Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital has chosen their 2023 Champion Child.

Sixteen-year-old Nicko Karpan from Martensville will be travelling the province this year, telling his story, and inspiring other children to share their health-journey stories, as well.
Nicko was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. He says that at several days old, he underwent multiple surgeries that saved his life, but also resulted in a large amount of blood loss. Nicko fought for his life and spent the first three weeks of it in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit recovering. At the time of Nicko’s birth, Saskatchewan didn’t have a children’s hospital, so he and his family had to travel to Edmonton for medical appointments. Since then, he has undergone multiple surgeries, CT and MRI scans, X-rays, and check-ups.

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital spokesperson Jada Kook says Nicko is a huge inspiration, and he is mature well beyond his years. He is an accomplished public speaker and will have no problem sharing his story over the next year. Nicko has been an ambassador for Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital for seven years, and he is looking forward to supporting other kids on their path to health in 2023.