Larkin looks at the plastic fish and bubbles

Larkin Pottle was born four years ago with tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia, and subglottic stenosis of her trachea — conditions that severely restricted her ability to breathe on her own. Her parents, Rhonda and Brent Pottle, struggled with the tracheotomy that allowed her to survive the process. As she grew, breathing on her own started to look

Like a possibility; surgery to allow this to happen was the next step for the Pottle family. Tracheotomies are one of the most vital surgical procedures in modern medicine, but they are actually very old. The surgery is depicted on Egyptian artifacts more than 5,000 years old and described in Sanskrit texts from around 2,000 BC. A tracheotomy involves placing a tube through an incision in the neck to bypass the nose and mouth and allow air directly into the trachea. Every year they save countless lives; but for most young children who have undergone the procedure,

a normal life doesn’t begin until the tube has been successfully removed. That can prove to be difficult.

Dr. Liane Johnson uses a scope to view Larkin’s airway.

That’s where Dr. Liane Johnson comes in. Dr. Johnson is a pediatric airway surgeon at the IWK, the only doctor in Atlantic Canada to perform a specialized form of airway reconstruction surgery in children. The innovative technique involves using the child’s own rib cartilage to expand the scarred airway to attempt to achieve a normal diameter airway (air passage). Because the technique relies on tissue from the child’s own body, there are no issues with rejection.

Dr. Johnson learned the complex procedure during a two-year fellowship at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center under world-renowned pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Robin Cotton, who pioneered the technique 30 years ago. She has already performed about 20 of the surgeries at the IWK. She says the procedure offers the patient and family a degree of independence that is life-changing.

“With proper patient selection, they can be very successful surgeries,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see the results.”

Larkin Pottle’s conditions were serious and because she needed constant medical care, Larkin could never be left alone. This left her family with the task of learning how to take care of her properly at home. Any kind of mucus plug or blockage of the tracheostomy tube could also be disastrous. It was a 24-hour-a-day job for Rhonda and Brent,

one that required plenty of professional help. “We had to get professional respite care at night so that we could get some sleep,” says Rhonda.

Rhonda Pottle cuddles her daughter Larkin Pottle as they wait for Larkin’s appointment at the IWK.

Along with the basic skills that every new mother learns — feeding Larkin and changing her diapers — Rhonda quickly became adept at a number of medical techniques, including suctioning a tracheotomy tube and performing mouth to trach resuscitation. If Larkin accidentally removed the tracheostomy tube, the Larkin family had to be prepared to perform CPR.

“It’s not that difficult. Anyone can learn to do it as long as they’re not afraid of it,” says Rhonda. Larkin was approaching her second birthday when doctors discovered she was breathing through her nose and mouth around the tracheotomy tube. It was good news. It meant the airway was growing and the problem was correcting itself. But scar tissue had formed, and Larkin’s airway needed to be repaired before the incision in her trachea could be permanently closed.

This picture was taken at the level of the vocal cords showing complete obstruction of the subglottic airway, just beyond the vocal cords.

Rhonda began the search for a doctor who could do the surgery. She and her husband had already made plans to travel from their Stephenville, Newfoundland home to Cincinnati to meet with Dr. Cotton when they heard about the IWK program. “I heard there was a doctor in Halifax who had studied with Dr. Cotton and was using the same procedure.” The Pottle’s first visit to Halifax was a little disappointing. Dr. Johnson examined Larkin and told the family to come back in three months for reassessment as it was

too soon for the operation. “That’s the hardest thing to say to parents: ‘She’s not ready,’” says Dr. Johnson. “But if you do the surgery too early the consequences can be devastating. The last thing I want to do is set up a spiral of failure. Sometimes it’s just safer to wait.”

This picture was taken just below the vocal cords showing a completely open subglottic airway following placement of rib grafts.

When the day finally came, it was a long one. The Pottles spent eight hours waiting for Larkin’s surgery to end. Dr. Johnson constructed two rib grafts to expand the damaged airway, placing them carefully in the trachea below the little girl’s voice box. When it was over she was sedated and ventilated in the intensive care unit for nine days, but after stent removal she was soon breathing on her own. It was a success.

