LONDON, ONT. -- The TLC Foundation has installed a massive sign on Baseline Road across the street from the entrance to the Children’s Hospital. The sign informs the public that the foundation has been granting Christmas wishes to all kids in the hospital for 30 years.
"It's desperate times for us, because we don’t want to miss one kid on Christmas Eve," says Leo Larizza, founder of the TLC Foundation.
As CTV News first told you in November, Larizza was banned from the London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) Victoria Campus property, and has not been able to reach out to parents of sick kids about getting a Christmas Wish.
With six days to go until the big day, and no change in the hospital's stance, Larizza installed the sign.
"Hopefully when they drive by, they see the sign, they reach out to us," he adds. "We want to be there on Christmas Eve for them."
For the past three decades, LHSC has helped in giving a form to parents on the sixth floor, informing them about the TLC Foundation, and asking if they want a Christmas wish.
In recent weeks Larizza has stated he's willing to go through the Children's Health Foundation to get the gifts in the hand of the children - he just asked for help informing the parents - but was denied through correspondence between lawyers.
"They said sorry we can't help you with handing out the letters. I don’t understand why we are in this predicament, I just needed their assistance and unfortunately we'll have to do it alone."
We reached out to LHSC with specific questions including:
- Why they won't hand out the letters?
- What is their response to Leo's claims he's willing to abide by hospital rules and policies?
- What is their reaction to the big sign across the road from the hospital?
However, we were once again referred to their previous interview in November, the frequently asked questions post on their website and the gift in-kind policy.
In the meantime, Larizza will be relying on the big blue sign to keep the wish-giving tradition alive.
"It's going to weigh heavy on our hearts if we don't get to every kid," says Larizza. "Last year we delivered 70 gifts, and that sign is there to inform parents."
The sign is asking that if there is a child in hospital who would like a Christmas Wish, to contact the TLC Foundation via email or via their Facebook page.