Forty-two years ago, Madden’s uncle Brian became ill and passed away before his first birthday. No cause was found, no diagnosis was ever made. Years later, soon after he was born, Madden began experiencing symptoms eerily similar to his late uncle. Baby Madden was plagued with chronic diarrhea, severe blistering all over his body and was failing to thrive. Conventional tests were unable to provide a diagnosis. Then, when he was two, Madden caught a common virus and became so sick he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. As his condition became life-threatening, his doctors were able to enrol him in a study led by researchers at the hospital and the University of Calgary. Using state-of-the-art technology, they sequenced his DNA and had an answer in just five days.

Madden had IPEX syndrome, a rare immune disorder that is usually fatal in children if not diagnosed rapidly. With Madden’s sister Everleigh as a perfect bone marrow transplant (BMT) match, specialists were able to transplant a new immune system into Madden’s body. Both the DNA sequencing technology and advancements in the BMT program were supported generously by community donations. Of course, we know every cure begins with research.

“We are beyond thankful to have this technology and this level of expertise in our own backyard,” says Madden’s mom, Danielle. “Without those doctors and researchers and the community that gave back to the hospital, we wouldn’t have a son.”