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Robbie's Rainbow has raised more than $12K and helped 26 kids Continued from page 1 3 · Thursday, February 7, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "It's hard as a mom to watch your child struggle, especially when there's not enough love to take away the pain that your child feels. This disease leads a parent to feel like a bystander," said Kate Murray, Robbie's mother and executive director of the charity. "You just sit by and watch and there's very little that you can do." Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that attack the digestive tract. There are nearly 5,000 children under the age of 18 in Canada living with IBD, according to SickKids. "We don't know why, but we know that younger and younger children are being diagnosed at quite alarming rates. That means the demand for critical or effective treatments is huge," said Murray. Robbie was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2009 and started taking the prescription drug Remicade shortly after. The first sign of trouble was when Robbie lost interest in the things he once enjoyed, "slowly pulling away," Murray said. "He wasn't as active as he used to be. He was less engaged, sleeping a lot more and complaining that his stomach really hurt." It took 11 infusions of the drug for Robbie to regain the energy he once had, his mother explained, adding that while it doesn't take away the pain entirely, it does help. "As a mother, this treatment gave me my child back. I was able to see that light come back into his eyes and he just started to blossom," said Murray. "He has his struggles on a daily basis with pain and unfortunately that's a common symptom of Crohn's that will never go away." The idea to start a charity came to Robbie and Murray after a hospital visit in January 2010 for one of his treatments. They overheard a woman in a room down the hall pleading for the doctors to give her child the required medication. "It's hard as a mom to watch your child struggle, especially when there's not enough love to take away the pain your child feels." Kate Murray, executive director, Robbie's Rainbow Murray and Robbie learned from a nurse practitioner the family couldn't afford the treatment. She said the situation broke her heart. "I cried for the mom because I had been on that side of the fence where nothing is working for your child and hopelessness is starting to creep in," she said. Shortly after, Robbie and Murray held their first fundraiser selling chocolates at Fortinos and raised enough money to help the child receive his treatment. "The Fortinos fundraiser is so important to us because it really is where it all began," said Murray. Robbie and his mother then established Robbie's Rainbow to do more for families unable to pay for medication. In addition to providing funds, Robbie's Rainbow supports families with educational resources and mentoring programs on how to cope. "They share their experiences of living with Crohn's or ulcerative (to create) a more positive outlook for them on how certain treatments have worked," said Murray. In December 2012, Robbie's Rainbow was granted charitable status from the federal government and, according to Murray, is the only children's charity in Canada dedicated to pediatric IBD funding for treatments for children. "It's just been an incredible journey for the moms and dads who really need to be focusing on their child's emotional well-being and not thinking about what (they) need to sell to get them this treatment." Murray says she hopes to raise $4,000 at this weekend's fundraiser. Since 2010, the chocolate drives have raised more than $12,000 and have helped 26 children receive treatments. "I never want another parent to have to feel (this) way. We are creating this pediatric community where more parents are coming onboard to provide support to others. With that, I think we can break down those feelings of isolation and fear." The Valentine's Chocolate Drive runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fortinos, 173 Lakeshore Rd. W. For more, visit www.robbiesrainbow.ca. Don't Let Winter Get Your Goat When you live year round at Delmanor how you enjoy winter is up to you not the weather. On the nice days you can enjoy a stroll on our maintained community pathways or scheduled excursions on our private bus. But, when old man winter wants to get your goat you can enjoy a host of indoor daily activities, LivingWell programs and classes, live entertainment, guest lecturers, and hearty meals served in an elegant dining room full of friends. To sample how to enjoy all the seasons at Delmanor join us for an event or lunch and an afternoon of thumbing your nose at the weather. 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