There have already been many milestones for the Pottle family. Larkin had a bout of the flu during the winter – a normal rite of passage for most four-year-olds, but one that would have brought on a serious medical crisis before the surgery. This time it was no big deal, says Rhonda. The family left for a Florida vacation in March, the first family trip since Larkin was born that didn’t centre around a medical appointment. Most importantly, Larkin is gaining a measure of independence that she didn’t have before. She’s getting ready to attend preschool and is making friends her own age for the first time. “She loves other kids,” says Rhonda. “Finally she can be a kid herself.”

To read the full issue of Izaak magazine visit www.iwkfoundation.org/izaak

Make a gift to the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

To add to the merriment, on Saturday evening we debuted “These Hands” – a very special video created in collaboration with Canadian Folk/Celtic singer-songwriter, Dave Gunning.  Direced by Scott Simpson of Playmaker Films, this video showcases the incredible strength and community inside the IWK Health Centre.

We are proud to announce that “These Hands”, co-written by Gunning and George Canyon, is the East Coast Music Awards 2013 Song of the Year! The song accompanies a children’s book by the same name, which teaches us that every person has the ability to be a hero of the human kind.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book supports the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

Thank you Dave Gunning for your incredible support and commitment to improving the lives of Maritime families who rely on the care of the IWK.

“I was excited to be involved with this project because of the great work that’s done by both the staff at the hospital and the Foundation,” says Gunning. “I’m very proud to have the song being used for such a great purpose.” 

Hope you enjoy the video, please feel free to share it!

Make a gift to the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

This past weekend was a busy one for the IWK and the IWK Foundation, but only one event brought the crowd to their (dancing) feet. The Bedford Masonic Lodge 104 held Free Bird, a rockin’ benefit concert in support of Mental Health Awareness, at the Lower Deck Bar & Grill on May 26. This event benefited several mental health organizations, including the IWK Health Centre.

The incredible generosity of the Masonic Lodge did not stop there; the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia recently announced they will be donating $10,000 to mental health care at the IWK! Their donation will go a very long way to changing lives through excellence in care.

Events like Free Bird not only raise much-needed funds, they also bring our community together to create an open dialogue on mental health. This is a conversation that must keep going! One of the Health Centre’s goals is to remove the stigma that exists around mental illness, and the more we all talk about it and share our experiences, the faster we will move toward positive change.

The crowd at Free Bird was treated to concerts by local bands who played everything  from rock to swing-influenced tunes. Bands included: Loose Ends, Swingology, Remedy, Memphis Nights, and The Take It Easy Band. A silent auction and 50/50 draws rounded out the event perfectly.

We are so grateful to the Bedford Masonic Lodge 104 and the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia for their generosity and for including us as a beneficiary of this unique event – and to the community as a whole for attending and supporting this very important cause.  Your contribution will surely change lives; together, we really can make a difference.

Swingology had people up and dancing the night away!

Loose Ends rocking the stage!

To me, Telethon means a time to recognize why we are here and what the IWK means to our community and to our families.

Mary Thibeault, Halifax Phone Volunteer Trainer and Hilary.

As a long time employee of the IWK in clinical practice, management and support roles, I have had the privilege of working with families and staff in both professional and volunteer roles. My first experience with Telethon was over 25 years ago as a staff nurse working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where we shared stories that demonstrated the courage and passion of the most fragile patients and their families. At that time, as now, hearing how the IWK makes a difference to the lives of so many members of our Maritime community instills not only a sense of pride, but also a sense of significance.

I always believed it was important to share that sense of pride and to, in some way, give back what I could. So I started volunteering at the IWK Telethon, first as a telephone operator and eventually as the person responsible for insuring the hundreds of telephone volunteers are trained for their very important role. When my daughter was about three years old, I began bringing her along so that she could see the show and experience the excitement of a television production. I would have her with me during training sessions as my assistant and she would dutifully point to the different parts of a giant pledge form as I would describe how they needed to be completed.

