The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 21, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Clark family believes in magic: Sydney By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Believe. That's the word tattooed on every member of the Clark family. It's one of the reasons Oakville's Sydney, Logan, Greg and Nancy got through the unthinkable two years ago. On that April morning, Nancy went to wake up her 15-year-old daughter for school. But Sydney didn't get up. "She just had one vital sign, just her little heart was beating," said Nancy. "At the hospital, they didn't know what it was." Sydney was transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children in a coma. Everything had shut down but her heart. Doctors told the Clark family to prepare for the worst. "They called us in a couple times to say she wasn't going to make it," said Nancy. "As you can imagine, we were just devastated, my husband, my son and I." Doctors diagnosed Sydney with Reye's Syndrome, an uncommon and deadly disease they hadn't seen in more PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK FAMILY MAGICAL: Sydney Clark at last year's inaugural Do You Believe in Magic? fundraiser with her mom Nancy, brother Logan and dad Greg. than 20 years. The cause is a combination of Aspirin, a flu, and, as Nancy puts it, "a one in a million chance." "She basically had ammonia flooding her body. It was very, very lucky they were able to diagnose it." Nancy remembers when Do you Believe in Magic came on the radio while she was at her daughter's bedside in hospital. That tune, she says, made her realize Sydney was going to make it. "She was lying in bed, and I thought, I don't know what I'm going to do," said Nancy. "Just at that second the song came on, Do you Believe in Magic. I looked down, and I thought, the heart's the only thing that isn't hooked up to a machine. I suddenly thought, I do believe. I got my hope and my faith and everything back." After 11 days in a coma, Sydney woke up. It was Mother's Day. Now a first-year student at Good Friday CLOSED · Saturday 9:30am-6 pm · Easter Sunday CLOSED Monday 10am-9pm EASTER WEEKEND HOURS: SAVE REGULAR PRICES GST&PST OFF ALL STOREWIDE! * Brock University in concurrent education, the 18-year-old and her family are preparing for the second annual Sydney Clark Fundraiser for SickKids Foundation. Last year's inaugural event raised nearly $30,000 for the hospital. It's a way, Sydney says, to say thanks to those who saved her life. "Last year it was exciting, and scary and nerve-wracking to see all of the doctors. Dr. Bohn, I had only met him once, and it was right after the coma," said the T.A. Blakelock grad. "He walked in, and you don't expect your emotions are going to do that, but you just can't not cry. "It's the person who saved your life. It's hard." Sydney is looking forward to this year's fundraiser, to once again reconnect with those who helped save her life, and those who stood by her family during that difficult time. "I'm really excited to see all these people that helped me during that time," said Sydney, "and they're still helping with this through donations and coming to the event. "It's a way for us to give back to them as well as the hospital. Last year, it seemed like everyone just had a smile on their face. You felt good about being there. It's such a great cause." Do you Believe in Magic? will feature dinner, a live and silent auction, and entertainment. See Believing page 12 INCLUDES ALL CUSTOM ORDERS! DO NOT PAY FOR 12 months * DOORCRASHER SPECIALS! * LIMITED QUANTITIES * SAVE 40% $ 399* ANDERSON RECLINA-REST RECLINER NOW $ 1499* NOW $ 699* PINNACLE LEATHER FINESSE RECLINER NOW SAVE 50% GAVIN DUAL RECLINING SACRAMENTO LEATHER SOFA SAVE 25% Comfort. It's What We Do. FREE Gift Just For Coming In During March Madness! (No Purchase Necessary*) Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.lazboytoronto.com * Prices shown as above reflect all discounts. Limited quantities. Products may vary store-to-store. No further discounts on Final Markdowns. Hot Buys or Special Buys. Offer may comprised of Instant Rebate and/or Mail-In Gift Card. On Approved Credit. Finance offer starts May 2009. * One free gift per family/household. See store for details. RECLINERS SOFAS CHAIRS TABLES LAMPS RUGS ACCESSORIES