Lakeshore Advance, 2013-12-04, Page 18IS' Lakeshore'Advance • . Wednesday,, December 4,, 2013
Lambton mom gives back to SickKids
Hospital, Ronald McDonald House
It's all about giving back for Sarnia mom Carlene
Baltessen.
Last December, her son laden Ficht, now l8 -months old,
required a liver transplant and spent months in SickKids
Hospital in Toronto.
"It was rough, l would spend ten hours a day in his room
and then go to the Ronald McDonald house to sleep" she
said.
Now Baltessen, 30, is hosting a toy drive for the two groups
as a way of saying thanks, and to help out families with chil-
dren who are sick.
"A lot of them can't afford gifts and a lot of the time parents
have to quit their jobs, just like we had to leave our jobs to
take care of the kids," she said.
Baltessen spent four months on and off at the Ronald
McDonald House itnToronto near laden, starting last Novem-
ber, as partner Gord Nicht stayed at home in Sarnia with their
now three-year-old son Reagan and a seven-year-old daugh-
ter Hayden.
laden was horn with biliary atresia, a complicated disease
of the liver, and at five weeks old had surgery to reconstruct
his bile ducts. But even after the surgery the couple was told
laden would need a liver transplant to live.
Happily it was discovered laden's uncle Rob richt was a
perfect match and he donated part of his liver to the
youngster.
It's getting close to a year since the Dec. 20, 2012 surgery,
and both laden and his uncle are doing well.
"Oh (laden) loves to cause trouble now," laughed Ilaltes-
sen. "Ile loves colouring, painting, and playing with trains."
While at the hospital, Baltessen along with many other par-
ents at the hospital were given vouchers to a room filled with
gifts that they could choose for their children.
"It honestly helped us a lot," she said. "It was a little home
away from home it was really, really nice,"
She's hoping to give hack to those who will spend their
Christmas at the hospital this year, she said, noting not as
many people are donating to the SickKids program.
Baltessen is collecting for her toy drive until Dec. 7, as the
family is heading back to Toronto for laden's one-year
checkup. With eight bags of toys so far, half is earmarked for
SickKids and the other half for Ronald McDonald I louse.
"A lot of these families can't afford anything for Christmas
and these kids don't necessarily get a lot so it's just nice to
give to them while their families can't give too much," Baltes-
sen said. "A lot of parents can't even leave their children's side
to go shopping."
She's asking for brand new, unwrapped toys in their origi-
nal packaging for children up to age 12.
"We haven't got any books or 1)VI)s yet, so that might he a
good idea," she said.
'l'o make a donation, contact Baltessen at 519.3211 1:1 Ili.
me/an ie. ande rson d.'ttllr/letlia.rti
ATTENTION READERS
Take advantage of our pricing for
NAPPY NOTES
Includes: Birthdays, Anniversaries
Weddings, Engagements, Graduations etc.
Actual Size: Pre -Payment is Required
Just bring In your photo & write-up and well do the rest.
Other Sizes & Prices available upon request.
58 Ontario St., N.
Grand Bend
(519) 238-5383
Thank You
The Canadian Cancer Society (:rand Bend fund
raising committee wishes to thank the following
supporters of our 1st annual Chili Challenge.
• The Grand Bend Legion
• The Lakeshore Advance • Sobeys
• Grandpa Jimmy's • Foodies
• Jordan Grainger and our many volunteers and
contributing restaurants...
• Aunt (iussics Country Dinning
• Back' N Time Classic Dinner • A Restaurant
• 1lesscnlanll Country Inn • 1'ni Starving
• Oakwood Resort & Gulf Spa • Paddington's
• I'orky's 1113Q & Pontine
• Riverbend Bar & (Trill • Schoolhouse Restaurant
• SmnckwaterJacks 'I'aphouse •The Colonial
Melanie Andsnon OMI Agency
Jaden Ficht plays with the toys his mother Carlene Baltessen
has been collecting for the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children
and Ronald McDonald House. Last year Baltessen spent four
months In Toronto as her son waited for a liver transplant.
She's asking the Samia community to help her give back.
MAKE(IV)YiSes
(111(1(1(1
f?('('areal'-'0!/l( 1 '!.`'/lt'.`
('(111'/ il•tlil /I)l' .ti'I►111('l1t11'.
%1 w.nt:lkt';Iws i`h.( :► 1-8MS-892-9 17 1