The Legacy of Estrellita and Yousuf Karsh

Teddy Bear
Times
Autumn 2005
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation
The Legacy of
Estrellita and
Yousuf Karsh
Table of Contents
The Legacy
2
Planned Giving
2
President’s Message
3
Convergys Customer Management 4
Portrait by
Yousuf Karsh of
the American
physician and
pioneering
paediatric
cardiologist,
Dr. Helen Taussig
(1898-1986).
This photo is one
of 20 which will
be displayed in
The Estrellita and
Yousuf Karsh
Emergency
Department.
On September 21, CHEO celebrated the naming of “The Estrellita and
Yousuf Karsh Emergency Department,” and the CHEO Foundation had
the opportunity to display a remarkable collection of the legendary
photographer’s portraits. The Karsh portraits are a gift to CHEO, and each
Dream of a Lifetime
4
From the Hospital
5
CHEO Research Institute
5
Patient Story
6
Mail Bag
7
Young Fundraisers
7
Calendar of Events
8
The Legacy...
was chosen by Mrs. Estrellita Karsh,
widow of the late Yousuf Karsh, to
remain on permanent display at
CHEO for the benefit of the young
people and families in our
community. Mrs. Karsh made a
special trip to Ottawa where she
assisted with the unveiling of the
plaque to rename the Emergency
Department, and received
congratulations from friends in the
city where she and Mr. Karsh lived
for many years.
The Karsh portrait collection at
CHEO is part of a generous legacy
gift to CHEO from Mrs. Karsh and
her late husband Yousuf Karsh, who
was an internationally acclaimed
photographer for much of the
twentieth century. Mrs. Karsh’s gift
to CHEO also includes provision for
patient care, staff training and
education, equipment and
technology, family support, and
program development for
“The Estrellita and Yousuf Karsh
Emergency Department”. This
on-going support will help CHEO
continue to provide the children
and youth of our region with the
very best paediatric health care for
generations to come.
Subjects of the Karsh portraits at
CHEO include highly-acclaimed
artists, authors, political leaders,
2
athletes, scientists and medical
pioneers, whose contributions had a
far-reaching impact on the world
around them. The photographs will
be on permanent display in the
busy area surrounding
“The Estrellita and Yousuf Karsh
Emergency Department” where
thousands of young patients,
families, staff and visitors will enjoy
them each year.
This most recent gift complements
Mr. and Mrs. Karsh’s generosity to
CHEO in the past. In 1995, Mr. and
Mrs. Karsh helped CHEO’s Research
Institute by establishing an
endowment fund for the Solange
Gauthier Karsh Laboratory, in
memory of Mr. Karsh’s first wife.
Over the years Mr. and Mrs. Karsh
also gave CHEO a sculpture,
Russian dolls, and art work for the
enjoyment of its young patients.
Now, the Karsh’s love for young
people and their strong
commitment to CHEO will live
forever in “The Estrellita and
Yousuf Karsh Emergency Department.”
The following words were written
by Estrellita Karsh:
“Throughout his life, my husband,
Yousuf Karsh, remained grateful to
his adopted land of Canada.
Remembering his traumatic early
years during the Armenian
Massacres, he revelled in the
“sunshine of freedom” of Canada the country which sheltered him
and offered him many
opportunities.
“It is rarely possible,” he wrote, “to
repay directly those who have
rendered us great personal
kindnesses…for I do not believe
that time ever passes. Nature does
not often collaborate to permit
simple repayment, whether the
debt is from son to father, from
soldier to comrade, from pupil to
master, or from citizen to country.
We may never be able to pay
directly for the gifts of true
friendship, but pay we must, even
though we make our payment to
someone who owes us nothing, in
some other place, and at some
other time.”
So, it is fitting that, from the little
boy of nearly a century ago who
never had a real childhood, should
come a legacy to the children of
today, ensuring compassionate care
when the need is most urgent.
I am proud and happy that Yousuf
and I, through the Emergency
Department at CHEO, are privileged
to begin to pay the gift of
friendship—albeit “in another place
and at some other time.”
