19th Edition of Splash & Dash - Sarah's Fund for Cedars
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About the Event

Splash & Dash is the signature event for Sarah’s Fund for 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 $300,000 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 18th 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 16 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.

SplashAndDash_About1  Doctor and Patient Hands  Child and Doctor

 

 

A message from Sarah Cook

Sarah-Cook This year is the 19th annual Splash and Dash and I feel so blessed by the continued support we receive every year to help make the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families on Sarah’s Floor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital a little bit easier.

19 years ago, Splash and Dash began based on a little girl’s dream of buying new pillows for all the patients being treated for cancer at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Today, we have gone above and beyond what a girl of eight years old could have imagined. Because of continued support from the Montreal community, and family and friends, we have been able to renovate the entire Montreal Children’s in-patient oncology ward, Sarah’s Floor, and help guarantee that all the programs offered on the floor continue. Splash and Dash focuses on patient care; and the money raised has helped support pet therapy, music therapy, and continued education for nurses, and so many other programs that help the kids feel like kids.

This year has been difficult for a lot of families and has provided a lot of time to reflect and think about what is important in our lives, but through your personal struggles I ask you to think about the families currently on Sarah’s Floor. A moment in their lives that is already scary and hard to accept, they are placed in the “new normal” where they don’t only have to worry about cancer, but Covid-19 as well. They feel alone, and in their time of need when they want to rely on family and friends that have had to become even more distant. So, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Splash and Dash and Sarah’s Fund for Cedars, because the children battling cancer deserve the very best!

This year’s event will be different than our usual day at the McGill Sport complex and though our traditional event will be severely missed, we are excited to present Splash and Dash Virtual.

Splash and Dash Virtual Step Challenge will allow old friends to return to the event and raise funds again from wherever life has taken them around the world. I myself will be participating from London, England and participating with friends and family back in Montreal as one team. Splash and Dash Virtual Step Challenge will also allow us to remember that we as a community are stronger together while we are thinking of others and giving back in any way we can.

Though the world has slowed down and taken a pause, cancer didn't take a break. We need to continue to fight, so please help us to continue to support the patients, families, doctors, nurses, and staff. Donate or participate, your contribution matters.

Sarah Cook
Cancer Survivor