Scott Marsh played six instruments. He made strangers feel like lifelong friends. He was “physically incapable” of being mean to others according to his dad and brother. He listened. He cracked jokes through chemotherapy and walked his dog between gasping breaths because, as his partner Jessica Murphy put it, “that’s just who he is.”

When Scott was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in early 2024, his journey brought him repeatedly to C3, the inpatient oncology unit at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. What his family found there helped shape both his final months and the way they would choose to celebrate his life.

Oncology Nursing Day honours the irreplaceable contributions of oncology nurses across Canada. This year’s theme, focused on collaboration and innovation, speaks directly to what Scott’s family experienced on C3: a team that pulled together across disciplines, across shifts, and across the invisible line between clinical duty and human connection.

As with many oncology patients, Scott’s condition was complex and required highly specialized care. When his circumstances placed him in the emergency department, the family knew immediately where he needed to be. “Please get us a room in C3,” Jessica Murphy would say. “He has very specific care and if you could just get us to C3 I know everything will be fine.”

That trust was earned visit by visit. Nurses brought fold-out beds when family stayed overnight. They took Scott’s wish to live as ‘normal’ a life as possible to heart, letting the family transform Scott’s room into something that felt like home, with photographs on the walls, lamps, a Nintendo Switch, and home movies. “The nurses have such a great family-centered approach to care,” says Jessica Marsh, Scott’s sister-in-law. “They really empowered Scott and empowered us.”

L to R: Scott and his family at his 35th birthday, members of the C3 nursing team, Scott’s family presenting the funds raised by SkiddleyFest

“It was painfully obvious that these people were doing the absolute best they can, sometimes under difficult situations, to make Scott’s time as good as possible and give him the best chance,” says Scott’s father, Rob. “We always felt that everybody was trying to go the extra mile for him.”

Even when Scott’s prognosis changed for the worse, he was unwavering in his determination to seize every day, to find joy where he could, and fight for time and quality of life. “Our only job was to try and facilitate that,” says Scott’s brother, Tom. “And C3 understood the assignment.”

When Scott turned 35 on May 17^th of last year, the family wanted to give him a birthday party. Social workers found a room. The nurses worked out a medication schedule that would let Scott attend. His day nurse travelled back and forth from C3 to the birthday room to administer his pain medication so he would not have to leave. Sixty people showed up to celebrate Scott. Family, friends and fellow musicians gathered, chatted, sang, played guitar and celebrated. Scott called it the best party he had ever had.

Sadly, Scott passed away in early July 2025. In the months that followed, his friends and family channeled their grief into action. “Scott brought people so much happiness and joy and generosity,” says his mother, Gay. Carrying that generosity forward felt like the right way to honour him.

Scott was a fixture in Hamilton’s music scene, and so naturally, the tribute took the form of a music festival. SkiddleyFest came together in just seven weeks, drawing hundreds of people, each with a personal connection to Scott. This gathering was a chance for his friends to share their love, their music and their loss. Together, they raised more than $15,000 to support the highest priority needs on the C3 unit, helping empower that beloved team to continue delivering exceptional care. Plans for a second SkiddleyFest are already underway.

Journeys like Scott’s are carried by oncology nurses whose specialized knowledge and training, clinical judgment, skill and compassion guide patients and families through the most complex and vulnerable stages of care. They are dedicated to addressing each patient’s oncological needs while caring for the whole person, not just the disease. On Oncology Nursing Day, we recognize these nurses for the care they deliver, and for the humanity they bring to it by helping patients like Scott live fully, even in the hardest moments.

The Prosthetics and Orthotics department at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), the largest of its kind in Canada with over 10,000 patient visits annually, is setting a new standard in patient care. HHS has become the first public health care facility in Canada to adopt advanced 3D printing technology for prosthetics and orthotics on such a broad and comprehensive scale.

