Help Make Us Mighty
As one of the world’s top pediatric hospitals, BC Children’s is leading the way in shaping the future of care. We’re making bold advancements in personalized medicine that target the root cause of a child’s illness. We’re determined to put an end to chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma that rob kids of the joys of childhood. We’re helping to change the odds for the most aggressive cancers—and ensuring children and teens receive timely access to mental health care.
By participating in the Festival of Trees, you’re bringing us closer to achieving our most ambitious goals for children’s health. Your contribution will fast-track breakthrough research, equip the hospital with advanced technologies and ensure kids receive care tailored to their unique needs.
Thatcher Stephens: A Story of Resilience and Hope
Thatcher Stephens, the three-year-old grandson of Kootenay Savings Board Director John Stephens, is a bright and joyful child who loves diggers, playing in the sand, and all things Spider-Man. But Thatcher's life has been anything but typical. At four months old, he was diagnosed with stage 4s neuroblastoma after doctors discovered a 7cm tumour on his kidney, along with a tumour behind his eye, and an enlarged liver and soft tissue with too many tumours to count.
Thanks to the incredible care at BC Children’s Hospital and the support of life-saving research funded by community initiatives like the Dream Lottery, Thatcher underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and as of August, is considered "clinically well." While he still has a small, non-cancerous remnant of his original tumour, Thatcher is thriving and continues to inspire everyone around him with his resilience and joy.
This holiday season, we’re proud to share Thatcher’s inspiring story as part of the BC Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees. To honour his journey and support the vital work being done at BC Children’s Hospital, we’ve launched a donations page. Every contribution helps fund groundbreaking research and ensures that more children like Thatcher receive the care they need to grow up happy and healthy.
Together, we can help more kids like Thatcher grow up healthy and happy.
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Thatcher, you are small but mighty!