16  Dr Ironman McCrindle Posted by admin KD CANADA
Supports Dr. ‘Ironman’ McCrindleBrian McCrindle, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), FACCProfessor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto Staff Cardiologist, Division of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children
Senior Scientist, SickKids Research InstitutePaediatric Cardiologist, Dr. Brian McCrindle will be participating in the Ford Ironman competition in Lake Placid on July 25, 2010. Kawasaki Disease (KD) Canada is honoured to partner with Dr. McCrindle in an effort to raise awareness and funds for KD research. Dr. McCrindle will be wearing the KD Canada logo while swimming 3.86km, cycling 180.2km and running 42.2km for a total of 226.6km. Dr. McCrindle is a Super Hero to his many cardiac patients at SickKids. It is only fitting that we support him as he attempts this Herculean challenge.Dr. McCrindle’s research interests include cardiologic aspects of Kawasaki disease particularly assessment and intervention for cardiovascular risk. Dr. McCrindle provides long term care to many young patients with acquired heart disease as a result of Kawasaki Disease at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.There are young children in our communities living with the most serious heart complications due to KD. Children with coronary aneurysms are faced with a lifetime of medication and increased risk of blood clots, stenosis, ischemic heart disease and premature atherosclerosis increasing the risk of heart attack.In order to prevent life threatening heart disease in children, Kawasaki Disease research and education must continue. Please help by sponsoring Dr. ‘Ironman’ McCrindle. All of the money raised will go directly to supporting research into Kawasaki Disease at The Hospital for Sick Children.Donations to support Dr McCrindle and KD Research can be made through SickKids secure online donation please click here | |   | 20 15 Reasons to Walk-Vasculitis Foundation Canada Fundraiser for Vasculitis Research Posted by admin Hello,My name is Sharon Janushewski and I am secretary of the Vasculitis Foundation Canada (VFC). On June 26, 2010 we will be holding our first annual fundraiser, 15 Reasons to Walk. Each year VFC donates money to Vasculitis Research in hopes of finding a cure for Vasculitis. Since Kawasaki Disease is one of the 15 diseases under the umbrella of VFC we are looking for your support with contributions to our fundraiser, as a group or an individual basis. No amount is too small and would be greatly appreciated. The information for the walk can be accessed at our website www.vasculitis.ca which has a link to our walk website http://vasculitiswalk.kintera.org/. Looking forward to hearing from you.Thanks,Sharon JanushewskiSecretaryVasculitis Foundation Canada 20  Ethan Posted by admin Family shares experience with rare disease to raise local awarenessCatherine Whitnall (LINDSAY) When Ethan Adamson developed a mild fever and a runny nose, his parents, Kim and Shaune, thought it was a simple cold.
But when Ethan’s fever spiked, a body rash accompanying his white-coated tongue, severely red eyes and dray cracked lips, they knew it had to be something more; especially when they noticed blood in the toddler’s urine.
“At first, we thought it was Scarlet fever,” said Mrs. Adamson, who didn’t hesitate to take Ethan to the hospital. “But after 24 hours on antibiotics, he wasn’t improving.”
Doctors had theories, but it wasn’t until the two-and-a-half year old was sent to Peterborough that a diagnosis was finally made.
Ethan had Kawasaki disease.
The final diagnosis caught the family off guard.
Aside from being a make of motorcycle, the Adamson’s had never heard of the illness.
Kawasaki disease is a rare illness involving the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes. It most often affects kids under age five. The cause is unknown, but if symptoms are recognized early, children with Kawasaki disease can fully recover within a few days. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can affect the heart.
Diagnosed, Ethan received treatment.
However, he improved only marginally in the first few days, but didn’t get better; in fact, after eight days, his health began to deteriorate.
The Adamsons found themselves headed to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children where Ethan received further treatment and, 17 days after the initial diagnosis, he was finally out of the woods.
“It was all very frightening,” said Mrs. Adamson noting, even after being treated, Ethan was still a shadow of his former self. “He hops all the time. But when we brought him home. . . it just broke my heart; he was so lethargic.”
There were also concerns their seven-year-old daughter Kailey might also fall ill.
Fortunately, Kawasaki disease is not contagious.
If treated quickly with doses of gamma globulin (purified antibodies), serious complications, such as vasculitis - an inflammation of the blood vessels - are often completely prevented. Ethan’s last echocardiogram was fine - he will need one or two more in the coming year - and must take aspirin for a couple more weeks to reduce the risk of heart problems.
Since coming home from Sick Kids on Feb. 27, Ethan has been steadily improving.
He’s “starting to get his hop back”, quips his mother and the nightmares which started after coming home - a product of his hospital experience; being awakened in the middle of the night for monitoring and treatment by staff - are less frequent.
The family hopes to put a positive spin on their experience by raising awareness about the illness.
“We went through this horrible experience and we want to do whatever we can to help others,” said Mrs. Adamson. “If we can spare just one family. . . “
Donations can be made through -[Click Here For More Info]- - click on personal fundraiser page, type and click on Adamson for Ethan’s story - or via mail in care of Katie McHugh-Escobar, Sick Kids Foundation, 525 University Avenue, 14th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2L3 and indicate funds for Kawasaki disease research in honour of Ethan Adamson.
They also encourage parents to be more assertive when it comes to their child’s care.
“I think if we had pushed and had it confirmed earlier. . . ,” said Mr. Adamson. “Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. You have the right, when you leave the hospital, to have all the answers to your questions. And you definitely have to follow up.”
For more information on Kawasaki disease visit www.kdcanada.ca. | | | |
Kawasaki Disease - Animated Heart
Video: The Race for An Answer
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