Our Cause
PATIENT STORIES
Simran Sarai from South Surrey, BC
Click here to meet Simran.
 An outgoing six-year-old, Simran Sarai was often the leader of her twin brother, Sajjan, and younger brother, Daya. That is why her parents, Sarj and Jin, became concerned when their usually energetic daughter started to spend her free time curled up on the couch, complaining of leg pain.
Simran's leg pain worsened and a blood test was performed to determine why Simran's health deteriorated so suddenly. When the results came back, Sarj was asked to bring Simran to BC Children's Hospital's Emergency Department immediately.
After five hours of tests, doctors took Sarj and Jin into a private room and delivered the devastating news - Simran had leukemia
"At first I refused to believe what I was being told," said Sarj. "But when I heard the cure rate for Simran's type of cancer was upward of 90 per cent, my despair turned to relief."
Simran spent the next nine days in an isolation room to undergo intense treatment. Despite her physical challenges, Simran remained positive and high-spirited - something that Sarj says helped the family get through the tough times.
Over the next several months, Simran was in and out of Children's Hospital to receive treatment. But by the summer of 2007, her health finally began to improve.
Now eight-years-old, Simran is back in school full time, plays soccer and enjoys cross-country running. Thanks to the love of her family and the support of her caregivers at BC Children's Hospital, the future looks bright for Simran.
Past HSBC Childrun Champions
2008 Dayton Blampied of Mission, BC
2007 Emily Wong of Vancouver, BC
2006 Mark-Anthony Roberts of Campbell River, BC
We've come a long way in caring for and curing children with cancer. More than 20 years ago, 70 per cent of all children diagnosed with cancer died. Today, more than 75 per cent of them survive, but the battle is far from over.
Each year in BC, around 130 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed - the equivalent of five classrooms full of kids. Although we are saving more lives than ever before, one classroom will still not survive this devastating disease. Caregivers and researchers in the Pediatric Oncology programs at BC Children's Hospital are working hard to prevent this.
This is where you come in. Funds raised through HSBC Childrun are vital to providing life-saving care and improved treatments specifically designed for kids with cancer. By collecting donations and being a part of HSBC Childrun, you are also helping us learn more about childhood cancer with the goal of finding a cure.
Your support will help save even more children's lives. Thank you for doing your part for BC kids. Together we are making a difference by joining the fight against childhood cancer!
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