The beauty of making a difference for Stollery kids
For Shirley Ibe, fundraising for the Stollery Children’s Hospital isn’t just about the dollars raised – it’s about the beauty of sharing your story and inspiring others. Even small businesses can make a huge impact on kids’ health.
Shirley’s unborn son, Elijah, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect while in utero. Knowing that he was going to need specialized care when he was born, their family temporarily relocated from Calgary to Edmonton when Shirley was 37 weeks pregnant to be closer to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Not long after his birth, Elijah was transferred to the Stollery, where he underwent his first open-heart surgery. While he was recovering back at home in Calgary, he suffered a massive aneurism and was airlifted back to the Stollery.
Elijah had a second open-heart surgery the next morning. After having two cardiac arrest episodes and being put on ECMO life support, Elijah had a stroke. Thanks to the efforts of his Stollery team, he made it through. Elijah went home to recover once again, and just after he turned two, he had a third heart surgery back at the Stollery.
After Shirley’s experience with the care at the Stollery, she wanted to find a way to give back. She decided to use her cosmetic company, Madeup Beauty, to raise money – and awareness – for cardiac care. With a goal of contributing a portion of her cosmetic sales every year throughout the month of February – Heart Month – she reached out to learn more about our corporate giving program.
She was quickly given the tools she needed to get her fundraising set up, including stickers for her packaging to identify her as a legitimate fundraiser.
With Madeup Beauty being a small business, Shirley initially felt like a small fish in a big sea when it came to fundraising. But as she continued to donate proceeds from her business and raise awareness about the expert care at the Stollery, she realized the impact goes beyond the dollar amount raised.
Today, Elijah’s a happy and thriving toddler who keeps his family on their toes. While his ongoing care has been transferred to the team at their local children’s hospital to be closer to home, he still returns to the Stollery for specialized cardiac treatments when he needs them.
Shirley plans to continue fundraising for Stollery kids like Elijah, and she’s increasing her goals every year. If you’re interested in fundraising for the Stollery through your own business like Shirley, you can find out more here.
