Dear Friend,
You know how dependent a baby is on its mother. For every morsel of food. For comfort, caring and love. And for the countless little necessities that its fragile life demands.
In all the plans you make when blessed to become a mother,
nothing prepares you for being too sick to take care of your own child.
Imagine not being able to do the little everyday things with your children.
No picking them up. No running with them in the playground. Not even holding them in your lap. That’s what hurt the most...
...But BC Women’s Hospital gave it all back to me: the strength to pick up my children and be the active, healthy mom I yearned to be.
I hope you’ll give me a moment of your time. When I tell you this story I think you’ll agree that all moms should have the best care and treatment in those critical times when they need it the most.
I was just 22 when I married my high school sweetheart. We dreamed of having our own family more than anything. But it wasn’t going to be easy...
Shortly after we started trying for our first child I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful gynecological condition. It required treatment and surgery.
We were so thrilled when we learned I was pregnant in the summer of 2001! A few months later we welcomed our daughter Kayla Hope and a year later our dear son Brayden.
Our children brought us such joy, as any parent will understand. I cherished being a new Mom. I could not have imagined what would come next...
In the early morning hours, just four days after delivery I had to go to emergency. I had to say good-bye to the tiny, beautiful child I had just met.
After Brayden’s birth I underwent six surgeries in the next two years. I endured uncountable tests and procedures, even a hysterectomy at the age of 29...
After yearning to experience motherhood I spent most of those early days going to appointments, awaiting surgery, or recovering from surgery.
I longed to be at home
holding the hands of my children –
not my doctor’s in the operating room.
I remember days I had so much pain I couldn’t stand up straight. Days spent vomiting in the bathroom, crumpled on the floor, my little girl standing outside the door asking, “Mommy, OK?”
Only the love I shared with my husband for our family gave me the strength to keep going. I clung to the hope that I was going to get through it, and that it would be a great day when I walked out of the hospital for the last time...
That day finally came in 2005, when my last surgery was behind me and my health began to return. Through it all I could depend on BC Women’s Hospital - even in my worst moments.
Dr. Catherine Allaire performed four of my surgeries. She gave me back my quality of life with her expertise and compassion. Because of that I have recovered and can be here to care for my children!
When my health was restored I knew immediately that I wanted to focus my giving on BC Women’s Hospital.
- It’s where our miraculous journey began, when I saw our daughter’s heartbeat for the first time.
- It’s where I went for my fetal echocardiograms for both my children because I was a congenital heart patient.
- It’s where I received specialized care for post delivery complications.
- And it’s home to the UBC Centre for Reproductive health where I received care for my Endometriosis.
While I was in the hospital I told my husband that when I got through “this” I wanted to make a difference, to give back.
I didn’t want to forget what it was like to live through those moments, and the other women who endure health challenges like I did. That’s why I am writing you today. Together we can truly transform lives!
I suspect if you asked around, you would find you know someone who’s life has been changed by BC Women’s. After all, one in five babies born in B.C. are born at that hospital.
Please help BC Women’s to help moms like me, and make a gift today. Don’t delay - do it now, even while this letter is still in your hand. Every dollar counts. You can help so many people whose lives are changed by the care BC Women’s provides.
As a mother, when you are sick there are many losses. One of the most precious things you lose is time with your children. And that’s something you can’t ever get back.
Because of the care I received I feel like I have a new beginning. And I can be the mother my children need.
Your special new gift to BC Women’s today will help mothers be moms again. We can’t buy back time, but you can help bring families together sooner. For mothers, and the families who need them, please make a donation today.
In appreciation,
Kate Harvey
Thankful mom, donor and volunteer
P.S. - This Mother’s Day, help moms and their families by making a gift to BC Women’s. You’ll be helping thousands of moms, babies and families throughout the province. Make a donation today to celebrate the “every day moments” you never want to lose.