Long-distance cyclist Fran Cosper and his friends often biked 120 kms on a Saturday. But that changed a year ago when he woke in the night and couldn’t feel his legs. Doctors at The Ottawa Hospital diagnosed him with Guillain Barré Syndrome.

Chemotherapy wasn’t working for Cathy Chapman. However, a genetic test identified a specific gene mutation that meant she could take part in a new international cancer drug trial – the first patient in Canada.

“I realize now that it wasn’t just a journey to heal my body. It was also a journey to heal my emotional and mental state. Here are some highlights… and some lowlights. But I have come out the other side stronger.” Read Donna Jakowec’s journal.

When Brenda Ringlet passed away suddenly in 2016, her family was in shock, but found great comfort in knowing she helped save many lives through organ donation. Trillium Gift of Life Network recognized The Ottawa Hospital with two awards for its efforts in ensuring that patient wishes are granted.

Sharon MacDonald lives at a different pace because of her heart failure. The discovery that a protein can trick the heart into growing in a healthy way could one day provide new treatments for patients like her.

When John Henry spent three weeks cycling across Great Britain last summer, he didn’t need to take along a three-week supply of antiretroviral pills for HIV. As part of a study at The Ottawa Hospital, Henry receives an injection once every eight weeks instead.

After nine years as Chief of Staff at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull retired on Dec. 31 from hospital life to spend more time helping Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations.

In recognition of his efforts to improve life-saving skills and services, Dr. Justin Maloney received the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Cross in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Dec. 12.

Ian Asquith doesn’t miss being in the hospital for two months with a perforated colon, but he does miss the special nurses on 7 East, who he nominated for the annual team nursing award because they bring to life The Ottawa Hospital’s core values of compassion, respect, teamwork and quality.

Extremely premature babies born between 22 and 25 weeks’ gestational age are at high risk of dying and physical disabilities. A NICU team advocated for a shared decision-making process to help parents make informed decisions about whether they want their extremely premature baby to receive intensive care or palliative care.

Some of The Ottawa Hospital’s smallest patients have a new home. The Special Care Nursery at the Civic Campus recently moved into a new space, just across the hall. Not only does this new space provide a safe, quiet environment for these little patients, but it also offers parents more space and privacy, as they watch over their little ones.

Avalina Sousa was born 17 weeks early, weighing 750 grams, and spent her first 127 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With the extraordinary care she received, she achieved milestone after milestone, until she was healthy enough to go home.