A generous gift of $1 million from Hamilton and District Senior Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc. enabled the purchase of a 3D printer system that allowed the clinical teams at HHS to dream bigger. Their willingness to invest boldly in something new is already paying off — providing access to cutting-edge prosthetic and orthotic care for both pediatric and adult patients that can now benefit from its availability in the region.

The system includes two printers: one large unit fabricating more rigid material, and a smaller one providing softer, more flexible elements. Together, they allow for unprecedented customization – as demonstrated by a child’s orthotic featuring a hard outer shell with a Batman motif and a soft inner lining that sits against the skin. This technology adds complexity without adding cost, time, or labour, reduces waste, and expands patient choice in how devices are fabricated, their comfort and what they look like.

Says Brad Haardeng, Clinical Manager of Prosthetics & Orthotics, “People tend to get pretty excited about new technology.” This new 3D printer system is enabling the clinical team to pioneer on multiple fronts: finding novel opportunities to collaborate across hospital departments and exploring unexpected uses, including burn masks for HHS’s burn unit. It also positions HHS to attract and retain the brightest minds in the field. “It’s incredible to see how this technology is changing lives,” adds Danielle Petruccelli, Geriatrics and Rehabilitation Program Director.   “Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re able to offer patients care that’s not just innovative but truly life changing.”

Hamilton and District Senior Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc. were recently hosted to see the facility and their donation hard at work. “We are so impressed and so happy we could make this donation,” said Gedas “Butch” Blekaitis, a board member of Hamilton and District Senior Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc. “It was so exciting and interesting to tour the facility here at HHS and see the impact that the innovative 3D printing is making on patients’ lives,” added Loretta Stankus, another board member.

Leslie Gillies, VP Post-Acute Care, Clinical Practice & Education and Chief Nursing Executive, captured the spirit of the day: “To see everyone focused on this goal of improving people’s lives is just amazing. We are so grateful for Hamilton and District Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc.’s generosity and their vision in investing in this technology.”

Hamilton and District Senior Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc. also funded a robotic exoskeleton and Zero-G gait and Balance system for the Regional Rehabilitation Centre at Hamilton General Hospital, as well as a donation to benefit priority equipment at St. Peter’s Hospital. 

These investments reflect what becomes possible when community generosity and medical innovation meet. We are deeply grateful to Hamilton and District Senior Citizens’ Home RAMBYNAS Inc. for their community leadership and compassion in support of groundbreaking innovation to benefit the patients, families, and caregivers of HHS.

When Kate was just three weeks old, a routine checkup with her family doctor revealed that she wasn’t gaining weight. The doctor acted quickly, sending Kate to McMaster Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. That referral saved her life.

Kate was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency – a condition that prevents the body from producing enough cortisol to respond to physical stress. Without treatment, even a cold or stomach flu could trigger life-threatening complications. The care team began the complex work of stabilizing Kate’s health and building a medication plan that would help her body do what it couldn’t on its own.

“When we got sent home, I felt like they prepared me as much as they could,” says Kate’s mother, Melanie.

The team trained Kate’s parents to give medication to a newborn four times a day and use an emergency injection if needed. They also offered 24/7 access to a pediatric endocrinologist, providing expert guidance and reassurance whenever it was needed.

Kate’s early years involved dozens of visits to the hospital, including multiple emergencies. “That was really scary,” says Melanie. “But once we got there, the hospital staff were very helpful. They took us very seriously.”

The emergency team was always prepared when Kate arrived. In addition to urgent care, her condition required ongoing monitoring, blood work and appointments with a range of specialists. Her care included endocrinology, genetic testing and child life support. Having all the expertise in one place made a complex condition more manageable.

Kate quickly built relationships with the team. She grew so comfortable that, by the time she was a toddler, she would walk into the lab, say hello to the technicians, and extend her arm for blood work without fuss. As she grew, child life specialists helped her build confidence in managing her care—teaching her how to speak up about her needs and make sure others knew how to support her.

