Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) youngest patients receiving care on the Paediatric unit will now have their choice of five customized “Mason Power Poles” in thanks to a generous donation from the Fight Like Mason Foundation. Displaying fun, vibrant and colourful designs, these special IV poles give children receiving care in hospital and at home a sense of comfort during their journeys in the medical world.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Women and Children’s Program received a donation of “Mason Power Poles” from the Fight Like Mason Foundation on July 30, 2019. Pictured from left to right: Janice Wilmott, Director, Women and Children’s Program, Gail Slack, Clinical Manager, Women and Children’s Program, Iain Macri, Fight Like Mason Foundation, Chantelle Bacon, President, Fight Like Mason Foundation, Dr. Wendy Edwards, Chief of Paediatrics and Sara Gee, Registered Nurse.
Formed by Iain Macri and Chantelle Bacon, the Fight Like Mason Foundation carries on the legacy of their beloved son Mason Bacon-Macri who was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on May 4, 2015 at the age of two. Fight Like Mason’s mission is to improve treatment, care, quality of life and awareness of patients diagnosed with childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma and other childhood cancers. Along with raising funds for childhood cancer research, Fight Like Mason strives to give children who are receiving treatment in hospitals and at home medical equipment that shows how brave and courageous they are. Sara Gee, Registered Nurse in the Pediatric unit at CKHA, reached out to Fight Like Mason after hearing about their inspiring work at surrounding regional hospitals and knew these special IV poles would be a welcome addition to CKHA’s Paediatric unit.
“Fight Like Mason is so happy to be able donate to and provide the paediatric services at CKHA with the world’s only custom IV poles! Our Mason Power Poles are designed with the spirit of our superhero Mason, to brighten up the hospital room and allow children with illness to be proud of their battles,” said Chantelle Bacon, President, Fight Like Mason Foundation.
The Mason Power Poles were inspired by Mason’s experience when he left the hospital for the final time and returned home with his family to receive palliative care. When several pieces of medical equipment were brought into the home and set up, Mason’s warm and safe haven had become a hospital-like environment. His functional hospital bed and IV pole, among other pieces of equipment, were a reminder of the countless hospital stays and treatments he had endured. After this, Chantelle and Iain came up with the idea to create fun and colourful IV poles to help other children going through similar experiences.
“In the spirit of Fight Like Mason, these special IV poles will give our youngest patients something to smile about when they are facing what can seem like a daunting hospital visit,” said Lisa Northcott, Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive & Chief Professional Practice, CKHA. “Thank you to Chantelle, Iain and their team at Fight Like Mason for this generous contribution to our Paediatric unit.”
CKHA’s Women and Children’s Program delivers paediatric services, including a paediatric Day Surgery Program and three paediatric inpatient beds. To learn more about the Women and Children’s Program visit: www.ckha.on.ca/women-and-childrens-health
For more information on the Fight Like Mason Foundation visit: www.fightlikemason.org/
