Hi! My name is Margaux Hickman and I am 20 years old. In January of 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Wilms Tumor (kidney cancer) at Children's Hospital Colorado. As someone who was terrified of hospitals, needles, and couldn't even swallow a pill before my diagnosis, this huge life adjustment was extremely difficult. My main source of comfort during my many week-long hospital stays, besides my family and doctors, were the dogs and child life specialists from the Medical Dog Program.
During my many stays in the hospital, Ralph, the medical dog, and his handler Kizzy, who is a Child Life Specialist, helped me get out of bed and walk around to do my physical therapy when no one else could motivate me to, and brought me such comfort that I would forget that I was even in the hospital battling cancer. The work they do is truly life-changing; from supporting scared kids during intimidating procedures to providing comfort to families during the last hours of their child's lives, and SO much more, there is no way to express the level of gratitude I have for the Child Life Specialists and all the programs they run. But WE can help…
In 2021, I started the “Sit Stay Heal” fundraiser and raised $20,000 for the Medical Dog Program, to help the hospital to train and hire a new therapy dog, Ruffles, dedicated specifically to the cancer floor. We’re now in our FOURTH year, and together we’ve raised over $40k, especially with the help of my partners at Salesforce.
Each year as we do this program, it’s a great reflection of the indescribable impact the Medical Dog program had on me. Without this program, my doctors, nurses, or family, getting the opportunity to go to college would not be possible for me. If I could help the Medical Dog program even just half as much as they have helped me, I know that we can make a big impact! My experiences have even inspired me to volunteer for the Child Life program at UCLA Children’s hospital while I am at school, where I get to play with and support children and families in the same ways that the child life specialists helped me and my family when I was in the hospital.
The Medical Dog Program is completely funded by donors, meaning any small donation can make a huge, life-changing difference. Please join me in supporting the Medical Dog Program so they can help many other kids - just like me - experience its magic and healing support.