Today, Kate visits the hospital three times a year for routine care. Her daily life still includes medication, and her family remains cautious around illness. While a mild cold once meant a hospital stay, they can now often manage minor illnesses at home.

McMaster Children’s Hospital continues to grow with Kate. When her longtime doctor moved to a different hospital, her new physician ran updated tests, reviewed her history, and ensured a smooth transition. “We felt instantly at ease,” says Melanie. “She was extraordinarily knowledgeable.”

Now a bright and energetic teenager, Kate enjoys horseback riding, soccer, piano and time with her friends. She keeps busy with school, sports, and a part-time job at a local café. “She’s this perfect combination of kindness and responsibility and vibrancy,” says Melanie.

Behind Kate’s story is a network of donor support. From specialized equipment and child life programming to expert training, donations help ensure families like Kate’s have access to every resource they need.

“It’s a pretty amazing person who donates,” says Kate. “The impact is immeasurable,” Melanie agrees. “I hope everybody does this because we’ve experienced the massive benefits McMaster Children’s Hospital has provided. I hope everybody supports it because it truly changes lives.”

When Clara first reached out for help in 2018, she knew she was struggling but didn’t yet have the words to describe what she was going through. At just 11 years old, she was overwhelmed with feelings of isolation, anxiety, and distress. Navigating the challenges of adolescence was already difficult, but the weight of undiagnosed mental health conditions made it even harder.

Clara first sought help from a therapist at her doctor’s office, but her needs quickly outgrew what that therapist could offer. Halfway through her grade eight year, she was referred to Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, a part of McMaster Children’s Hospital and home to the largest pediatric mental health program in Canada. There, she would finally receive the specialized care she needed to truly begin her path to healing.

A Difficult Transition

High school was supposed to be an exciting time, full of new experiences and opportunities. Instead, it became a period of struggle for Clara. She hadn’t had close friends for about a year, making the transition even more difficult. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routines and online classes made it nearly impossible to connect with new peers. The loneliness and stress built up, making it hard for Clara to keep up with schoolwork or even attend classes.

By the time she arrived at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, Clara had been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. These conditions made everyday life overwhelming, and she needed specialized therapy to manage them. She recalls how OCD, in particular, manifested in her daily life: “Everything felt gross and wrong and just not centered or perfect in the way I wanted it to be.”

Finding the Right Support at Ron Joyce

At Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, Clara was also able to get further diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), that helped her better understand how her mind worked and therefore how to manage it.

Clara was paired with Jennifer Miller, a therapist who specializes in OCD. Initially, she worked one-on-one with Jennifer, learning how to navigate the challenges OCD presented in her daily life.

The sessions started virtually due to the pandemic, they eventually transitioned to in-person meetings, which Clara found far more engaging and effective. At first, she struggled with therapy, feeling resistant to the process. “I felt like it was stupid and awful,” she admits. “But over time, I opened myself up to learning.”

As time went on, her care expanded. Jennifer introduced her to a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) group that included her parents. DBT is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Participating in therapy as a family was a game-changer. “It was really helpful to do therapy together in that way,” Clara says. As a family, they learned about boundaries and how to communicate better. The family therapy helped Clara and her parents to understand each other and for her parents to support Clara in the way she needed.

The Lessons That Changed Her Life

Through her time at Ron Joyce, Clara gained invaluable insights that transformed how she viewed herself and the world around her. One of the biggest takeaways was learning that she wasn’t at the center of everything—an idea that might seem small but was incredibly liberating. “People have their own lives,” she explains. “I have to put myself in their shoes and understand where they were coming from, even if I don’t agree.”

Another breakthrough came in learning how to identify and process her emotions. Before therapy, she often struggled to articulate what she was feeling. With support, she learned to recognize and express her emotions in a way that allowed her to manage them effectively.

A Family’s Journey of Understanding

Clara’s parents played a crucial role in her healing. Initially, they weren’t sure how to help. When Clara first asked for support in 2018, they were confused and unsure of the right steps to take. But as they became involved in her therapy, they gained the tools to support her more effectively. “They’ve been my rocks through this whole time,” Clara says.