She continued to come with me until one year, at age 11, she decided she had better things to do on a Sunday afternoon and went to a friend’s house instead of coming with me. So I went along conducting the training sessions solo. At the end of one of the sessions a long time telephone volunteer approached me and asked me where my daughter was. He said he had so enjoyed seeing her grow up over the years, it was an important part of Telethon for him, and he missed seeing her that year. I was deeply touched that he had remembered and at that moment began to realize what Telethon means to so many people.

I went home and told my daughter the story. She hasn’t missed a Telethon since. When she turned 13 we decided she was old enough to have her own job at Telethon and she was thrilled when she received her first official Telethon Volunteer name tag. Now, every year, she works as a “runner” on the set taking completed pledge forms to their appropriate location. The IWK Telethon has helped her understand the importance of philanthropy and how just a little contribution of time can mean so much to our community. It is a lesson I could never have taught her myself and one that I am extremely grateful for. That is what being part of the IWK family means. We help make a difference to our community and they help make a difference to us.

Make a gift to the 29th Annual IWK Telethon for Children on CTV.

The Women’s Wellbeing Expo is a great opportunity to gather up your girlfriends, sisters, mothers and daughters and have some fun this weekend.  The Expo will feature a wide variety of exciting informational topics highlighting wellness, personal health issues and financial management. Make sure to catch the incredible line-up of speakers and seminar topics, including several top physicians and experts from the IWK Health Centre team. Here is a list of topics and times for the IWK presenters:

	Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen, MD FRCSC 3 Things You Should Know That Could Save Your Life Saturday, May 25, 2013, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
	Dr. Gillian Graves, MD FRCSC Menopause Saturday, May 25, 2013, 1 pm – 2 pm
	Dr. Susan Lappin, MD Barriers to Breastfeeding Saturday, May 25, 2013, 1 pm – 2 pm
	Dr. Natalie Rosen, BA PhD & Dr. Isabelle Delisle, MD FRCSC Vaginal Pain and Women’s Sexuality Saturday, May 25, 2013, 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
	Dr. Renda Bouzayen, MD FECSC Assisted Reproduction Treatment Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:45 am – 11:45 am
	Margaret Devries, Breast Health Educator Demystifying Breast Health Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:45 am – 11:45 am
	Catherine Walsh, Dietician Women’s Nutritional Health: Navigating the Journey Sunday, May 26, 2013, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. We are very proud to be a part of this unique event, which will bring together education, conversation, and the power of the female spirit. Come and join us for a weekend of fun, wellness, and girl power!

Women’s Wellbeing Expo
May 24, 25 and 26, 2013
Cole Harbour Place
51 Forest Hills Parkway
Dartmouth, NS  B2W 6C6
(902) 464 – 5100

To get full details on all presenters and weekend events, and to purchase tickets, please visit  www.womenswellbeingexpo.com

A life well lived; a legacy that will last forever. St. Clair Nowe of Broad Cove, NS, may not have been famous in the conventional sense, but he will be remembered forever for his generous gift to future generations. Recently, St. Clair left an estate gift to the IWK Health Centre Foundation which will serve Maritime families for years to come.

StClair Nowe

Born in Bridgewater on August 31, 1944, St. Clair graduated from Hebbville High School and Bridgewater Commercial School.  He then spent many years working for the Provincial Government in Halifax.  After returning to Broad Cove, St. Clair lived in his family home for many years where he enjoyed listening to music, cruising in his beloved automobile, and working in the community.  St. Clair Nowe passed away peacefully in July of 2011.

The IWK Foundation team was humbled and honoured when we learned that St. Clair had left an estate gift to the IWK in his will.   His donation will have an incredible impact on patient care, and serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose memory and legacy are held in such high regard.

If only we could have said thank you; he would know how many patients will benefit from his gift.

