The Caring for Kids Radiothon that benefits the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation is set for Aug. 20. People like Evan and Emma Palacios-Burke and their family have experienced the restorative health care that the hospital provides. They’re twins who were born 11 weeks premature at the hospital. Now aged seven, they have a story to tell. Evan is full of energy now, but has already endured 20 surgeries, most of which to help him breathe. It all started seven years ago when they came into the world almost two months earlier than expected. Evan and Emma’s mom, Irmelena Palacios, says they were so small. “Evan was 750 grams and Emma was 1250 grams,” she said. Both babies spent weeks in incubators. “They have tubes, machines, wires … nobody is expecting to see a baby this small and still so frail and the skin is so thin,” Palacios said. They were so fragile, the twins couldn’t be held in her arms for weeks. The hospital staff told Palacios to communicate with them in other ways. “You speak to them, sing to them, tell them you’re here. They can feel you. They can hear you,” she said. After many weeks, with two teams of specialists helping, Palacios finally got to hold her twins. “There was just a quietness of both babies. Finally, with mom,” she says with tears in her eyes. Emma was discharged after a few months, but Evan spent eight months in the neonatal intensive care unit. “It was unbelievable. It was unbelievable,’ Palacios said, adding that the staff at The Children’s saved them all. Dr. Sam Daniel, surgeon-in-chief at The Children’s Hospital, says Evan was the tiniest patient he’s ever operated on. “Evan is a little hero. He’s been through so much since birth,” Daniel said. Evan has more challenges in his future, but seems to have the energy for it. Emma is looking forward to Grade 2. Evan and Emma are the “spokeskids” for the Caring for Kids Radiothon broadcast on CJAD 800, 95.9 Virgin Radio and CHOM 97.7. Donations can be made by calling 514-939-KIDS or visiting fondationduchildren.com.