Their openness to learning and willingness to grow alongside her made all the difference. The family therapy sessions at Ron Joyce provided a safe space for them to strengthen their bond and ability to support one another effectively.

Looking Toward the Future

Now 17, Clara is preparing to transition out of the Child And Youth Mental Health Program as she turns 18. While she will no longer receive care at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, she is working with specialists to ensure a smooth shift into adult mental health services.

Although the past few months have been challenging, Clara is feeling optimistic. “Since the new year, things have really been looking up,” she says. “I feel like I’m really centered and getting better again.”

The Impact of Donor Support

Clara’s journey with McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Child and Youth Mental Health Program would not have been possible without donor support. The programs and specialized care at the hospital and health care centre are made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in the importance of pediatric mental health care.

Life with Parahemophilia

Every week, 12-year-old Karina arrives at McMaster Children’s Hospital for her treatment. She rolls up her sleeve, chooses which arm to use and which band aid she’ll want, and confidently engages with her care team. She’s been doing this for nearly her entire life.

Karina was just days old when her parents learned she had Parahemophilia, also known as a factor V deficiency, a rare and severe bleeding disorder. After a routine heel prick wouldn’t stop bleeding, her local hospital in Niagara quickly referred her to McMaster Children’s Hospital, where specialized testing confirmed the diagnosis.

A Second Home at McMaster Children’s Hospital

McMaster Children’s Hospital became a second home to Karina and her family. It offered expert care and a place where they could learn and feel supported. “It’s a safe place,” says Karina. “It’s like they’re part of my family.”

McMaster Children’s Hospital is a regional hub for complex pediatric care, meaning families like Karina’s can access the expertise they need all in one place. For children with rare conditions, that proximity can be life-changing.

Parahemophilia affects the blood’s ability to clot, which means that even minor injuries can cause prolonged or spontaneous internal bleeding. Because of her condition, even minor bumps or falls can lead to serious internal bleeds, especially in her joints.

Karina’s treatment includes weekly plasma infusions to replace what her body cannot produce on its own. These hospital visits are essential: there is no take-home version of her medicine.

The hospital’s team of hematologists, nurses, and physiotherapists worked closely with the family, ensuring they never had to navigate it all alone. Her mom, Loretta, learned how to monitor for dangerous bleeds, measure swelling, and stay calm in emergency situations. As Karina matured, they helped her understand her own medical needs in ways she could grasp, empowering her to become her own advocate.

“She’s a tough cookie for all the things that she has to go through,” says Loretta. “She does it with lots of resilience and strength, so I’m very proud of how strong she is and how far she’s come.”

Growing Up with Confidence and Support

Now in Grade seven, Karina educates classmates about her condition and confidently explains her treatments to new friends. She’s even brought them along to the hospital to show them what a day in her life looks like.

For Loretta, the difference McMaster Children’s Hospital has made in their lives is clear. She knows that without the generosity of donors, the expert care her daughter relies on might not be so close to home.

“Donations are the reason why kids like Karina can get the support that they need. We have the care closer to home because of those donations. We don’t have to go all the way to Toronto,” says Loretta. “The more money you have to give the hospital, the more they can give back to their patients.”

Chloe is a bright light.

“Anytime you walk into a room, she’s smiling,” says her father, Conrad. “She always tries to spread happiness to everyone.” With her love for volleyball, arts and crafts, dolls, dancing and singing, Chloe radiates joy.

At just four years old, Chloe began showing symptoms that worried her family. “She was wetting herself at recess,” recalls Conrad. In the diabetes research field himself, Chloe’s father had a gut feeling something wasn’t right. A quick test at home on Halloween confirmed it: Chloe’s glucose levels were dangerously high.