Through his estate donation, St. Clair has contributed to the continued excellence in specialized care for Maritime women and children.  We are eternally grateful for his generosity, as estate gifts are instrumental in helping the IWK enhance its world-class research in fields such as neonatal and pediatric intensive care, women’s health, and mental health services for children and youth.  Funds also support the purchase of modern technology and equipment.

St. Clair clearly believed in supporting his community, and knew he could make a difference.  We encourage everyone who is thinking about making a planned gift to let us know so that we can celebrate and say thank you for helping us nurture the future of health care.

We all have the ability to make a difference in our community. If we work together, we can help ensure the patients and families who rely on the IWK reach their full potential.   An estate gift is the most important gift you will ever give, and the donation provided by St. Clair Nowe is a shining example of how a planned gift given today ensures a stronger future tomorrow.

The IWK Health Centre Foundation is a proud supporter of the Nova Scotia Leave a Legacy(TM) program.

For more information on how to make a planned gift to the IWK Foundation, please visit www.iwkfoundation.org/plannedgiving.

Kristin Wilton, MSVU Pulbic Relations co-op student.

Here I am, my first public relations co-operative education work term with the IWK Foundation – my dream job! Throughout junior high and high school, I wasn’t exactly sure the route I wanted to take regarding the path of my career. One thing I did know was that I wanted to be involved, in some way, with the IWK. As my choices went from social work to nursing, back to social work, to public relations, I am happy I chose the PR route. Fundraising is definitely a passion of mine which is why I feel that this position will be perfect for me. I know I will gain the experience of a life time with the help of my co-workers throughout this exceptional organization.

On my first day, I met the team and had a tour of the IWK Health Centre. Everyone made me feel so welcome and I got the impression that this organization is full of truly genuine people. I was lucky enough to also get a tour of some of the different rehabilitation services offered at the IWK which was simply amazing. As these services are rather spread apart throughout the Health Centre, the hope is to bring them together to make it more convenient for patients and their families. I saw a variety of different technology that is used for the care of patients. It was a great experience.

I also spent some time getting more familiar with the IWK’s intranet website as well as the IWK Foundation’s website. I browsed through stories, background materials and watched multiple videos of children and their parents talking about the experiences they have been through at the IWK. If someone were to pop into my work space, they would have had found me with a few tears! It is a rewarding feeling to know that I’ll be working for an organization that does so much to help sick children in the best way possible.

I’m looking forward to all that is to come over my next four months here at the IWK Foundation. As the 29^th Annual IWK Telethon for Children will be taking place this upcoming June, I am eager to get involved and get as much experience as I can while taking part in such a large, successful event.

Learn more about the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

The IWK is holds a very special place in my heart. Without them, my life just wouldn’t be the same. At only 27 weeks, I gave birth to my son, Seth, at the Saint John Regional Hospital here at home. He was so tiny! Soon after being born, we experienced a setback as his weight plummeted to just 1 lb 1oz.  But as each day passed, my little man grew stronger, and at 22 days old, we were finally able to hold him for the very first time. Words cannot express that moment.

Baby Seth

Seth soon began experiencing complications once again, and at 36 days old he was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a potentially fatal inflammatory bowel disease that 10 per cent of premature infants develop, as well as a blood infection. I will never forget the moment that we were told that we were being transported to the IWK in Halifax. Up until then, I always viewed the IWK as a world class facility, however something I would never have a need for.  Five days later, after consultation with the IWK general surgery team, we were boarding the Nova Scotia life flight helicopter and were on our way to the IWK.

Seth fought like a trooper during his 89 day stay in the IWK NICU 2-critical care unit as he faced a number of issues such as,  Necrotizing enterocolitis , infections, apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pneumonia, various blood disorders, serriatia colonization, inguinal hernias, hypospadius, small bowel resection and an Ileostomy.

Although this was an incredibly challenging time for my family, we always felt at ease knowing that our son was being cared for by the best doctors in the Maritimes.