Planned Giving: On the Subject of Legacies
When we receive a legacy gift at CHEO, we understand
what it means. Large or small, these gifts help CHEO’s
doctors and nurses save young lives, but many legacies also
represent the life-long dreams of the generous people who
make the donation.
Legacy gifts show us the hope and love of our donors for
future generations of children. For some people, a legacy
can be a way of remembering a loved one, or a way of
saying thank-you for some benefit they or others have
received. Many leave a legacy gift to CHEO as an
expression of hope that new cures and treatments will be
found to help save young lives. Every gift, regardless of its
size, helps our staff care for our children and youth when
they most need comfort and assistance.
Who are the wonderful people who leave legacy gifts to
CHEO in their wills? They are single people, couples,
President’s Message
3
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Photo by Michelle Valberg
right along with it. That’s why
expansion is so vitally important
here at CHEO.
As The Children’s Hospital of
Eastern Ontario prepares for the
next phase of expansion we only
need to look at some of the
hospital statistics to see how vital
it is for our children’s hospital to
grow; last year over 52,000
children and youth visited CHEO’s
Emergency Department; over
6,000 are admitted to CHEO
annually with an average stay of
over 6 days; and over 170,000
kids and their families rely on
CHEO each year. Our vibrant
community continues to grow
and these numbers will grow
Construction will soon begin on a
new East Wing which will see
major improvements for the
hospital. The emergency
department will have 10
additional patient exam bays and
there will be a new critical care
unit. The Medical Day Unit will
have an additional exam room,
treatment and consultation areas
and improved family space, and
there will be new clinic space for
Neurology, ENT and Audiology
and Gastroenterology.
While expansion will continue to
be a major focus here at CHEO,
there are also some incredibly
exciting developments going on
in the CHEO Research Institute.
Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma will
soon be conducting clinical trials
on a vaccine created to cure and
prevent HIV/Aids. Important
research is also being conducted
in many other areas including
childhood obesity, cancer,
respiratory illness and
much more.
people with children and people who never had children
themselves, and sometimes grandparents or relatives of
CHEO patients. All are represented in the group of
exceptional individuals who have chosen to name CHEO in
their wills.
Share your dreams with the next generation. Please leave a
legacy to CHEO.
When we closed the books on
the 2005 CHEO Telethon our
community had once again
signaled that the health of our
children and youth is of the
utmost importance, as our
Telethon total climbed to over
$4.5 million. This amazing total is
made up of phone-in pledges
from individuals, gifts from
businesses, corporations and
service clubs, and monies raised
at over 170 special events that are
executed by people across the
region on behalf of CHEO. On
behalf of the past, present and
future patients at CHEO, I extend
a heartfelt thank you to everyone
who supports CHEO. Whether
that support comes in the form of
a financial gift or volunteer hours
that help make a special event a
success, it all helps the doctors,
nurses and staff at CHEO provide
the excellence in health care that
we all expect for our children.
Sincerely,
Fred Bartlett
President and CEO
CHEO Foundation
For more information on how to make a legacy gift to
CHEO, please return the postage paid flyer in this magazine
or contact:
Fran Ward, Director of Major and Planned Giving,
CHEO Foundation, 415 Smyth Road, Ottawa ON K1H 8M8
Telephone: (613) 738-3694.
E-Mail: fward@cheofoundation.com
Dream of a Lifetime
The Dream of a Lifetime Lottery is back with our best
prize line-up ever! With 3,441 prizes worth over
$2.2 million to be won there is a lot to be excited about!
The grand prize package includes a fully furnished and
decorated Minto Dream Home, $50,000 in cash, a
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a year from Loblaws, a $5,000 Canadian Tire Gift Card,
and moving and legal services.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Our second prize is
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Purchase your ticket by November 18 and you could be
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this spectacular Early Bird prize is a 2006 Pontiac Solstice
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4
$5,000 cash. You could also win one of 2,000 early bird
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Mercury Outboard and Trailer from Hurst Marina,
a $5,000 Canadian Tire gift card, and
$1,000 in gas from Esso.
Check www.dreamofalifetime.ca for complete details
and good luck!
Single tickets are still $100 each but you can now
purchase our new 3-pack of tickets for only $250!
Your ticket purchase is a way of showing your
support to our children and youth. You make dreams
come true at CHEO.