They first went to a local hospital, but Conrad left feeling anxious and uninformed. He called a colleague, who urged him to head to a teaching hospital instead. When they arrived at McMaster Children’s Hospital, everything changed.

“The care I received as soon as I got there… wow,” he says. “A nurse and a child life worker met us right at the ER and let us know what’s going on and that everything was going to be OK.”

Dr. Bassilious formally diagnosed Chloe with type 1 diabetes and immediately offered reassurance. “She’s going grow up to be a healthy woman. She’s going have a great quality of life. Don’t worry, everything will be OK,” she told Conrad, her tone, her compassion, instantly putting him at ease.

McMaster Children’s Hospital is one of Canada’s largest pediatric teaching hospitals and serves more than 77,000 patients each year. As a regional hub for children’s care, it provides highly specialized services that make a life-changing difference for families like Chloe’s.

For Chloe, the team’s approach was empowering from the start. “They actually allow Chloe to be part of the care decisions,” says Conrad. “It’s a conversation with me in adult language and then it’s relayed into her language level so she can understand everything.” Appointments begin with questions about Chloe’s wellbeing, before shifting into medical details. “It helps build her self-esteem, gauges her mental well-being and her owning what she has.”

Today, Chloe visits the Child and Youth Clinic every four months for monitoring and support. With every decision, her holistic wellbeing is the focus. For example, Chloe was recommended two wearable medical devices – a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump – that work together to manage her condition. “It gives us peace of mind,” says Conrad. These devices reduce the number of injections she needs from eight needles daily to just one every three days.

Child Life specialists have been there every step of the way, helping Chloe and her family prepare for future transitions like puberty. They’ve offered guidance on body image and medical devices, helping Chloe feel confident and supported as she navigates this stage of growing up. Additionally, Chloe’s older sister Kaitlyn was offered sessions to help her cope with her sister’s diagnosis and the ever-changing dynamics at home. This quickly became a ‘household’ chronic disease.

Inspired by this support, Chloe has become a passionate advocate. She’s walked the runway in a Diabetes Canada fashion show called Pump Couture, proudly displaying her devices. She’s also offered peer support to other children starting on a CGM.

Conrad credits Chloe’s health and confidence to the comprehensive and child-centered care she has received at McMaster Children’s Hospital. To ensure patients with complex chronic conditions get optimal care, they should go to places like McMaster Children’s Hospital. Taking the time to diagnose, talk, treat and build a relationship is paramount,” says Conrad. “Bundled care makes a world of difference. Anyone who asks me I tell them go to McMaster Children’s Hospital.”

This level of care is only possible thanks to donor support. From emergency care to ongoing clinic visits, donor generosity helps fund essential programs like Child Life, advanced monitoring technologies, and the kind of wraparound care that sees the whole child.

“Even the little arts and craft table helped her take the weight and the burden off what was going on,” says Conrad. “It just allowed her to be a kid.” Whether it’s paint supplies, medical devices, or a reassuring voice, donor generosity helps ensure that children like Chloe receive the exceptional care they deserve today, and for years to come.

We’re turning pain into purpose

That’s how Rosie describes the mission of Isabella’s Warriors, a movement born from the strength and legacy of her daughter, Isabella.

Isabella was a vibrant, funny, and deeply compassionate young woman who left an indelible mark on those around her. She loved to read and dance, had a quick wit, and a knack for delivering dad jokes with perfect timing. She found joy in making others laugh, often at her own expense. “She had a good soul. She was always smiling, always putting others first,” says Rosie.

She was also a dreamer. She had set her sights on teaching English in South Korea and was finishing her certification, saving up, and updating all her health checks to make that happen.

In December 2022, Isabella went for a routine eye exam as part of her preparation to teach abroad. Isabella’s optometrist noticed blood behind her eyes. Often an early sign of diabetes, her doctor ordered blood work. The test results suggested something more alarming than diabetes. On January 23, Isabella received an urgent call while at work that she needed to get to the hospital immediately. Within hours, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a form of blood cancer, and transferred to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre to begin treatment.

