Doctors told Tamara Fisher it was a miracle that her daughter, Evanne, diagnosed with a non-functioning heart, was even born on Oct. 2, 2004.
They had also told the single mother that due to her daughterB次元官网网址檚 rare heart defects, she should terminate her pregnancy when she was four-and-a-half-months along. Later on, after EvanneB次元官网网址檚 month-old body was struggling to survive experimental heart surgery, the surgeon told Tamara that procedure had been a mistake.
Tamara knew her unborn childB次元官网网址檚 chance at life hinged on a heart transplant. She turned to the David Foster Foundation, providers of financial assistance for families whose children are in need of life-saving organ transplants. Tamara had the foundation backing her and her choice.
B次元官网网址淭hey take you on as a part of their foundation and family, but theyB次元官网网址檝e also got the business aspect of it and theyB次元官网网址檙e able to separate the two,B次元官网网址� Tamara said. B次元官网网址淎t your time of need, itB次元官网网址檚 perfect for you, because you need someone to empathize with you, but also take control of the situation.B次元官网网址�
The foundation arranged for TamaraB次元官网网址檚 travel and accommodations to Toronto where Evanne was treated at the Hospital for Sick Children.
But despite the resources available, her initial surgery left EvanneB次元官网网址檚 body too weak to receive a heart transplant, should one have become available. When Tamara learned of her daughterB次元官网网址檚 health status, she sat by EvanneB次元官网网址檚 bedside and spoke to the heavily medicated infant, IV lines attached to her head and hands.
B次元官网网址淚 looked at her and said: B次元官网网址業f you need to let go, let go. IB次元官网网址檓 sorry.B次元官网网址� I really felt selfish at that point for having her go through all that. To ask her to keep fighting, I felt really selfish.B次元官网网址�
Within 24 hours Evanne began to grow stronger and within another 24, Tamara got the call. A donor heart was available.
B次元官网网址淵ou want to be excited because the greatest moment and your dream has come true, but you know that a parentB次元官网网址檚 worst nightmare has just occurred. You walk down the hallway of critical care and the nurses are congratulating you and theyB次元官网网址檙e smiling and happy, and inside youB次元官网网址檙e overjoyed, but to be excited seems wrong.B次元官网网址�
On Nov. 9 doctors performed a successful heart transplant on Evanne. By the spring of 2005, Tamara and Evanne were able to return home to Greater Victoria.
Tamara gives full credit to the David Foster Foundation for the life that Evanne now enjoys as a healthy Grade 2 student at David Cameron elementary in Colwood.
The national charity, founded 25 years ago in Victoria by 16-time Grammy winner David Foster, continues to help cover the Fisher family travel expenses for follow-up care at B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital in Vancouver.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no way that as a single mom, I would have been able to take myself from British Columbia to Toronto, while pregnant and support myself for eight months in downtown Toronto. When the doctors said B次元官网网址榯erminateB次元官网网址� that would have had to have been my option.B次元官网网址�
The David Foster Foundation is hosting a star-studded B次元官网网址淢iracle WeekendB次元官网网址� of concerts and fundraising events from May 25 to 27 in support of families like the Fishers. ItB次元官网网址檚 far from the foundationB次元官网网址檚 humble beginnings hosting celebrity softball games at Royal Athletic Park.
The Miracle Weekend encompasses two concerts, a gala dinner and an auction of high-profile trips and VIP packages to events such as the Grammys, the Indianapolis 500 and Celebrity Fight Night with Muhammad Ali.
Tickets for the Saturday (May 26) Miracle Concert, featuring performances by Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Ruben Studdard, The Canadian Tenors, Kenny G and Sinbad, were available at 250-220-7777 or selectyourtickets.com.
Prices range from $125 to $250. All proceeds go to the David Foster Foundation. For more information see davidfostermiracleconcert.com.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
