thanks to a special matching gift opportunity.

Your support allows children like Sophia to receive breakthrough treatments that protect their growing bodies and give them every chance for the brightest future. And in the moments that matter most, your support allows our experts to give parents something invaluable: hope that there is still another option when their child’s life depends on it.

Today, Sophia is recovering well from the bone marrow transplant she received in November. She is always smiling and laughing. Her giggles and joyful spirit give no hint of what she has overcome. Because of people like you, she has every possible chance to grow up healthy and happy.

Years from now, if Sophia remembers her cancer experience at all, she’ll think of sunshine, toys and the kind nurses who came to visit her. She won’t remember feeling sick or scared. She won’t remember missing home. And she won’t remember what you made possible — but we will.

Support from Miracle Makers like you is the reason Sophia is here, and the impact of your generosity will be felt throughout her life.

Right now, you can help the more than 70 children diagnosed with cancer at our hospital each year by increasing your support as a Miracle Maker. And there has never been a better time.

Thanks to an incredible gift from Tom Crist, your monthly support can have twice the impact. All new monthly donations — and all increased monthly donations — will be matched for a full year* when made in response to this letter or during our Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon. It is a remarkable opportunity to help even more children when they need it most.

Here are three easy ways to become a Miracle Maker or increase your monthly donation and double your impact for an entire year:

1. Sign up as a monthly Miracle Maker today.
2. Are you already a Miracle Maker? Call 403-955-8818 (choose option 3) to speak to a member of our team directly.
3. Listen live and call in during our annual Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon, February 4, 5 and 6 – volunteers on the phonebank will be ready. Or, you can visit KidsRadiothon.com to sign up online.

Monthly giving is an easy, convenient and affordable way to give. And, together, our community of Miracle Makers makes an incredible difference. We hope this remarkable opportunity inspires you to increase your monthly gift, knowing your donations will be doubled for an entire year – going twice as far for children like Sophia.

Your generosity helps ensure kids receive life-saving treatments and the chance to grow up healthy, happy with lives filled with possibility.

Become a Miracle Maker

*All new and increased monthly Miracle Maker donations will be matched by Tom Crist and the Crist Family Foundation for one year, up to a combined total of $500,000!