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Janna Graham

Help Janna raise 1000

  • Raised $1346.83
    $1000 goal
  • 40.48km run
    40km goal

This May, I'm taking on a 31 day running challenge in support of my local children's hospital!

Every day, over 5,000 children receive care at a children’s hospital in Canada and by supporting me, you’ll be helping fund life-saving research at your own local children’s hospital. Funds for research are needed now more than ever, and your support will allow researchers to uncover new cures and gentler treatments for kids.

Show your support by donating now!

Help Me Reach My Goal!

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$1,347

My Goal

$1,000

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I'm running for IWK

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$250 Raised
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$1000 Raised
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Updates

Reasons 9-12

Wednesday 13th May
Reason 9 - Parents
Today I ran for parents, the parents who have lived or are yet to live some of the scariest moments; the ones we pray never to come. As I ran, I held that moment, the one where we have to courage up and move forward.
I have had those moments, the unknown, the inability to fix, the isolation. If you ever find yourself there, I'm here for you. I've got you and today I carried you with me.
If you would like to support the families of the IWK, I encourage you to donate to my running challenge. If you're looking for a more long-term donation, reach out and I can share some ideas.

Reason 10 - Rehab Services
Our time with the rehab clinic was time well spent. Our child was cared for by a team that was shaped for his individual needs. Options for team members include a doctor, nurse, OT, PT, dietitian, and other experts.
This team focuses on inclusion, accessibility and adapting. They also support skill development, interventions, and addressing the needs of the child. They work with children who are recovering or living with something. I can't say enough good things about them, they look at all the ways to make sure a child is on the same playing field as their peers.
Rehabilitation Services | IWK Health https://share.google/ZSvsnBK06Mmmmmtwk

Reason 11 - General surgery
We have been for day surgery 3 times, once was in the June after COVID, as things started to reopen. Going in as the adult, you have to play it cool and set the tone, meanwhile you're wildly nervous on the inside. The nursing team is so good there and ensure that your child is calm and well prepared before they leave you. (They also ensure that the adults are calm and well taken care of.)
We received updates throughout and they gave a toy and popsicles after recovery. The care this staff has for children is wonderful and sets parents up for the best waiting time possible.
This is where we received the blue squid (which is a purple octopus) and a reason I will share later in the month.

Reason 12- The Challenge
So a fun fact about me is I like a good challenge. I like to do something that I know is tough. I have given up both cheese and tea for Lent (I'm not Catholic). I do it for the challenge and yes, cheese was way tougher.
After literally sitting for 8 months every night working on my schooling something had to change so I took this challenge in part to motivate a change in habit. It's not easy but here I am, stubborn and moving ahead.

Reasons 4-8 (I fell behind on here)

Wednesday 13th May
Reason 4: Respiratory Therapy.
This clinic supports a variety of lung topics. For us, they provided equipment options, therapy options for clearing during chest colds, and access to pulmonary lung function tests.
One can't always predict what their child may need until they need it. This clinic helped us, and many others, prepare and anticipate, which is a great reason to donate.
Respiratory Therapy | IWK Health https://share.google/5CGKGFXx5srE8ZcxY

Reason 5- Specialty Seating
This department provides expertise on all things seating and mobility. They work as a team to meet the individual needs of the child to help them, and their families, experience life more safely and comfortably.
They support families through advocating and offering guidance for new considerations with chair use, transfer, and transportation.
This is where we purchased our first chair and it opened up family adventures more. One of the things I really appreciated about this team was the check-ins to see how things were going and the appointments to make adjustments without me needing to contact them. We felt supported.
Specialty Seating and Mobility | IWK Health https://share.google/eUQJxoKkw6MwDGZtb

Reason 6- Blood Collection 
You have to have some mad skills for this gig, and the actual drawing of the blood is only part! This team does an excellent job at distraction and their no-stress demeanor keeps kids calm and willing. And of course, there's always a prize at the end- finger puppets and stickers for the win! 
I think this team is why we have a kid who hasn't required us to hold him for collections in years. They set him up for success.

Reason 7- To Give Back
The IWK has been an immeasurable source of support for my family and helping support its team and the reaseach they do is important to me. So with that...
THANK YOU!
I set a goal of raising $500 for the IWK and we hit that yesterday! That's only 6 days! I wanted to push for a bigger objective and set another goal to double to $1000!
I want to thank each donor personally for helping me reach my goals, but some are sharing anonymously or only with first names so I haven't been able to reach out but please know my heart is filled with gratitude for your support and words of encouragement!

Reason 8 - Cardiology
This was one of the first departments we visited. Cardiology does everything from checking heart murmers to pacemakers to surgeries. One thing I'm learning this month is that the IWK supports as much as possible in a patients home community and have traveling clinics. This is so important for accessibility, seeings how the IWK supports families across the Maritimes.
Cardiology took their time, assessed and answered all our questions. We don't have much contact with this team anymore but even at our last visit they were just as thorough and patient.
Cardiology | IWK Health https://share.google/HC4BPI0NmThg6YIjJ

Reason 3: ENT

Sunday 3rd May

We have visited the Ears Nose and Throat dept for a couple things but what the learning I take from there is just how much earwax can be inside an ear canal. Have you ever witnessed that?! Seriously, get your ears checked sometime! 

I wanted to post a real picture but figured some of you scrolling might not appreciate it. 🤪 (I dare you to google it!)

Day 2, Reason 2

Saturday 2nd May

Today, my reason is the parking. When one of our kids was just 6 weeks old, I took him to have a heart murmer checked (he grew out of it) but I very clearly was still in the grips of recovery and hormone changes because when I parked the car, and after struggling to find a spot, I tried to pay for parking but only had cash on me (no idea where my cards were) and it only accepted cards. I was now late for the appt and not coping well. I stood there crying and this poor man took mercy on me and paid my parking. He refused to take my cash and I think was not sure if he should escort me inside. 

Off I went, collected myself and got to the right location (they didn’t even care I was late). 

It was only when I returned to the parking that I saw the sign it was only for staff. 🤦‍♀️ Since then, I discovered the actual parkade and have been so thankful that I have never had to find parking again. And parking is also free now.

Day 1, Reason 1

Friday 1st May
1 reason, not the top reason. Today's reason is to get moving again. I've been still too long so no time like now to get back into making time for active living. 

Thank you to my donors