Race For Kids

Delaware Speedway and APC United Late Model Series has partnered with Children's Health Foundation to raise much-needed funds for Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre.  During the Great Canadian Race at Delaware Speedway on Saturday, September 7, 2024, there will be ways for you to support the Cancer program at Children's Hospital.  

A second home – that’s how many patients and their families refer to Children’s Hospital in London, Ontario. Through their health care journeys, they come to know it as a place that they can trust and feel safe in during the most difficult times in their lives. As kids continue to face medical emergencies, cancer, chronic illness and other life-threatening health issues during uncertain times, Children’s stands by them with leading-edge care.

Children’s Hospital offers the most advanced paediatric care in its region. More than 66,000 children, from birth to age 18, live in Western Ontario and rely on it each year.

Meet Pepper

Pepper is a happy, go-lucky kid; she doesn’t let much get her down. Being born with Down syndrome, her parents Melanie and Andrew knew they would have some challenges raising a child with special needs. But today, her mom reflects, “It’s not what we expected, but she’s just the perfect addition to our family.”

Like most other children with Down syndrome, Pepper always seemed to pick up every virus that came her way. However, she started junior kindergarten very healthy. That was until her teacher called home because she was favouring one leg. Not long later she developed a low grade fever and before she knew it, Melanie was at the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. They had a leukemia diagnosis the next day.

Initially, Pepper was admitted to the hospital for seven and a half weeks. For the last two years, she has regularly visited the outpatient clinic for chemotherapy appointments, which has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the Child Life Specialists and Music Therapists have been able to help Pepper cope with the procedures that have been difficult for her to endure. Pepper always loves to sing Old MacDonald whenever her Music Therapist comes by!

Although the road has been hard, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pepper will be officially done cancer treatment in April 2020!

“We are so grateful for Children’s Hospital. The staff have treated our whole family with respect, compassion and care throughout Pepper’s diagnosis and treatment. She isn’t just treated for cancer, she’s loved and it shows,” shares Melanie.

Donate today and help kids like Pepper, who fight against Cancer every day!