IN LIEU OF GIFTS A community-driven way to say thanks. By Kimberley McNeil Born at 23 weeks and four days, Tatum Gore came into the world almost four months premature, weighing only 1.5 lbs. Tatum took her first breaths at the Foothills Medical Centre Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the highest- level of NICU offering critical care to the smallest, most precarious newborns, and babies with medical conditions requiring precise pediatric care. Fortunately, Tatum’s a fighter, and is now a bubbly toddler whose bright smile brings even bigger ones to those who meet her. “Our [healthcare] teams were the best,” shares Tatum’s mom, Hayley. “We had the same rotation of neonatologists and charge nurses looking after us throughout Tatum’s stay. This also included a network of four amazing primary nurses. Together, they saved her life.” To thank the healthcare team who saved their baby girl, the Gore family hosted a fundraiser for the Foothills Medical Centre NICU to celebrate Tatum’s first birthday. They wanted to organize something uncomplicated with the potential for a big reach. They decided to use peer-to- peer fundraising. “We searched Google for the best way to give back to our healthcare team and discovered Calgary Health Foundation,” recalls Hayley. “They helped us to set up a simple fundraising page to raise money in honour of Tatum’s birthday.” To invite people to give, they sent out simple birthday
Tatum Gore at age two.
invitations asking for donations in lieu of gifts and posted the link on social media. This one simple act resulted in huge impact. The secret to their success? Community. “We live in a small town outside Calgary,” explains Hayley. “Most of the people in our community had heard of Tatum’s shaky start to life and wanted to help.” Their community rallied, raising an impressive $8,000 for the Foothills Medical Centre NICU.
“One of the surgeons told Sonya she should get my affairs in order. They changed my prognosis to a 30 per cent chance of survival,” recounts Steve. Thankfully, 24 hours later, Steve started to respond. He was brought out of the coma and taken off the ventilator. He had to learn to walk again and how to use the washroom. He struggled with his short-term memory. But he worked tirelessly on his recovery, and after 22 days in hospital, he was discharged. The moment felt triumphant. “Since then, I’ve been able to walk my daughter down the aisle and golf over 80 games,” Steve says. “I’ll never take my health for granted again and will be forever grateful for a second chance at life.” His message to others is simple: “Keep giving back if you can. When I made the donation to Calgary Health Foundation, I wanted to give it to all the people who were involved in my care. Without them, my recovery would not have been possible.”
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Steve Magus and his wife, Sonya.
Breakthroughs [ Fall 2025 ]
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