Family going the distance for SickKids this weekend by Scott Stewart Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Thursday, September 26, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com An Oakville family is taking part in the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure walk Saturday (Sept. 28) in Toronto to raise money for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Tova Ralph will be joined by husband Ryan and their children -- Sara, 3, and Ryan, their 14month-old son -- as they participate in the 20kilometre adventure walk that sees participants encouraged to walk to the distance that suits them. The Ralphs have been to SickKids in the past for their son Ryan, who was born with a cleft lip and partial palate. Ryan had surgery when he was five months old, and will have a second procedure at age eight. "We're one of the lucky families who has one of the healthier babies at SickKids," she said. Ralph said her care at SickKids began prior to her son's birth. "I went in once we learned Ryan had the cleft lip and palate," she said. "I was at about 22 weeks. It's wonderful that they were already consulting with me and making sure I had the information I needed about taking care of a child with a cleft palate." Since his birth, Ralph said Ryan has spent just two nights in the hospital and has been treated there no more than 10 times. From left, Tova, Sara, 3, Ryan and Ryan Ralph, 15 months, will take parti in the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure walk Saturday (Sept. 28) to help raise money for the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Ryan had surgery at SickKids to repair a cleft lip and palate. | photo by Nikki Wesley Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) However, just because the toddler doesn't stay in the hospital, his care continues. "He'll get looked at until he's 21," Ralph said. "They arrange dental care, because he'll need another operation to have a bone graft to insert a bone into his jaw line." Ralph said when Ryan is older, he will also receive counselling through the Toronto hospital's Cleft Lip and Palate program. "As kids get older, they may deal with social issues, like people asking why their face looks a little different," she said. "They'll equip him with how to respond to those situations." Ralph says her family is "really lucky" and wants to give back to the hospital. Ralph has created ballerina tutu kits in the SickKids logo colours (two shades of blue) to sell in her family's effort to raise funds for SickKids. "Some people like to get something from giving, so this way they get a tutu for their donation," she said, adding that participating in the fundraiser will become a yearly family tradition for her family. The tutu kits will be available in adult, children and teddy bear sizes. Adult and children's sizes cost $20, while teddy bear kits cost $10. Proceeds from all sales will go to SickKids. For more information or to donate, email ryanthelioncabin@gmail.com or visit http://goo. gl/jz5jKd. To learn more about the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure, visit www. campforkeeps.com. INJURED? I Can Help! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca Fall Sale Floor Models & Custom Orders ON SALE 905-844-3530 Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law Furniture & Home Decor 217 Lakeshore Rd. E. Downtown Oakville www.swissinteriors.com Proudly Supporting Canadian Manufacturers P 1953-2013 60 years