By Leighsah Millward
400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario, was a hive of activity on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
Elves – who on other days of the year are 400 Squadron personnel – rushed back and forth across the hanger floor, loading presents and preparing the CH-146 Griffon helicopters. Although elves and helicopters might seem a strange mix, it’s a 13-year tradition in the squadron to help Santa’s elves bring some Christmas cheer to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital.
With take off time looming and everyone aboard, the pilot laid his finger to the side of his nose and up rose the Griffon, on its way to bring smiles to the boys and girls of Sick Kids.
L-R: Aviator Wilson, Captain Pollard, Odinairy Seaman Anderson, Corporal Hamel, Aviator Rittershofer, Master Corporal Merner, Major Laycock, Aviator Rodrigues, Corporal MacIlroy, Captain Hill. (Image taken by Corporal Lindsay Neifer)
A short flight later, the elves piled out onto the hospital roof and skipped down the hallway to the beautifully decorated room awaiting them. Slowly the children of the hospital filed in, some on foot, some in wheelchairs; their faces lit up in wonder at the scene before them. A long table filled with crafts and fun was laid out to keep little fingers busy, holiday music filled the air thanks to a squadron member with a guitar, and heaps of presents lay behind the counter, each destined for a child at Sick Kids.
“We’re really excited and honoured. We’ve had a ton of people give donations and the community has really come together,” explained Major Laura Laycock, 400 Squadron’s deputy commanding officer. “Local businesses have provided gifts for the children, and we’ve raised about $15 thousand and lots of toys [have been donated]. We were able to buy everything on Sick Kid’s Hospital’s list [of items for hospital common rooms] as well.”
Blake is a four-year-old with an autoimmune disease that causes his body attacks the platelets in his blood, drastically increasing his chances of internal bleeding. Every Wednesday he and his family visit Sick Kids for injections.
“Seeing him you wouldn’t know until you realize he is covered in bruises, covered in broken blood vessels from falling down and stuff like that. He just needs to be reminded constantly that he needs to be careful, but he is still a kid, still four,“ said his mother as he enthusiastically joined the craft-making.
“I never make a snowman with an elf before, it’s my first time,” the little boy said. “I’m going to leave this at home for Santa.”
Chloe, who is six, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 and in September of this year she had a relapse. She’s in the hospital frequently and her chemotherapy treatments limit her time with her friends. She spends a lot of time isolated in her room, doing crafts, reading and doing quiet activities, attending school only occasionally. For a social girl like Chloe, this can be hard.
“We are not sure yet if we are here for Christmas; chances are we will be,” her mother said. “Sometimes her counts are too low and we can’t expose her to situations that would put her at risk. Now with the season of colds and flu, she can’t really be around others. We try to limit it.”
During the elves’ visit, Chloe’s face was covered with smiles, her brow furrowed in concentration as she carefully pasted together her snowman, laughing at the eager elf at her elbow.
“This is awesome!” exclaimed Chloe’s mom, “This is fantastic to see them [400 Squadron] here, it’s fantastic that they do this for them [the kids], it’s awesome!”
The elves had just as much fun as the kids, many sported smiles from ear to ear. “To me it’s a little personal because my brother has been through Sick Kids when he was younger dealing with diseases himself,” says the elf who is also known as Corporal Jesse MacIlroy. “I’ve seen what’s like down there and I have an idea what the families are going through and I want to help out. Hopefully it will bring them some happiness.”
“I was pretty happy when I heard they were coming,” said 12-year-old Zuhaa. “I’m here because I have leukemia. This is my first Christmas in the hospital; I got sick this year. It changed lots of stuff; I don’t get to hang around with my friends as much. I really like the snow; I haven’t been out to play in it yet. I like skating, I was going to learn how to skate this year.”
Though the visit lasted part of a day, the children at Sick Kids probably won’t soon forget it. All the children face personal battles daily: dealing with pain, dealing with frustration. For this one day, the elves of 400 Squadron helped them put their challenges aside and celebrate the joy of being a child at Christmas.