Splash & Dash
- Goal:
- $250,000.00
- Achieved:
- $209,948.57
About the Event
Splash & Dash is the signature event for Sarah’s Fund at Cedars that raises critical funds for the needs of young cancer patients who are hospitalized on Sarah’s Floor, the in patient Hematology- Oncology division, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Already, over 2 million has been raised through Splash & Dash—this special event where cancer patients, friends and family members Swim, Bike and Run for pet therapy, music therapy, Dr. Clown, nurse training and social services.
Splash & Dash and Sarah’s Fund began in 2001 with the desire of an eight year old, Sarah, the funds namesake, wanting to help other children who also had cancer.
However, her dream is far from complete. She wants to ensure that the hospital continues to have the latest equipment, the means to conduct life-saving research and the tools to teach the next generation of doctors, nurses and other specialists who will provide children with the very best possible care and services.
The organizers of Splash & Dash, want to Go Beyond their wildest dreams and raise $300,00 for the needs of children hospitalized with cancer on Sarah’s Floor, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
These courageous young patients deserve the kind of support that reflects a community’s commitment to excellence and innovation; that says “we understand what you’re going through and we’re going to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible”; that brings unicorns, rainbows and smiles into their rooms despite the hardships they and their families are facing.
We have our eyes set on rainbows, unicorns and smiles so please help us Go Beyond for cancer patients at the Montreal Children’s Hospital!
Help us raise our ambitious $ 300,000 goal at the 16th edition of Splash & Dash for Sarah’s Fund at Cedars.
About Sarah’s Fund for Cedars
Sarah’s Fund for Cedars was started in 2001 by Sarah Cook, an eight-year-old girl battling Ewing’s Sarcoma who was determined to make it a little easier for the other children on the floor by buying new pillows.
For over 15 years, Sarah’s Fund has gained momentum and continues to support the efforts of the professionals who make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of children and their families every year.
The fund supports the pressing needs of the Pediatric Hematology- Oncology Division by providing the best care to improve the quality of life for young cancer patients on Sarah’s Floor, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Sarah’s Floor, the Hematology-Oncology In-Patient Ward serves critically ill patients who suffer from cancer and leukemia.
These young patients have specific needs and often experience long-term hospital stays, which can be difficult and stressful.
Thanks to the enthusiastic giving of our Montreal community corporations and through special events, Sarah’s Fund has raised over 12 million.
The Fund addresses the pressing needs of Sarah’s Floor, with positive results including:
Humanitarian Services:
This program was created to aid the families who are in need of financial assistance due to the stresses that a child’s illness can place on a family.
Sarah’s Fund provides the families with essential needs such as, meal tickets, parking passes, transportation for medical needs and accommodations for families living in regions outside Quebec. This initiative allows families to focus on the care, well being and treatments of their child.
Pet Therapy:
This program provides young cancer patients with an opportunity for social and sensory interaction with therapeutic animals in the hospital setting.
Sarah’s Fund contributes to helping to reduce the stress and contributes to the healing and quality of life to the young cancer patients on Sarah’s Floor.
Dr. Clown:
This program provides clowns who bring smiles and joy to young cancer patients on Sarah’s Floor.
These therapeutic clowns, Dr. Fifi and Dr. Pedalo, help to relieve the stress of hospitalization by transporting the patient into a world of imagination and therapeutic play.
Music Therapy:
This program offers music therapists who use elements of music such as rhythm, melody and harmony to promote, maintain and restore physical, emotional and spiritual health.
On Sarah’s Floor, the oncology-hematology in patient unit, this music health care environment helps the patient healing process.
Nursing Education:
Nurses are at the heart of every hospital. Investing in nursing education allows the dedicated hematology oncology nursing team to be at the forefront of their profession by staying abreast of best practices and to offer the highest possible standard of care to the young cancer patients.
SPOKESPEOPLE
A note from Event Chair: Stefanie Butt
Stefanie Butt
"As Splash and Dash embarks on its 16th edition, we are happy to announce that Cedars Cancer Foundation is taking over the leadership and management of Splash & Dash moving forward. The Cedars team is committed to building upon the Montreal Children’s Foundation success of S&D over the past 15 years and to further grow the funds raised to support children with cancer.
After several years of participation and involvement with Splash and Dash and the organising committee, it is an honour and a privilege to take on this leadership role as we embark on our new relationship with Cedars.
Since its inception, countless volunteers, corporations, students and families have come together as runners, swimmers, bikers, sponsors and donors to Splash & Dash. Thanks to their efforts and generosity, Splash and Dash has raised over $ 2 million for Sarah’s Fund for Cedars.
Our focus again this year is to support vital programs and services to improve the lives of young cancer patients on the hematology/oncology division of the Montreal Children’s, Hospital.
There are many ways to support and be part of our Splash & Dash family; be it by volunteering, participating, or coming out to cheer on our participants. Splash and Dash is an extraordinary way to engage your colleagues, family and friends in a great physical activity all while making a valuable contribution to your community by supporting Sarah’s Fund for Cedars.
We hope you will join us for a fun-filled day and help us Go Beyond our wildest dreams.
Stefanie Butt
Chair, Splash & Dash 2017
"
16 years later
A message from Sarah Cook:
"This year marks the 16th edition of Splash and Dash and I am deeply honoured and touched by the continued support we have received from the Montreal community. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine how successful this event would become. Last year was our 15th anniversary and a huge milestone for us. Sarah’s Fund started with a little girl’s dream of buying new pillows and helping other patients and their families, never did I foresee the support we would receive and how much more we could accomplish. With your help, we have been able to provide better facilities for the doctors, nurses, and staff to work in, as well as better treatment for the patients and families on Sarah’s Floor. Splash and Dash focuses on patient care; with the money raised we help support the many programs that we have brought to the hospital such as pet therapy, music therapy, and continued education for nurses. We have also helped purchase state of the art equipment. We have been able to go above and beyond my original dream and I can’t express how much I am in your debt.
When I visit the floor and hear laughter and see smiling faces, I know that we have made a huge difference in patients’ lives. No child or family should have to go through this disease and I hope that one day we do find a cure, but until that day arrives, I want to thank you for the bottom of my heart for supporting Splash and Dash and Sarah’s Fund. You are helping the patients diagnosed now, who are battling now, and I can’t thank you enough. Splash and Dash is one of my family’s favourite events because it’s a day where other families and groups of friends can help raise money and awareness together. It also demonstrates that children and young adults have the capacity to help others their own age. So please, come and enjoy the day on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Bring your family and friends and to come watch our very own heroes from Sarah’s Floor participate because, at Splash and Dash, they are just like any other kids enjoying a day of fun.
Sarah Cook
Cancer Survivor"