Get your ticket by calling
(613) 783-9540 or
1-800-414-5953 or visit our participating banks:
Scotiabank,
RBC,
TD Canada Trust,
CIBC, and
Bank of Montreal.
Thank you Convergys
Customer Management
Mr. Bruce Weippert, Sr. Manager, Human
Resources, Convergys Customer Management,
Canada, presented a cheque to Fred Bartlett,
CEO and President of the CHEO Foundation. In
recognition of this very generous gift, the
Computer Therapy room in the Max Keeping
wing will be named in honour of
Convergys Corporation.
From the Hospital
5
Distance Irrelevant with Electronic Patient
Network — CHEO Joins Provincial Effort to
Share Medical Information
While patients will travel thousands of kilometers to
receive care from CHEO, their medical file will travel at
the speed of light. With the use of a secure electronic
network linking most hospital and health providers in
Ontario, patients’ medical information is accessible at
the click of a mouse.
CHEO has joined the network called eCHN, for
electronic Child Health Information, which has
members all across Ontario. Membership is expected to
grow over the coming weeks and months, eventually
leading to a network that will make the transfer of
medical information timelier and ultimately more cost
effective. The advantages also include reducing the
need for repeated medical tests and delays in the
continuity of care Ontario patients receive.
According to Dr. Jim King, a paediatrician and Director of
Medical Informatics at CHEO, “timely access to a patient’s
medical information is essential for health care providers.
From a patient’s perspective, this avoids duplicating tests
or having to wait unnecessarily for reports between
providers. It is another way to make sure that the medical
care children and youth receive here can be continued
more seamlessly by the physicians in their own
communities.” At this time, eCHN members include
hospitals, health centres and CCAC’s (community care
access centres) around the province.
Incredible Work Being Done
At CHEO Research Institute
Brings Us Closer To Prevention and Cures!
Photo compliments: The Ottawa Citizen
HIV continues to be a great threat.
Influenza is even more common
and with the emergence of
avian flu, is a significant concern
to all of us.
Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma is
Head of Virology at CHEO and the
leader of ground breaking research
into vaccines for HIV and Influenza
that hold tremendous promise for
both children and older adults.
With 39 million people infected
with HIV worldwide and increasing
infection rates among children,
Dr. Diaz-Mitoma's research focuses
on understanding the way that
viruses such as HIV and Influenza
change or "mutate" over time.
Because these viruses are
constantly changing, they pose a
unique challenge to our immune
system. This is the reason we need
a new influenza vaccine each year.
Dr. Diaz-Mitoma and his team have
developed a unique solution by
using large databases of genetic
material and bio-informatics to
design vaccines that can teach the
immune system how to capture
these changing viruses. Dr. DiazMitoma's work at CHEO's world
renowned Research Institute may
soon have a profound impact on
both the prevention and treatment
of HIV and Influenza. His research
has now reached the point where
the vaccines are scheduled to begin
clinical trials in 2006.
Your donations to CHEO help with
some of this amazing research and
we can all be very proud that this
exciting work is being done right
here at your children’s hospital.
Patient Story—Meet Zachary Rathwell
Without CHEO, Steve and Stephanie
Rathwell feel that their three-year old
son Zachary’s story would have had
a different outcome. In the spring of
2004, Zachary suffered from three
bouts of pneumonia in a short
period of time. Wanting to be sure
their son didn’t have any type of
immune deficiency, they asked their
paediatrician to run tests in early
2005. Luckily, their doctor, Dr. Eddy
Wong, had the insight to run
extensive blood work. It was
determined that Zachary had a low
level of Alpha1-antitrypsin which is
an indicator of a possible genetic
disorder that can potentially lead to
liver problems in children.
On March 31, 2005 Zachary came
to CHEO for a liver ultrasound.
Thankfully, his liver was fine.
However, in doing the ultrasound,
an unexpected problem was
discovered…Zack had a mass in his
pelvis. “I had a pit in my stomach
and feeling something was wrong
when we were asked to wait outside
for the resident radiologist to
arrive—but I never expected a tumor
in our healthy, energetic little boy,”
remembers Steve. Later that same
day, Zachary and his parents met
with Dr. Klassen, an oncologist at
CHEO and were given the
devastating news that the mass was
indeed a tumor and possibly
neuroblastoma. The very next day,
Zack was admitted for a 24-hour
urine collection, had an MRI, CAT
scan, bone marrow extraction and
more blood work. By the end of that
week, Zack had surgery to perform a
biopsy.