From the moment of her diagnosis, Isabella faced an uphill battle. The treatment plan was grueling. She endured the painful lumbar punctures, the side effects of chemotherapy, multiple bone marrow aspirations and biopsies, a major blood clot in her brain and the endless hospital visits with fierce determination. When she was told she was in remission after the first phase of treatment, there was hope. But then came another blow when doctors discovered a chromosomal abnormality that made relapse almost inevitable. A stem cell transplant would be the best option to prevent the cancer’s return.

It was then that Isabella’s family and friends sprang into action.

“This is the first time for a lot of her friends experiencing somebody so close to them being diagnosed and then having to go through transplant,” remembers Rosie. “But instead of shutting down, they rallied.”

They launched a campaign to support patients just like Isabella by encouraging their networks to donate blood, get on the stem cell donor registry, and donate to support Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Friends, family, and even strangers stepped up. Isabella’s story spread, inspiring hundreds to take action.

Shortly before Isabella’s transplant, they held a football tournament that raised over $14,000! Then, Isabella’s parents topped up the donation to make it an even $15,000.

On July 20, 2023, Isabella received her stem cell transplant – a day her family called her “rebirthday.” But the journey didn’t get easier. Complications arose almost immediately. The transplant didn’t fully graft, leading to a series of devastating health challenges, including a relentless condition known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which attacked her gastrointestinal system as well as her liver. She endured nine hospital admissions, totaling 188 days, each one more challenging than the last. “The hospital became our home for a long time,” says Rosie. “And the staff became our family.”

Despite her suffering, Isabella remained a fighter. Even when the illness took a toll on her mental health, she pressed forward. She longed for normalcy, for days filled with reading, dancing, laughter, and planning for her future. But the battle was relentless, and on March 14, 2024, Isabella passed away. She was only 23.

Her mother Rosie, father Nick, brother Johnny, and all those who loved Isabella refuse to let her story end in sorrow. They have turned their pain into purpose, carrying forward the mission of Isabella’s Warriors to support those battling cancer. Their most recent undertaking, a golf tournament in 2024 and 2025, raised $9,000 and more than $10,000 respectively. Her dance studio also fundraised and launched a scholarship in her honour. Her light, humour, and kindness remain a guiding force for all who knew her and all who have been inspired to fight in her name.

Play Games and Fundraise to Help Kids on November 8, 2025.

Sign up for Extra Life

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When Cody was born, doctors at his local hospital in Cambridge feared the worst. He had Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare condition affecting about one in 60,000 births. Born without a sacrum and with severely underdeveloped legs and feet, his family was told he likely wouldn’t survive the night. But the outlook changed when he was transferred to McMaster Children’s Hospital. 

Today, Cody is 35 and thriving. He has two beautiful kids, a career he enjoys, legs that carry him wherever he needs to go, and a heart that still beats with gratitude for the care that shaped his life. 

Cody spent much of the first year of his life at McMaster Children’s Hospital, visiting every two weeks to have his feet cast in hopes of reshaping them for walking. Later, he underwent major surgeries to fuse his feet to his shin bones, since he was born without ankles. These procedures gave him the ability to stand and walk. Recovery meant weeks in heavy casts, time in a wheelchair, and years of follow-up care. 

Despite the challenges, Cody’s memories of being a MacKid are positive. “I never remember being scared while I was there,” he says. “I remember everyone was very nice and I remember the toy rooms and play areas.” Those spaces gave him comfort and introduced him to one of his lifelong hobbies: video games. 

Years later, that passion became a way to give back. Through Extra Life – a community of gamers who fundraise for children’s hospitals across North America – Cody found the perfect way to support the hospital that gave him so much. Each year, participants take on a 24-hour gaming marathon, rallying donations to help local kids. 

“I thought it was such a cool idea,” Cody says. “When I found out I could fundraise specifically for McMaster Children’s Hospital, it felt perfect.” He invited friends to join him, and they jumped at the chance. 

