Every day we are inspired by the bravery of our patients and their families. Their stories motivate us to do all we can to improve the lives of sick children today and for many generations to come. We are proud to be able to share their stories with you.

Mckenna, age 6

Bright-eyed Mckenna is wise beyond her years.  At just shy of 5 years of age she began showing signs of the flu. When the flu-like symptoms didn’t go away, Mckenna’s concerned parents took her to their local hospital where she was diagnosed with a very large benign brain tumour.

Mckenna underwent two surgeries at Children’s Hospital to remove the tumour, which was causing a severe blockage of her brain’s fluid pathways, followed by a 10 day stay in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit. Nearly six weeks after her ordeal began, Mckenna was well enough to return home with her family to Windsor.

Thanks to the team at Children’s, Mckenna is happy, healthy and pain free! She continues to visit Children’s for  regular checkups. 

Today she is a typical first grader who loves fairies and princesses, takes dance lessons and has a terrific sense of humour. Mckenna and her entire family are forever grateful for the care and compassion they received at Children’s.

“The entire team that oversaw her care, including neurosurgeons, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists, technicians and porters, were professional, compa ssionate and concerned for Mckenna as well as us.” – Karen Metcalfe, Mckenna’s mom.