Mosaic invests $2 million in Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation

The Mosaic Company is providing money to help the smallest patients in Saskatchewan, making a $2-million investment to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The funds will go towards specialized equipment, innovative research and family-centred programs across the province as well as The Mosaic’s Child Life Program that “transforms the hospital experience for children and families by easing fear, anxiety and pain through compassionate, holistic care,” according to a news release on Monday.

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“Contributions like this mean we can continue to update what we have in the hospital, which helps us, from a recruitment perspective, attract more and more professionals and sub-specialists to ensure Saskatchewan kids get the best level of care possible in our province, reducing the need for out-of-province travel — that’s really important,” said Saskatchewan Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill.

Abir Riyan knows how important those programs and services can be to a child. He was just 12 years old when he was diagnosed with stage three T-cell lymphoma — a type of cancer.

“After hearing that news, I was devastated, and my family, and I had to rush to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital very quickly,” the now 18-year-old said.

“As a 12-year-old kid, I couldn’t even describe how I was feeling. When you’re that young and having to deal with cancer and all those things combined, it breaks your heart. Your life isn’t normal anymore.”

During his time in the hospital, Riyan said he tried to get his mind off of things by playing games with the other patients, and painting.

“I would wake up every day and start painting and my mom would support me at the hospital. I would create art and stay in a positive mindset,” he said.

After around two to three years, Riyan’s cancer went into remission.

He said it’s important to be able to have those escapes during those tough times.

“If you were to think negatively all the time, the will to live and recover from whatever illness you have, it becomes lower. When you have all that support and stuff, you feel better and you build that motivation and the will to get through this battle you might have. When you have all these things going for you positively, you can tackle all these issues coming your way.”

Troy Davies, the president and CEO of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, also said funding woud also go towards research, including a recent partnership with the University of Regina for its Provincial Maternal and Pediatric Research Fund.

Mosaic is also putting funding towards supporting an Indigenous Research Chair.

“(They) will study the impacts of childhood and intergenerational adversities, aiming to build future resiliency and well-being in Indigenous children and youth in the province,” said Mosaic’s President and CEO Bruce Bodine.

In the release, Mosaic indicated it has given $12.5-million in total funding spanning 20 years, showing a commitment to advancing pediatric and maternal care.

“The children’s hospital has had a special place in our hearts from the very beginning. We have been partners from the day they came to ask us of we wanted to be a part of something special,” said Mosaic’s director of government and public affairs Marnel Jones.

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