Now in his 10th year of fundraising, Cody says his motivation is simple: “I do it for the many other children and families in need of a miracle.” 

Funds raised through Extra Life support essential equipment, innovative research, and programs that make hospital stays easier for kids, like child life specialists who provide comfort during procedures and playrooms where kids can just be kids. 

By sharing his story and his passion for gaming, Cody is helping ensure that McMaster Children’s Hospital continues to provide life-changing care.  Support Cody’s fundraiser and join him in helping make miracles happen for families across our region. 

“The team at McMaster Children’s Hospital gave me not just medical care, but hope,” he says. “Because of this, I was given opportunity I otherwise would never have had. I have been able to build a life I did not believe I could. I’ll forever be grateful to the teams who helped me become the person I am today.” 

Join Extra Life and make a difference for kids at McMaster Children’s Hospital

Be like Cody and make your game day matter. By joining Extra Life, you’re helping bring joy, comfort, and essential care to kids at McMaster Children’s Hospital. 

With Extra Life, supporting MacKids isn’t just easy, it’s fun! Join them on game day, November 8, 2025, to play games and heal kids. 

Every dollar raised goes directly to funding crucial programs that enhance the care and comfort of children during their hospital stay. Extra Life fundraisers are vital for McMaster Children’s Hospital to continue providing the specialized care and resources that young patients need. 

Sign up for Extra Life

When doctors at Hamilton General Hospital determined that a tumour caused the pain in Ligia’s arm and the lump on her neck, they immediately set to work. When they saw that the cancer was rapidly entwining itself around her spine, clavicle, ribs, and shoulder, they started moving mountains.

Ligia was rushed to start radiation therapy and then chemotherapy, aiming to shrink the tumour and buy time for a team of doctors from across Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) to devise a surgical strategy. The complexity of Ligia’s case demanded a coordinated effort from McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC), Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC), and The General.

“We’re one of only two hospitals in the province that could perform this surgery,” says Dr. Coroneos, a plastic surgeon involved in Ligia’s surgery. “It reflects all the things we do so well…We’re glad we have a capable team to care for people when they need it.”

“As a regional hub for surgical services, we often take care of patients with complex and rare conditions,” adds Dr. Pahuta the surgical lead for Ligia’s case.

Facing long odds with determination

Her doctors were compassionate and capable, eager to answer her questions, ready to use every resource and determined to see her through this. They were also honest about the severity of her condition. The team of surgeons would be essentially taking her apart and putting her back together. The cancer had spread so aggressively that they would have to remove parts of her bones, muscles, tissue and even her lung. There was a very real chance that she would not survive the surgery. Amputating her arm at the shoulder was one of the best-case scenarios she could hope for.

While the health care teams planned, Ligia prepared herself physically, mentally and emotionally for what was to come. Her loved ones rallied to support her in every way they could, and Ligia drew strength from their care and her fierce resolve to see her daughter grow up.

A marathon operation

On November 24, 2021, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, nurses and other health care professionals in The General’s Spine Surgery Clinic, led by Dr. Pahuta, worked meticulously for 32 hours to remove the cancer and rebuild the parts of Ligia it had stolen. They had to remove half her clavicle and two ribs, along with significant muscle and tissue from her throat and neck. They were able to keep her arm but had to remove all its nerves, leaving her without any sensation from the shoulder down.

Waking up from the surgery was disorienting, but as Ligia realized that she was still alive, not paralyzed, and had her right arm, she felt joyous.

“I was feeling grateful. I was feeling happy because I would be seeing my family again.”

Ligia’s recovery journey was arduous, involving extensive physiotherapy, wearing a halo to support her neck for two months and adapting to life with some physical limitations. Still, every day, she grounded herself with gratitude for her life, for time with her daughter, family and friends, and for everyone at HHS – from the surgeons to the cleaning staff to the donors – who helped save her life.

