MONTREAL, July 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Jérémy Gabriel from Québec City
(Québec) and Hunter Woodhall from Syracuse (Utah) have been selected as
Shriners Hospitals for Children's patient ambassadors for 2012-2013.
The announcement was made on July 4, 2012, after the premiere of their
video: "Two Worlds Apart - One Place of Hope" during the Imperial
Session of Shriners International (National Convention) in Charlotte
(North Carolina). Jérémy took the stage in front of over 10,000
Shriners from throughout the world to perform a song and share his
story.
Every year, Shriners Hospitals for Children® chooses two patient ambassadors to represent the thousands of children
who receive care at the health care system's 22 facilities annually.
Throughout the year, the Ambassadors will share their stories to
inspire others and raise awareness for the hospital system.
The Artist:
He has sung for both Céline Dion and the Pope; he has recorded two
albums and co-authored a book. He was born deaf.
Jérémy Gabriel, 15, of Québec City (Quebec) was born prematurely with
severe facial malformations and other complications requiring intensive
care. Jérémy was finally diagnosed at 6 months with Treacher Collins
Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. In addition to head, skull and
facial deformities, children with this condition generally have absent
or malformed ears, which can cause hearing loss.
Jérémy was referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada at the
age of 5 for treatment. There, the family met Lucie Lessard, M.D., a
plastic and craniofacial surgeon. Dr. Lessard suggested a BAHA (Bone
Anchored Hearing Aid) Implant which would allow him to hear. Thanks to
a special program funded by Daughters of the Nile Canada (international
charitable organization of women related to Shriners); Jérémy received
his implant in June 2003, at age 6. After the surgery, Jérémy was
fascinated with sound, and discovered he could sing. In fact, he has
perfect pitch. Jérémy is scheduled for additional facial reconstructive
surgery later this year.
"Without the life changing BAHA implants thanks to the Daughters of the
Nile, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Dr. Lessard, I would have
never been able to hear, let alone sing" expressed Jérémy. "Now that I
have been chosen as patient ambassador for the entire hospital system,
I will be able to share my story and instill hope in families living
through difficult situations. It is truly an honor to be named
ambassador and speak on behalf of the hospital system throughout
Canada, the United States and Mexico" he added.
Jérémy now attends a high school specializing in performing arts, where
he is an excellent student. He is preparing for a career in the music
business.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children®
Shriners Hospitals for Childrenis changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care,
world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22
facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced
care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord
injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada
Located in Montreal since 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada
is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing pediatric
orthopaedic ultra-specialized care for complex disorders such as
osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), severe spinal and limb
anomalies, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Children from
across Canada, the U.S. and around the world have benefited from the
hospital's ground-breaking research and innovative treatments, both in
Montreal and in their own communities.
Video with caption: "Video: Perfect pitch: Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Canada patient who was born deaf chosen as Ambassador for 22 hospital system for his singing talent". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120704_C6005_VIDEO_EN_15922.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15922.jpg&clientName=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29&caption=Video%3A%20Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent&title=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29%20%2D%20J%26%23233%3Br%26%23233%3Bmy%20B%2Droll&headline=Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent
Image with caption: "Jérémy Gabriel at groundbreaking ceremony for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada, Fall 2011 (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15911.jpg
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/07/04/20120704_C6005_DOC_EN_15915.pdf