“It was an awful week,” recounts
Steve and Stephanie. “Once the MRI
was completed, we knew it was
cancer (neuroblastoma). However,
before the biopsy and further scan
results, we didn’t know where the
tumor was exactly, what type or how
aggressive it was. It was really like
someone snuck behind us and hit us
with a baseball bat—we were in total
shock.” Thankfully, test results
showed that it was not the
aggressive form of neuroblastoma
and it hadn’t spread. However, the
tumor was 9 cm, taking up his entire
6
pelvic cavity and pushing on his
bladder. Steve and Stephanie were
told that Zachary would require
eight cycles of chemotherapy over
six months to try to shrink the tumor
before surgery.
Every three weeks, Zachary is
admitted for three days of
chemotherapy. This will end in
October. The next step will be
surgery to remove the tumor. He
also visits the Medical Day Unit two
to three times per week for blood
work, dressing change, and if
required, transfusions. So far the
tumor has not shrunk in size, nor has
it spread to other areas. Steve and
Stephanie also have a five-year-old
daughter Emilie. According to his
parents, Zachary is handling this life
altering experience better than
anyone in the family. “We are
emotionally exhausted—we try our
best to keep life normal for Emilie,
but she knows something is not
right,” says Steve. “Zack on the other
hand, is as happy and full of life
today as he was on March 31st
before we found out the shattering
Mail Bag
news. Of course, he can’t swim
or take a bath because of his
central line, (a permanent line
that is fed through his jugular
vein into his heart to administer
chemo) and he doesn’t like all
the pokes, but he takes
everything in stride. His smile,
energy and positive outlook are
a remarkable inspiration.”
Zack’s days at the hospital are
brightened by Molly Penny, the
CHEO clown, the kindness of
volunteers and wonderful care
of the dedicated nurses and
doctors. Zack even got to spend
a special day as a Jr. Clown
(officially named “Mr. Beans”),
delivering stickers to the other
cancer kids on 4 North dressed
in full clown gear. “Many times,
after spending eight hours at
CHEO, undergoing blood work,
a dressing change and
transfusions, Zack continues to
smile and wants to stay to play
with his friends at the hospital.
That’s a true sign of how CHEO
truly makes a difference and
helps kids go through difficult
situations,” says Steve.
It’s still a long road ahead for
Zack and his family. They are
able to quell the “why-me?”
days with gratitude that their
paediatrician Dr. Wong and the
doctors at CHEO were able to
diagnose Zachary quickly and
begin treatment. “We are very
optimistic about our little
“Zacky’s” future,” says Stephanie.
“We are so grateful that we have
CHEO in Ottawa, its support
network and devoted staff—
without them who knows what
the future would have been…”
7 7
To the CHEO Foundation:
It has been over one year since our newborn was taken to CHEO by helicopter for a heart
defect. Just thinking about the experience of almost losing my baby still makes me cry.
When the helicopter landed and I stumbled off in shock and in tears I will never forget
the staff in the emergency department. I was greeted by two very caring and empathetic
social workers. One just hugged me, let me cry on her shoulder and rubbed my back so
the doctors and nurses could attend to my baby.
Everyone was so amazing and caring not just about the kids but about the distraught
parents as well. Over the four days I was at CHEO I had lots of attention from everyone.
Not just the nurses and doctors, but even the cleaning staff that came in our room
stopped to chat. We still have to visit the Cardiology Department every once in a while.
When our whole world seemed to be falling apart in an instant, the staff at CHEO were
the only ones that actually made us feel like we could get through it. We thought for
sure our baby was going to die and it wasn't until my husband and I met Dr. Rosenberg
and his staff in cardiology that we knew we were in the best place possible.
