Tes Eusebio believes wholeheartedly that her daughter, Gianna, is alive today because of the great care she received at Children’s Hospital.

And we believe wholeheartedly that Gianna is alive today because of supporters like you.

Imagine holding something in your hand that weighs one single pound. That’s about the size of a cell phone in the palm of your hand.

That’s how much little Gianna weighed when she was born, at 27 weeks. She was immediately

rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for care. A few days later, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

It was a terrifying moment for her parents, but Tes and Philip were determined to remain positive to help their newborn daughter through it.

It would prove to be a long fight for little Gianna and her parents. But they weren’t alone!

Over the next 7 months, Gianna was cared for in every single department of the hospital.

Her heart condition meant that her lungs kept flooding with water, so at only one month old she needed heart surgery. Three weeks later, doctors performed laser eye surgery on her, as she was partially blind.

“The treatment and support was so amazing. Everyone there was so good — especially the NICU,” remembers Tes.

Over the years, Gianna has flourished. And a new adventure began for her this March, when she became Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s 2019 Champion Child. For the next 12 months, Gianna and her parents

will travel across Manitoba to share her story, raising money for the Unit that saved her life.

Gianna is a true champion thanks to you!

Gianna in the hospital

— Tes Eusebio, Gianna's Mom

Gianna now

"The treatment and support was so amazing. Everyone

there was so good, especially

the NICU"

Teddy NewsTeddy NewsY O U R D O N O R I M P A C T R E P O R T

C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I TA L F O U N DAT I O N O F M A N I TO B A Summer 2019 Vol. 10

You're saving the lives of our youngest patients

Teddy News | Page 2

We are thrilled to announce that Children’s Hospital’s new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will be opening in December 2019. And when it does, it will be outfitted with the very best equipment available to care for our newborns — thanks to the generosity of our donors.

With your support, we have been able to purchase state-of-the-art equipment like omnibeds (specialized beds required for critically ill newborns), cribs, milk warmers, radiant warmers, incubators, ventilators and more for the new NICU.

Alexis and Johnny Lazo can testify about how incredibly specialized the equipment is that our doctors and nurses rely on to care for newborn babies, especially preemies.

In the midst of a brutal snowstorm in April 2016, Alexis delivered twin girls Tenley and Emilia. The tiny babies were significantly premature. Both made it through delivery but needed immediate and constant care.

They relied on specialized machines to help them breathe, eat and keep warm.

“The staff at the NICU helped my entire family,” says Alexis. “I was surrounded by brilliant people who help these babies fight every day.”

“It takes an amazing team of people, and an incredible hospital, to make one feel safe when they are going through such a vulnerable time.” “To all the patients and family members sitting the endless hours at the NICU, my heart is with you.”

With the help of donors like you, we have a new Family Integrated Care (FICare) Veteran Parent Program in which parents are guided by experienced families and encouraged to become partners in their infant’s care.

“Parents with babies in the NICU experience a wide range of emotions and a roller coaster of stress,” says Doris Sawatzky-Dickson, retired NICU Clinical Nurse Specialist. “With this program we bring parents together to support each other and to receive support from veteran parents who are an example to them that they too can get through this difficult time.”

Because of your support this incredible program is improving the lives of sick kids and their families long after their time in the NICU is over.

Tenley and Emilia’s story

NICU Veteran Parent Program

Do you have a NICU story you’d like

to share? We would love to read it. Just email it to

communications@goodbear.ca or share it online at

goodbear.ca/ways-to-help/share-your-story.

Double the smiles,

double the love

Teddy News | Page 3

We all know now just how important breastfeeding is — for both mothers and babies. Now, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba’s Dr. Meghan Azad is unlocking the true power of breastmilk with

research that shows it may protect against infant obesity, allergies, asthma and more.

Dr. Azad is studying how early-life exposures and experiences shape lifelong health. And, of course, one of the very earliest exposures babies have is to their mother’s breastmilk.

Dr. Azad and her research team have recently discovered a link between artificial sweetener consumed during pregnancy and infant obesity. And how maternal peanut consumption during breastfeeding may in fact help protect infants from developing peanut allergies later in childhood.

“What’s interesting about this study is that it is the first to consider peanut exposure through breastfeeding together with direct exposure before 12 months old,” says Dr. Azad.

Food allergies have been on the rise in recent decades and approximately 7% of Canadian children have a food allergy, with peanut being the most common. Learning how to prevent allergies through maternal food choices during breastfeeding could be a major step in helping more children live allergy-free.

Learn more about the incredible research being done with your support at chrim.ca.

Breastmilk may protect against allergies and more

When Ryder Rodriguez was born premature eight years ago, he received something special — a small green beanie that was used to keep his tiny head warm.

Ryder’s mother, Rhonna — always remembered this green beanie. When she came across leftover yarn when cleaning out her closet, she knew she wanted to provide the same comfort and warmth to preemies and newborns in the hospital.

Ryder jumped on the idea to help give back, and soon 10 beanies turned into 400 beanies. In the beginning, Rhonna told Ryder it would take a lot of yarn and would cost too much money. But with Ryder’s passion and determination “Beanies for Preemies” was launched. In the end, Ryder helped raise enough money to pay for yarn to make over 400 beanies and to also

make a $500 donation to Children’s Hospital and a $500 donation to two other local children’s charities.

Ryder adds, “I would tell other kids who want to help that any help is good — no matter how big or small. Other kids could do a bake sale, 50/50 draw, lemonade stand or anything they are good at to help.” If you want to be like Ryder and help kids in the hospital visit goodbear.ca to see how you can get involved.

Kids Helping Kids – Beanies for Preemies Project

Dr. Meghan Azad

Ryder raised

money for "Beanies

for Preemies"

CE501-840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1S1 Tel: (204) 953-KIDS (5437) Toll-free: 1-866-953-KIDS (5437) www.goodbear.ca Join us on:

Many years ago, Donna Askew realized she had a special passion for helping sick children to feel better. That passion became both her career and her calling.

It’s also made her one of the very best friends this hospital has ever had.

Back in 1965 Donna came to the Children’s Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to work as a nurse here for nearly 50 years: in the NICU, the Neonatal Transport Team, the Children’s Clinic and the Immunization Program.

She has also been an active member of the Children’s Hospital Guild since she first arrived as a nursing student.

With Donna’s help, this amazing team of volunteers has raised over $3 million for the children in our care — nearly $200,000 last year alone.

The Guild runs Sew4Kids, the Nearly New thrift shop, the Gift Shop, the Bear Essentials Fashion Show, Bake & Trinket Sales, Goldeyes 50/50 ticket sales, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and so much more.

Every penny that these fantastic volunteers raise goes to programs and equipment to support our kids. There are over 140 members of the Guild, but new volunteers are welcomed with open arms.

“When I had my four sons, knowing Children’s Hospital was there became more important with every passing year,” says Donna.

“My love of Children’s Hospital and the children in my care has always been the root

of my association with the Guild. It is most important to do the very best I can for the

children receiving care — making them well, with the least amount of suffering.”

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Upcoming EventsDairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

August 8th, 2019, at Dairy Queens across Manitoba

 Children’s Hospital Book Market

September 26th-28th, 2019, at St. Vital Centre

 Ice Crystal Gala

Save the date for  November 17th, 2019

 Bear Essentials Children’s

Hospital Guild Fashion ShowOctober 17th, 2019, at Fort Garry Hotel

Sew4Kids Guild members hard at work

Bear Hugs to Donna and our Guild Volunteers!