Meet Tudor: Giving back to the Fund that changed his life
Tudor loves Canada. Not only has it become his home, it is the country that changed his life as a child.
Thanks to the support of the Herbie Fund, Tudor was able to come to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for aortic valve replacement surgery not once, but twice, in his young life.
“When I was born in Romania, I had a heart murmur. I went into surgery to have it repaired, but while doctors were repairing my heart murmur, they punctured one of my aortic valves.”
Tudor was informed that, if he didn’t get the aortic valve replaced, he would experience a lot of health issues as he grew into his twenties.
“After that experience, my parents were very worried about me having another surgery in Romania,” said Tudor.
“They started applying around the world for funding and the Herbie Fund was the first one to come through.”
In 1982, just prior to his eighth birthday, Tudor had aortic valve replacement surgery and the damaged valve was replaced with a pig valve.
Unfortunately, two years later, it was discovered that the valve wasn’t working effectively and it was recommended that Tudor undergo another valve replacement surgery.
Thankfully, the Herbie Fund came through for the family again, and in 1984, Tudor returned to SickKids for a second surgery. This time, the valve was replaced with a prosthetic one.
“In Romania, equipment was outdated and the option for a prosthetic valve was not even an option,” said Tudor.
Shortly after his second surgery, Tudor’s family made the decision to move to Canada permanently so that Tudor could receive the proper care for his condition and continue to be monitored by SickKids.
“Herbie Fund saved my life,” said Tudor.
“My life is 100% different than what it could have been had I not received the help from the Fund.”
It is the support he received during his childhood that has motivated him to take on an active role within the Herbie Fund as an adult. Tudor and his wife recently held a charitable dinner in support of the Fund and Tudor is looking forward to setting up a golf tournament next year to help raise even more money.
“Herbie Fund is a wonderful cause that brings children from around the world to receive life-saving surgery,” said Tudor.
“Not only is the Fund saving lives, it is also impacting the future. These children that are treated by the Herbie Fund are now given the chance to make an impact on the world.”
On Sunday, August 24, Tudor will once again show his support for the Herbie Fund by participating in Walk for the Children. Hosted at the Toronto Zoo, the event gives families the opportunity to spend the day together walking through the Zoo at their own pace while exploring the many exhibits.
The walk ends with a BBQ, entertainment and great prizes. There is still time to sign up and join Tudor for a fun day in support of a great cause.
Herbie Fund’s mission is to bring children from around the world to SickKids for life-saving or life-altering surgeries that are not available in their home countries because of high costs and lack of medical expertise.
Since its inception in 1979, the Herbie Fund has assisted more than 738 children from 105 countries. -
See more at: http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/skf-blog/2014/08/giving-back-to-the-fund-that-changed-his-life#sthash.FXn3mzen.dpuf
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http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com 8/19/2014 |
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