Each year the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon helps children with special needs in B.C., and presents heart-warming stories of children from across the province.
Here are some magic moments from the 2016 Variety Show of Hearts Telethon:
Markus
Variety paid for physiotherapy sessions to help Markus, a brain cancer survivor, regain his strength after intensive chemotherapy sessions. Rose McIver of iZombie unveils a special gift for Markus.
Kamden
Kamden was born with a fused trachea. Variety covered the cost of accommodations for his mother while he was in hospital.
Sean
Sean has a severe anxiety disorder as well as ADHD. Variety covered the cost of expensive medication, which has helped make a difference in his life. Now, Sean and his family will be taking a trip of a lifetime.
Karissa and Kaelyn
Karissa was born with a hemangioma – a benign tumour in her ear canal, which grew to the size of a grapefruit. It cannot be removed as it is wrapped around her facial nerve, and it has caused hearing issues, and sleep apnea for Karissa.
Kaelyn has a gene mutation that causes seizures. Her liver also does not filter blood and she has episodes of blood anemia.
Variety helped Karissa by supplying a CPAP machine, which helps keep her airways open at night so she can breathe. They provided Karissa with a pulse oximeter that alerts her family when she is having a seizure.
Now they will be taking a trip of a lifetime to a theme park in California.
Wyatt
Wyatt was in an ATV accident last spring where he broke nine of his ribs, his shoulder blade, and his back. Variety installed a wheelchair ramp in his house so he can get from room to room.
Rick Hansen was on hand to get Wyatt the opportunity to participate in a number of wheelchair sports in Kelowna.