KICX for Kids raises $250K ahead of schedule

The KICX for Kids campaign managed to get Health Sciences North three state-of-the-art ventilators for newborns two years ahead of schedule.

The campaign, which launched in October 2011, aimed to raise $250,000 in five years, but instead managed to raise the funds in just under three years.

Dr. Sean Murray, director of Health Sciences North's family and child program, said the hospital was able to secure the first ventilator early in the campaign, and purchased the other two shortly thereafter.

The machines are built to specifically accommodate infants, and have been outfitted with extensions to provide newborns with oxygen non-invasively.

Murray said between 30 and 50 infants benefit from the ventilators each year at Health Sciences North.

“At least once a week we're using this,” he said.

At a campaign announcement Thursday, KICX FM general manager Mick Weaver said they will begin the second phase of the KICX for Kids campaign.

The campaign will once again aim to raise $250,000 from the community, but this time the money will go to renovate the hospital's existing treatment room to make it more kid-friendly.

Murray said medical devices and invasive procedures like blood work can be intimidating to children.

“The first time it's not always so bad because they don't know what's going on,” he said. “By the time they get around to having to do it again, it becomes a very scary thing for the kid.”

The new room would keep the medical devices hidden from sight, and would give the room a more colourful decor.

At the press event Thursday, presenters showed an example of a treatment room at a New York hospital decorated with a pirate theme.

The treatment room will be renamed the KICX for Kids Clubhouse after it is renovated.