About

This blog is a record of our attempt in turning an audacious vision into reality in raising $25,000 in benefit of the Therapeutic Clown Program at the Hospital for SickKids in Toronto, Canada within a span of a month with the help of friends and sponsors.

Funds will be raised through funds raised through a promotional draw from June 24-28, 2009 within Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, Twitter Micro-donations, Launch party ticket sales and aligning with Corporate partners.

The Desired Outcome:

Making this a World-Class Event, from June 24-28th, 2009 in the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. My aim for the event is to get to get people REALLY excited and just plain have fun not just because of the Transformers brand, but for the cause and what it represents along with everyone else involved.

Details on Launch Party and Wrap up Party will be posted shortly

Why the Therapeutic Clown Program?

The reason why I decided to do this is because I’m (Will Lam) a former patient of SickKids and if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t been able to write this “About” page or spearhead this SickKids Initiative in the first place. I chose the Therapeutic Clown Program (after discovering it at The Second City That Never Sleeps 2007) as the beneficiary of the funds raised because I truly believe they increase the quality of life for children in care of SickKids. They were launched a few months after I was discharged from the hospital back in 1993. After observing them in action interacting with children and adults alike, I know I missed out on a vital component of the care given by SickKids. This is my way of giving back to a cause where I could witness an impact through the smiles and laughter of SickKids patients’ and adults alike.

What is the Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids?

Established in 1993, The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids provides patients and families with therapeutic clown care, using spontaneous humour and gentle play to minimize stress during hospitalization and treatment. Working under the umbrella of the hospital’s Department of Child Life, therapeutic clowns collaborate closely with Child Life Specialists, and other members of the multi-professional team to develop therapeutic strategies within the model of family-centered care.

Clowning is an innovative and effective form of therapy and like laughter is contagious. Therapeutic clowning can be a vital part of a child’s recovery. On a daily basis, therapeutic clowns demonstrate that laughter may just be the best medicine.

The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids provides approximately 10 000 patient visits per year. A. Leboo, Bunky, Clutter, Doko, Lubee, Mary Sunshine, Mosca, Nuula, Roo, Rose and Tushkin visit patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on in-patient floors 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and in out-patient clinics.

This unique program relies solely on the generous donations of caring individuals, foundations and corporations. We receive no funding from the operating budget of the hospital. The program relies on its’ own annual fundraising initiatives and receives in-kind services from both SickKids and SickKids Foundation.