Radiothon Changes Lives Like Margot’s

She was just 10 days old when her mom, Bethany, noticed a ridge forming along the top of her head. Margot had passed all her newborn checks, but something didn’t feel right. At her two-week appointment, Bethany raised the concern with her doctor, and soon the family was referred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

There, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Jay Riva-Cambrin confirmed Margot had craniosynostosis — a condition in which the joints between the bones of a baby’s skull fuse too early, before the brain has finished growing. As the brain continues to develop, pressure builds, causing the head to become misshapen and, in severe cases, risking vision problems, developmental delays and cognitive impairment.

Thanks to donor support through the Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon, Margot was able to undergo a minimally invasive procedure made possible by a specialized cranial endoscope — a piece of equipment that allows surgeons to see and operate inside the brain with remarkable clarity.

An endoscope is an illuminated surgical probe equipped with a high-definition camera which provides a crisp, unobstructed view inside extremely small and delicate spaces. That level of visualization is critical when surgeons are working just millimetres from a baby’s brain.

Become a Miracle Maker

“This surgery is all about seeing what you’re doing — and seeing it clearly,” says Dr. Riva-Cambrin. “The better the visualization, the safer the operation.”

The procedure itself is a carefully choreographed collaboration between two specialists: a pediatric plastic surgeon and a pediatric neurosurgeon. Through small incisions, the plastic surgeon uses the endoscope to navigate between the scalp and the skull, while the neurosurgeon then uses it to navigate between the skull and the protective layer covering the brain. Together, they carefully cut and remove a small section of bone to release the fused plates so the skull can grow normally.

“The plastic surgeon has the technically difficult job — reshaping bone in a very tight space — and I have the dangerous job, protecting the brain underneath. We work fast and very close together. That’s why having the best possible tools matters so much.”

Minimally invasive surgery significantly reduces blood loss, lowers the risk of infection, limits exposure to anesthesia and shortens recovery time. In fact, she spent just one night in hospital.

“I felt complete trust handing our baby over,” says Bethany. “The care, compassion and confidence of her whole team – the surgeons, the anesthesiologist, the nurses – made it clear she was in the very best hands.”

After surgery, Margot continued treatment with helmet therapy for several months to gently guide her head shape. Today, she’s a thriving one-year-old.

“She’s crawling and loves to clap her hands,” says Bethany. “We feel so grateful to live so close to such world-class care that has been life-changing for our little girl.”

“Because of Radiothon listeners, we have the tools we need to deliver the safest, most effective care possible,” says Dr. Riva-Cambrin. “It gives babies the chance to grow up healthy, confident and free from the lifelong challenges this condition can cause.”

Margot’s story is just one of many that will be shared during this year’s Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon, airing February 4, 5 and 6. Tune in — and help make more life-saving, life-changing moments possible at kidsradiothon.com.

Become a Miracle Maker