Peterborough Boy Josh Woodward Is On Waiting List For A Kidney & His Family Needs Your Help

Four-year-old Peterborough boy Josh Woodward was supposed to have started Junior Kindergarten this past September at Armour Heights. But that didn't happen. See, Josh, who was born with chronic kidney disease, has had complications from a kidney his father, Jason, donated to him this summer. And Josh is very sick again. On October 25th, the kidney had to be removed as there was a fungus on it. To further complicate matters, another operation had to be performed to ensure that there was not a blockage to his bowel. For a third time in a short period, Josh had to undergo yet another serious operation. There have been numerous blood transfusions and the doctors have to make sure that the fungus is totally out of his body. Eventually, Josh will go on a waiting list for another new kidney but at this point he needs to heal from these three major surgeries. Josh is expected to remain at Sick Kids in Toronto for at least another 6 weeks.

Josh’s parents Josie and Jason have been taking turns staying with him at Sick Kids.  With two other children at home—a brother named Joel, and sister named Jacie—and with both parent’s wages taken a hit recently, it is difficult for them to make ends meet. The cost of the travel back and forth to Toronto, the lost wages and unanticipated additional cost are taking a toll on the family.

Now the family needs you Peterborough. Josie and Jason’s friends and family are organizing a fundraiser for Josh that will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at The Venue from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. This fundraising event will be a family event meant for all ages, that includes games for children, entertainment, light refreshments and drinks available. Organizers are looking for raffle prizes and silent auction items for the fundraiser, as well as bake and craft items in order to raise money for this family.

You can also help the Woodwards by making monetary donations: contributions can be made by visiting any branch of the TD Bank and making a deposit to: Account # 607 5481 Transit # 3431.

For more information on the fundraiser, contact:  
Erin Browne: 705 872 5668
Renee Greaves: 705 741 5784    
Cathy Ducker: 705 768 1124
Charity Hannigan: 705 924 1110
Julie La Rush: 705 639 5068      
Debbie McEachern: 705 939 8853 
Karen Tarkington: 705 808 3057

[Fundraiser for Josh Woodward Facebook page] 

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Best Thing Ever: Peterborough Girl Sarah Edge Celebrating Her 10th Anniversary With New Heart By Hosting Blood Clinic

Sarah Edge was only six weeks old when she first begin experiencing heart problems. By the time she was 15 months, and her health in severe decline, she was placed on a heart transplant waiting list. Her family was afraid Sarah would not make it, and she was down to only 15 pounds. After weeks on the waiting list, Sarah’s mother received the miracle call that the family had been waiting for: A heart had been found!

At 18 months old, Sarah received the heart transplant she so desperately needed. Throughout her treatment, she also needed 66 units of blood products to help beat the odds that were not in her favour.

Ten years later after her miracle heart transplant and the generosity of blood donors, Sarah is giving back. In celebration of her post-transplant anniversary, the 11-year-old from Peterborough hopes that the blood donor clinic she and her family are organizing will bring out donors willing to help save the lives of children like her.

Sarah’s Celebratory Clinic is Tuesday, November 5th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at  Peterborough Blood Donor Clinic (55 George St. at the corner of George and Perry St.). Members of the community are encouraged to come out and support Sarah and other children in need of blood and blood products, as well as organs. Call 1 888 2 Donate (1-888-236-283) or go online to Blood.ca to book an appointment to donate blood. In addition, it takes only minutes to register to be an organ or tissue donor. Visit Beadonor.ca to find out how.

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Renowned Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Kutcher Speaking At Ontario Shores

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is inviting parents to an evening symposium on Adolescent Mental Health next Wednesday, September 18th. Dr. Stanley Kutcher, leading adolescent psychiatrist, will provide an interactive presentation giving parents important adolescent mental health tools and information. Ontario Shores will also present its amazing adolescent mental health documentary short, Talk to Someone: You’re Not Alone.

Dr. Stanley Kutcher

Both local school boards in Peterborough—PVNCCDSB and KPR—are participating in mental health literacy training with Ontario Shores next week. Dr. Kutcher along with CMHA National Office created the curriculum that the teachers and allied support staff will be trained on in area schools. As part of this, Ontario Shores is offering this free interactive parent night with Dr. Kutcher at Ontario Shores.

The symposium takes place September 18th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lecture Theatre, Building 5, Level 2 Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, 700 Gordon St., in Whitby, Ontario.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Debbie Lenehan at 905.430.4055 ext. 6135. 

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