One day, on a bright and sunny afternoon in the IWK gardens, I was able to take my son outdoors for the very first time – he was 125 days old. Soon after, we were able to take him home. Since then, we have returned to the IWK for a Hernia repair and an ileostomy reversal and check up.

Seth, age 4.

We count our blessings every day.  Life would be very different if it were not for care and knowledge of the IWK staff and the special facilities and equipment they use. This is why I am so proud to be a part of an organization that understands the importance of supporting pediatric health. From April 15 – May 26, 2013 CAA Atlantic offices will be raffling a trip for two to Italy, with proceeds going to the IWK Foundation and the Janeway Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. Funds raised through this raffle will be used to support the most urgent care needs of the hospitals. I worked at CAA and participated in our fundraising initiatives for the IWK each year for five years before my donations and efforts took on a whole new meaning.

If it were not for the IWK team, facilities and equipment, the very best part of my life would not be alive today!

Make a gift to the IWK Foundation.

Dorothy & Lee at the IWK Radiothon in Saint John

Volunteering is a part of who I am. Finding a way to give back to my community has always been important to me.  Over the years I have given back to various events and organizations that hold a special place in my heart such as the IWK Health Centre.

Why the IWK you may ask? Although I do not have a personal connection to the Health Centre there are many individuals in my life who have benefitted from its services. We all know of someone whose life has been touched by the outstanding care that the hospital provides. This is why I jumped at the opportunity to get involved with this remarkable organization.

The health and wellbeing of children has always been a passionate interest of mine, so volunteering for the IWK Foundation felt like a natural fit for me. Last year, the IWK held its inaugural Radiothon in Saint John. Having experience as a training coordinator, I volunteered to help coordinate other volunteers needed to help make this event a success. I even recruited my husband Lee who jumped at the opportunity to get involved.  Although I knew that this would be a fun opportunity, it was better than I could have ever imagined! The energy that filled McAllister Place during our two-day Radiothon in 2012 was contagious, as the phones rang with calls from individuals from all over the Greater Saint John area who wanted to give to help advance critical care at the IWK. It was inspiring.

Last year I was approached to assist with the organization of the 2013 IWK Telethon at the Saint John broadcast site. It was an easy decision to make! I’m honoured to be involved with an organization that touches so many peoples’ lives. It feels good to give back to my community and if you have a chance to volunteer with this great cause in some form or another I urge you do it.  I’m excited to see what this year’s IWK Telethon will bring, and I have no doubt that it will be the best one yet!

Dorothy Miller, Chair, Saint John Telethon Operations Committee & Volunteer Coordinator, Saint John Radiothon

Volunteer  with the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

Make a gift to the IWK Telethon for Children on CTV. 

Dear Friends:

Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Health Centre Foundation

April marks that special time of year where we take time to recognize and celebrate the hundreds of volunteers who give their time in support of the IWK Health Centre.

At the IWK Foundation we strive to raise funds year-round to support the most urgent needs of the Health Centre. We couldn’t do this without the support of our volunteers. Two of our largest annual fundraisers – the IWK Telethon for Children and our various Radiothons, would not be possible without the helping hands of volunteers, like you. You help us to continuously make positive change at the IWK.

The contributions you make in your community to further advancements in specialized care for Maritime youth and children are invaluable. Each of you plays an integral role in our fundraising success. For example, Jim Nickle in Halifax offers office support when we need a hand. In Saint John, Sue Steeves lends her leadership talents by managing our phone banks and phone volunteers at Telethon. For the Côté Family in Cape Breton, they volunteer by sharing their personal IWK story. Candace Woodside in Charlottetown helps ensure that all our PEI Radiothon volunteers and staff are well-fed during the two-day broadcast.

As you can see, volunteers are at the core of our organization. We want to make sure that you understand and feel just how valued and respected you are.

From the bottom of our hearts – thank you for giving. By donating your time and your spirit you help to further specialized care at the IWK. Now that’s something you should be extremely proud of!

With Gratitude,

Jennifer Gillivan,
President & CEO, IWK Health Centre Foundation

Volunteer with the IWK Foundation.