Volunteer Initiated Community Events

Deklyn Sawatzky Endowment Fund

In August of 2011 Deklyn's parents had their routine ultrasound to see how their baby was growing. Unfortunately Deklyn was not ok. The doctor did not know what was wrong, but he knew it was very serious. After many more ultrasounds and test, doctors came to the conclusion that Deklyn had Hypophosphatasia (HPP) a rare bone disease, and more than likely would die shortly after birth. There was hope though. There was a drug that was still in trial that other children like Deklyn had been receiving and if he made it to birth he could receive this drug that had helped other children to live and thrive. December 20th 2011 Deklyn Jeffrey Reid Sawatzky was born. They were able to intubate him and he was alive! Test proved that Deklyn indeed had HPP and he could start treatment right the next day. HPP effects everyone differently, for Deklyn he was born without a single bone in his body. Over time, with this drug Dekyn's bones began to grow. As the months went by he became stronger and healthier. When he was 5 months old, his parents and doctors decided that a tracheostomy would be a good thing for Deklyn. A month or so after this procedure he had an even better life, he loved smacking his lips and clicking his tongue. He could be moved more freely, and his parents were able to start feeling like parents. Unfortunately Deklyns lungs had many problems. Being ventilated for so long is very hard on the lungs, and on top of everything else Deklyn developed Pulmonary Hypertension as well. Many times he would get sick and be moved back into Intensive care because of his lungs. In February 2013 Deklyn got very sick and doctors were not able to do any more for him. February 28th 2013 he peacefully passed away. Deklyn left a huge impact on everyone who met him. He was not able to speak, he spent all 14 months of his life in the hospital but he was the happiest kid anyone has ever met. The drug he received helped his bones immensely as you can see from the x-rays below, but there is still more to be done to help kids like Deklyn. Deklyn's family and friends wanted to create this endowment fund in Deklyn's name to help all present and future children with HPP. Their hope is that one day no child will HPP will have to die. Please consider donating to this great cause! 

Please make a donation  by clicking the orange "Donate Now

About The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba

Whether you have children or not, chances are you have been touched by the joy that a child can bring. As a supporter of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, you are making an investment in the future of over 120,000 children that are treated here each year.

The Mission of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is to be an independent agency whose puspose is to raise and distribute funds for the advancement of knowledge and care in the fields of child health research and, thereby, contribute to the improved health of children everywhere. 

Established in 1971, the Children's Hospital Foundation works to support the special healthcare needs of children through reliable and consistent funding of pediatric medical research, as well as equipment and programs at Children's Hospital of Winnipeg.

Through the generosity of our donors and corporate supporters, we are able to commit millions of dollars each year to purchase equipment, support programs and fund important medical research which provides children and their families with hope for the one thing they need the most - a cure.

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