'Hospitals driven by excellence, by love of kids,' Children’s hospitals in London and Montreal join forces
It's being called a first-of-its-kind affiliation agreement between the Children's Hospital in London, and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada based in Montreal.
Shriners Hospitals Canada Administrator Jacques Boissonneault called them, "Hospitals driven by excellence, by love of kids."
The agreement was announced on Friday morning in London, made possible by a $1.5 million grant distributed over five years.
Boissonneault told CTV London the agreement was first discussed five years ago when Shriners Hospital officials visited London, "Getting the groups, both institutions together just created an incredible energy and will."
It was almost two decades ago that London Shriners gathered at the city’s Mocha Shrine Centre to learn they had lost their bid to host the hospital, with leadership deciding to keep it in Montreal.
The new affiliation agreement is being called a win for all, with gains in research, education and clinical care.
London's Children's Hospital president Nash Syed the institution will be able to launch the Shriners Rare Bone Disease Clinic, “We’ll support things like osteogenesis imperfecta -brittle bone disease - and other limb anomalies. We'll have kids get care here."
Jessica Quinlan's 14-year-old son Reiko has brittle bone disease. Her account of the challenging journey he has been on drew an audible reaction from those gathered for the announcement, "It's not an exaggeration to say that at 14-years-old Reiko has most likely experienced more than a thousand fractures."
Jessica Quinlan with son Reiko (Submitted)
She added later, “That's the part where I almost got choked up in the speech because even though we live it, this is our life, you never get used to the fractures, and you never get used to the pain."
For much of Reiko’s young life Jessica or her husband would need to make multiple trips a year from their home in Goderich to Montreal for treatment or surgeries, with four other children to care for, "Sometimes not knowing how long we're going to be gone and, depending on the situation, whether he needs surgery."
In recent years they have been able to get treatment in London.
An affiliation agreement will allow the Children's Hospital to open a new specialized clinic (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
The Leether family has also shared time between their home in St. Thomas and Montreal. Jill Leether appreciates the care and support her 16-year-old daughter, Kaydence, received in Montreal but values being able to stay close to home, "Less traveling, more time for school, work, family, all the things that we miss when we're traveling back and forth to Montreal all the time."
Hospital officials say to be able to ensure patients that wherever they are there will be care available. The goal is to reach affiliation agreements with other pediatric hospitals across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
History in Halifax is slowly being wiped off the map: study
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
2-year-old gorilla 'Eyare' dies unexpectedly at Calgary Zoo
A young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo has died. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced a member of its western lowland gorilla troop passed away unexpectedly, in a news release Tuesday.
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'Original Recipe'
KFC accused Church's Texas Chicken of violating its trademark rights when its fried chicken competitor began using the words 'Original Recipe' in its advertising and promotions.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
Union says it will challenge Ottawa's intervention in B.C. port work stoppages
The union representing locked-out port workers in British Columbia says it plans to challenge the federal government's intervention in the ongoing labour dispute.