The complex, interdisciplinary care Ligia received at HHS is only possible through the generosity of donors. Your contributions enable the hospital to push the boundaries of medical science and provide life-saving treatments to patients like Ligia. Donate now.

From before she was even born, Claire’s journey with McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) began. Now, at 18 years old, she is preparing for adulthood—something that once seemed uncertain. Throughout her life, one thing has remained constant: the expert, compassionate care she has received at McMaster Children’s Hospital, particularly from the hospital’s cardiology team. 

Leanne, Claire’s mom, first came to McMaster Children’s Hospital when she was pregnant. Her obstetrician in Guelph referred her to prenatal care at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Claire was growth-restricted, and they identified some abnormalities on ultrasound. It was a terrifying time, filled with uncertainty. But at McMaster Children’s Hospital, they found not only answers but also reassurance. 

From the beginning, the hospital’s cardiology team was at the center of Claire’s care. “We saw Dr. Mondal before she was born,” Leanne shares. “He always jokes that he’s known Claire the longest because he saw her on a fetal echocardiogram.” That early connection set the stage for a lifelong relationship with the cardiology team at McMaster Children’s Hospital. 

Claire was born with mosaic trisomy 22, a rare genetic condition that affected multiple areas of her health, including her heart. She spent two months in the hospital after birth, undergoing countless tests and assessments. She was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and pulmonary stenosis, conditions that would require multiple surgeries as well as lifelong monitoring and intervention. 
 

“Ever since I was little I would get excited to go to McMaster,” says Claire. “I was really seen as a person. They took time to answer me.”

“Every single step of the way has been amazing right from the very first appointment,” Leanne says. “They were so kind and took their time to answer all of our questions and reassure us as best as they could.” 

“Ever since I was little, I would get excited to go to McMaster,” says Claire. “I was really seen as a person. They took time to answer me. They prepared me and gave me the tools to understand so I could one day manage my health as an adult.” 

Over the years, cardiology remained a constant thread in Claire’s life. Dr. Mondal performed two heart procedures, and all of her monitoring, follow-up care, and treatment planning happened at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Claire had annual or biannual visits to cardiology where she underwent ECGs, stress tests, pulmonary tests and even sleep studies related to her heart. 

For Claire, having access to such comprehensive care in one place made all the difference. Her condition affected multiple systems in her body. Her care was complex. She also received care from ENT specialists, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons and developmental teams. Because of her heart condition, even things like getting her wisdom teeth out had to happen at McMaster Children’s Hospital, where they could manage any complications. 

“We’ve had countless appointments, countless encounters and hospital stays over the years,” says Leanne. “And I can’t think of one negative thing in all of those times. Never once did we feel rushed or that we didn’t get the attention she needed.” 

Despite the challenges, Claire has thrived. “She was very much at risk for developmental delays, but because of the care she got early she’s able to do all activities that other kids could do right through till now.” 

Today, Claire is attending college to become a social services worker. “I love working with kids and youth who have disabilities,” she says. “I just hope to inspire kids that have health conditions that going through what you’re going through is just a small part of you, not your whole identity. It does get better and that you can make the world a better place.” 

She’s also transitioning into the adult health care system, something that both she and her mom find daunting. “I don’t like it,” Leanne admits. “Neither of us do. We’ve known these people her whole life.” Fortunately, Leanne has also described the transition as “seamless” with Dr. Mondal is making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

As Claire moves forward, one thing is clear: the care she received at McMaster Children’s Hospital has given her a future full of possibilities. From fetal diagnosis to adolescence and now adulthood, McMaster Children’s Hospital has been there every step of the way, ensuring Claire’s heart—and her future—remain strong. 

“I’ve said many times that if we hadn’t needed McMaster, we wouldn’t have known how valuable they were. We could never pay it back in, a million years, and I think every donation to go towards the care for the kids like Claire is worth it. They all deserve that level of care and that support is so important.”