What Being a SickKids Ambassador still means to our family

As many of you  know, Zack and I were asked to be SickKids ambassadors (read Zack’s story on their site) over 3 years ago- we were asked to speak at events with Zack by my side, participate in commercials promoting the lottery, fly to the North Pole to meet Santa and attend cool events helping the SickKids Foundation spread the word about how they had impacted the lives of so many families like ours.

Just after Zack died, we were once again asked to participate in an event (making Blizzards at our local Dairy Queen in support of the Children’s Miracle Network) and have since been privileged to speak with John Tory on the Radiothon, act in the tv show “The Listener” (you will see Ty when it airs soon) and most recently, film the PSAs for their latest HUGE fundraising efforts.  There are no words to describe how much still being a part of the SickKids family means to us- it means that Zack hasn’t been forgotten.  It means that we have been embraced by the hospital that cherished him and it allows us to help give back, in Zack’s honour. 



A few weeks ago, Ty and I ventured downtown to attend a shoot for the new Camp Adventure commercials using a green screen.  The technique was really fun, as they will add camp animation when the spots air in early March.  We were both a bit nervous but also so honoured to continue to be asked to be ambassadors.

Ty was fed his lines while he “acted” out the scenes- and he truly was a natural.  After the scripted lines, Ty was asked how he felt when he learned that his brother had died.  My heart ached, but Ty answered so beautifully about how he heard the news and how it had made him feel.  I was so very proud of my son for sharing his emotions in a room full of strangers.

When it was my turn, I mentioned to the director that I had brought a photo of Zack.  I knew that the other mothers had their children in these scenes and I really wanted to share our own miracle and have Zack with me too.  He was so thrilled that I had thought of that and we filmed my scenes while I held my favourite framed shot of Zackie.  I was also asked some tough questions and tried my best to hold it together and convey how I really felt about the amazing people at SickKids.  The reality is, they gave us over 3 years with our son and we are eternally grateful.

Today, I can finally share the news about that fun green screen shoot and the new initiative at SickKids.  I can also share that Zack’s Dream Team will be back again this year, donning our hats while we head out for the family adventure of a lifetime!  We will also be setting our fundraising goal and working hard to achieve it with the help from friends and family! 

Did you love camp? 

I hope you will consider joining our “cabin” on September 28th!  Please follow more information about our team efforts on FacebookThis event will be family-focused and fun- while reminding you what it felt like to be at camp as a kid!  Whether we decide to do the full 20km or only half, along the way we will participate in fun camp adventures, crafts and create family memories for SickKids!  Ty and I will be serving hot chocolate and helping at the Exclusive Media Launch on Monday, March 4th.

Please mark September 28th on your calendar and join Zack’s Dream Team!

CAMP FOR KEEPS PRESS RELEASE
SickKids Launches New Annual FUNdraising Event to Support Children’s Health
The Great Camp Adventure is an up to 20 kilometre challenge-by-choice adventure walk that will take place on September 28, 2013 through the streets of downtown Toronto (starting and ending at Fort York).
LAUNCH EVENT
Toronto, ON – Goodbye snow, hello wilderness campout! On Monday, March 4, the front lawn of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) will be transformed from winter wonderland to summer camp central to celebrate the launch of Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure benefitting SickKids.
Green grass will blanket the area, tents will line the paths and a campfire will spark nearby as staff, patient ambassadors and media will get the chance to participate in interactive camp-themed activities like marshmallow toss, three-legged race, camp sing-song and arts and crafts. Happy campers will also snack on s’mores and drink hot chocolate by the fire. Event attendees will be able to get a jump start on their fundraising for the event too by signing up a cabin group (a.k.a. a team) to participate.
WHAT
Exclusive Media  ONLY event to reveal new SickKids fundraising event; our first, very own event of this scale.
WHO
Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO, The Hospital for Sick Children
Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation
Jordan Bitove, SickKids Foundation Board of Directors
David Kassie, Chairman, Canaccord Financial Inc.
Charolette Desbiens, age 7, SickKids patient ambassador
Ty Hamilton, age 9, SickKids ambassador

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