Photo: Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation

After battling extreme pain, 31 days in Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, and an ultra-rare diagnosis, a five-year-old Regina girl is back to being herself.

In April of 2024, Ivy Brodner started showing reluctance to walk. She and her family then began a tumultuous journey of tests, IVs, declining oxygen levels, and debilitating pain.

Once transferred to JPCH, Ivy was given a diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of the skin, muscles, and blood vessels, which only affects 2-4 children per million worldwide each year.

Ivy’s mom, Shandra, was grateful for the staff at JPCH, saying, “Watching the nurses always on their A-game finally allowed me to sleep, knowing Ivy was in the best possible hands.”

After a long-fought battle, Ivy is now back at home, attending kindergarten and gymnastics classes, and still going to monthly follow-up appointments at JPCH.

It is because of this hardship that Ivy has been crowned this year’s JPCH Foundation Champion Child. She will spend the year representing and meeting sick and injured kids across Saskatchewan.