I still wish we never had to meet anyone at CHEO or ever step inside the door, but
reality had a different set of plans for us. We now never take things for granted
and cherish our kids more every day. Our baby is over a year old now and no one would
ever know there's anything wrong with him. He's into everything just like any other kid
and loves to wave at birds, planes and even helicopters. Personally, the site of the air
ambulance still brings tears to my eyes. Thank you CHEO for giving us the hope, strength
and courage we needed to get through. Most of all, thank you for giving us back our
baby, Matthew.
The Doyon Family,
Long Sault, Ontario
Many Thanks to our Young Fundraisers
Maia Stenger, 7 (left),
and her sister Calli (4)
recently helped deliver
two boxes of toys and
videos for the children
at CHEO. For her
seventh birthday, Maia
asked her friends in the
grade one class of
Manotick Public School
to bring a toy to help
brighten the day of
the kids in our
children's hospital.
Happy Birthday Maia, and thank you to all the children and parents who participated
so generously.
Calendar of Events
8
Mark your calendars…
15th Dream of a Lifetime Lottery
With our most exciting prize line up
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There are many fabulous prizes to
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Ticket sales will begin on Tuesday,
September 20, 2005 and will close
midnight on Friday, December 16,
2005. To be eligible for the early
bird package worth over $54,000,
tickets must be purchased by
November 18. Single tickets are still
$100 each but we now offer a 3pack for $250. Check out our web
site for further details at
www.dreamofalifetime.ca.
Trees of Hope
The Fairmont Château Laurier will
be presenting the Trees of Hope for
the Children at CHEO on
November 21st. Teams from area
businesses compete in a tree
decorating competition with funds
raised benefiting CHEO. Trees are
then displayed around the hotel
during the holiday season.
The evening also includes a
spectacular silent auction with
exciting items up for bid. It is a
heartwarming evening filled with
fun, food and music and we hope
you can join us. If you would like
to enter a team please contact
Deneen Perrin, Fairmont Château
Laurier at (613) 562-7001 or
Norma Lamont, CHEO Foundation
at (613) 737-2783.
For the Love of Tiny Hearts
TV Special
The For the Love of Tiny Hearts
television special will air on
Dec. 11, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. on
CJOH TV (channel 7). This half hour
show to benefit the children and
youth at CHEO focuses on three
very special CHEO patients. We
invite you to tune in to hear these
touching stories and hope that you
will show your support for the
children and youth of our region.
Tour Nortel
On Sunday, May 7th, 2006 bring
the whole family to enjoy
refreshments, music, a children’s
stage and more. All tours start and
finish at Nortel, 3500 Carling
Avenue. Get your team together and
help raise money for kids and youth
with cancer.
19th Kiwanis Duck Race for
Tiny Hearts
The 19th Kiwanis Duck Race for
Tiny Hearts at CHEO will take
place on Saturday, June 3rd, 2006
on the canal in front of the
National Arts Centre. Be sure to
get your tickets and head downtown
to cheer on your duck. It’s a whole
lot of family fun with a ton of
fantastic prizes to be won. Come out
and enjoy one of the region’s
favourite family outings.
CJOH Telethon for CHEO
The 2006 CJOH Telethon for CHEO
with co-hosts Max Keeping, Wayne
Rostad, Carol Anne Meehan, and
J.J. Clarke will take place on
Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday,
June 4th, 2006. Tune in to CJOH-TV,
Rogers Ottawa, Bell ExpressVu 196,
or Star Choice 311 and take a look
into the lives of our wonderful staff
and patients who will share their
stories with you. All money raised
goes toward training staff, funding
research, purchasing new
equipment, helping families in
crisis, and enhancing the paediatric
nature of the hospital. Your pledge
makes a difference.
Many thanks to all those who have
volunteered, attended, donated, or
participated in any of our events.
Your devotion to our children’s
health is greatly appreciated. We
look forward to seeing you at our
upcoming events.
Special thanks to Smiling Cat
Productions, whose support of
CHEO Foundation projects
throughout the year helps
make this beautiful newsletter
possible.
Teddy Bear Times is a semi-annual newsletter for donors, supporters and friends,
published by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation. If you have
any questions or comments please contact the CHEO Foundation or
visit www.cheofoundation.com.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40063574. Return Undeliverable Canadian
Addresses to:
The CHEO Foundation
415 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M8
(613) 737-2780