It's only fitting that Tsawwassen's Taylin McGill will play a big role in championing for miracles this weekend for B.C. Children's Hospital. Without the miracle treatment and medical support she received from the hospital, her story could have been a very different one.
McGill, this year's B.C. Children's Hospital Champion Child, will lend her support to the annual fundraising telethon the 30th edition this Saturday and Sunday on Global TV.
As B.C.'s representative in the Champions Across Canada program, Taylin and her family have embarked on a tour the past seven months to share their story of spirit and courage.
In March, the family travelled to Ottawa to join 11 other Canadian Champion children. The group then headed off to Walt Disney World in Orlando to join 50 American Champion children and their families at Celebration, a Children's Miracle Network annual event.
"In Ottawa we met the prime minister and all the other Champion children," recalled Taylin. "All of them have gone through injuries and tough times, so they know what it feels like to be in their children's hospital. I still keep in touch with many of them. We're friends now. I still text two of my friends from the trip, so that's pretty cool."
As a newborn, Taylin was diagnosed with salmonella bacterial meningitis a rare and serious infection in the brain. It caused brain swelling that led to severe seizures. By age seven, she had endured 14 brain surgeries.
In the last 14 years, it is estimated that hundreds of people at B.C. Children's Hospital from pediatric specialists to housekeeping have been part of Taylin's journey. Despite her significant struggles, Taylin's positive, energetic attitude has not wavered, and her parents feel strongly about giving back to the hospital that saved their daughter's life.
Mom Erin and father Sean both agreed this experience as the Champion Child has been life changing for their family.
"It was absolutely incredible to meet all the Champion families and listen to their stories," said Erin. "It's been good for our older daughter [Kheya] too. She wants to study medicine next year when she goes to university, specifically brain injuries in kids, so for her to be with us and hear all these stories and meet all these kids, she has been completely inspired by them. It's been an incredible experience for Taylin. It's a huge honour. We just feel so blessed."
Sean said as the various speaking engagements and events the family has attended have increased, he has seen a huge change in Taylin as her confidence has grown tremendously.
"This is an unbelievable opportunity to give back to an organization that has saved our family," said Sean. "It's very accurate to say that Taylin would not be here without the hospital. The people that work there are amazing. The foundation is amazing."
To learn more about Taylin's story or to make a donation to her fundraising campaign for the Miracle Weekend see: http://www.bcchf.ca/stories/miracle-stories/taylinmcgill/.
