Last year more than 86,000 children were treated at the B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital and nearly 550 of those patients came from Greater Victoria and many of their health issues were life-threatening.
The hospital is the only full-service hospital dedicated to children in B.C. and the Yukon and for many families it provides hope, even a second chance at life for our most vulnerable citizens.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 certainly been the case for a LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Emma Locke, who with a remarkable level of poise and courage, entered the hospital in May to have a hole in her heart repaired by the surgical team at B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚.
The condition, known as atrial septical defect, was discovered before she was born and was congenital. EmmaB次元官网网址檚 older sister required open heart surgery at three, but her younger brother was born without the defect.
As Emma grew it was hoped the hole would mend itself, but although she thrived in life and grew to be an active, happy little girl, tests showed the hole was growing larger.
Surgery was required. Naturally the idea of heart surgery might reasonably be expected to cause a level of stressful, almost paralyzing anticipation. Not for Emma.
B次元官网网址淪he is an amazing little girl, thatB次元官网网址檚 certain,B次元官网网址� said her mother, Jennifer Locke. B次元官网网址淪tarting about November of 2015, we talked about her surgery and Emma wanted to do something to raise money to help support the hospital.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 wanted to do something to help other kids,B次元官网网址� said Emma, now 11. B次元官网网址淚 know there are other kids like me and I wanted to help buy equipment for the hospital so they could keep helping (those children).B次元官网网址�
In February 2016, only months before her own surgery, she launched Two Hearts, One Wish, a charity designed to raise money for the hospital through the sale of handmade bracelets.
The initiative has been successful, not only in raising $2,865 to date, but in engaging school friends, neighbours and others who have been inspired by the little girlB次元官网网址檚 courage and selflessness. Emma has become an ambassador for the hospitalB次元官网网址檚 cause, appearing at a series of events to tell her story, sell bracelets and encourage the generosity of potential donors.
On Sept. 10 at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, her story will be one of many told at a gala fundraising event dubbed Harvest on the Harbour B次元官网网址� A Night Under the Stars. The night will feature a silent auction, a gourmet four-course meal, live music and dancing. EmmaB次元官网网址檚 story will be told to those in attendance and event organizer Nicole MacKinnon, the hotelB次元官网网址檚 director of sales and marketing, is certain her story will resonate with those in attendance.
B次元官网网址淓mma, and others like her, is what this event is all about,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e thrilled to be able to host this event to raise money and awareness of the wonderful work being done at the hospital.B次元官网网址�
Tickets for the event and more information are available at . Or call the hotel at 250-360-2999.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
