Dartmouth boy named IWK’s 2024 Children’s Miracle Network Champion
This year’s Children’s Miracle Network Champion has been revealed for the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.
Canon Beazley of Dartmouth, N.S., was named the latest champion during an announcement in Dartmouth, N.S., on Thursday.
The Children's Miracle Network Champion Child is a program that brings children together who represent hospital foundations across Canada and the U.S.
The IWK Foundation says Canon will represent children throughout the year who receive specialized treatment and care at the hospital.
“We are thrilled to name Canon as this year’s IWK Children’s Miracle Network Champion, representing the IWK locally, nationally and internationally. He is resilient, intelligent and a true inspiration to us all,” said the manager of community and corporate giving, Melanie Matheson, in news release from the foundation.
As a champion child, Canon will also share his personal IWK story to support fundraising campaigns and events in the Maritimes.
He became an IWK patient after he was diagnosed with Stage 1 Wilms Tumour in 2021.
“If it weren’t for the IWK I wouldn’t be standing here today,” he said during Thursday’s announcement.
“They had to take out my kidney, as well as giving 22 weeks of chemotherapy, but the support from the IWK was so great and amazing and they made what felt like, what could of felt like, the end of the world feel great.”
After treatment, Canon began having panic attacks and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The IWK Foundation says he doing better thanks to regular therapy sessions, medication and the support from his family and IWK care teams.
Canon is known in his Dartmouth community for this successful “House of Doom” Halloween fundraiser for the children’s hospital.
“(It) has raised $47,000 since 2020 and it’s opened up so many opportunities to help fundraise for the IWK,” he says. “I’m so glad that I get to take part in that, because I know that I’m helping more kids that are going through the same things that I am, that will go through the same things that I have, or even worse.”
“This kind of stuff suits him very well,” says Canon’s father, Dan Beazley. “And we’ve got to watch him grow and develop throughout all of the opportunities he’s had because of his experience with the IWK.”
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.