Laura Fader is from Halifax, Nova Scotia and the mother of Kendra & Kinsey Fader, IWK Patients.
A little over four years ago, when my husband Shawn and I decided to try for a baby we never dreamed that we would come to develop such a close relationship with the IWK.
Kendra & Kinsey Fader, IWK Change Bandits
Our twins, Kinsey and Kendra Fader, were born 3 months premature. At just 1lb 8oz and 2lbs, they were on ventilators in NICU at the IWK for four long months. The girls suffered from kidney failure, degrees of heart failure, premature lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity. Kendra, underwent heart surgery while still 2lbs and Kinsey, laser eye surgery to narrowly escape blindness. At times, it was uncertain if they would even survive and if they did, the degree of life-long impairments we might be left with.
After the girls were released from NICU, Kendra was home no more than a week before being re-admitted to the IWK for severe GI problems. Kendra would go on to require numerous inpatient stays and surgeries, feeding tubes in her stomach and intestines and feedings by a pump 19 hours a day.
Recently, C100 accompanied us as we prepared to send Kendra, off for her 14th surgery. We were thrilled to share this occasion with C100 and the IWK Radiothon, as this surgery was to remove her jejunostomy, the feeding tube in her intestines.
Sacred Heart Change Bandits!
Kendra has recovered well and was more than happy to return to Jr.Primary at Sacred Heart School with her twin sister Kinsey. As a family, we were touched that all divisions of the school – co ed elementary, girls and boys high schools, decided to show support for the girls, by coming together to support the C100 IWK Radiothon. The Jr.Primary Change Bandits have worked hard collecting change this week and we look forward to delivering the money as a group to radiothon on Friday!
The 11th Annual IWK Radiothon on C100 FM will broadcast live from the IWK Health Centre on February 3rd from 6am to 6pm. To make a gift visit www.iwkfoundation.org/halifaxradiothon. With you, anything is possible.
To become an IWK Change Bandit in Moncton, Saint John, or PEI visit www.changebandits.kintera.org.
Spirit of Giving 
June 24, 2013 at 5:31 pm
I was deeply touched by this story. Kinsey and Kendra are two beautiful and amazing little girls, and I admire them because they have been through so much and are still smiling. They are living proof of what a gift life is, and my heart goes out to them and their family. Stay strong Kinsey and Kendra! God Bless You!