Statement made on 17 February 2011 by Senator Wilfred Moore
Hon. Wilfred P. Moore:
Honourable senators, I rise today to speak about a young friend of mine, Madison Rae McDougall Burch, who departed this life on Friday, February 11, a month before her fourth birthday, at home in Marriotts Cove, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, surrounded by family and friends.
In August 2009, Madi was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She immediately began chemotherapy at the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre in Halifax. Full remission was achieved, but Madi relapsed quickly. She was transferred to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for a bone marrow transplant. This time the remission held longer, but, in November 2010, the cancer returned permanently.
Honourable senators, during her much-too-short life, Madi redefined the meaning of courage and taught us all the power of spirit, determination and joy. In her final months she lived every day to the fullest. She became an avid reader and, through the kindness of the Children's Wish Foundation, Madi and her family travelled to Walt Disney World in Florida, where her beloved Tinker Bell welcomed her. Madi inspired countless parents to hug their children even tighter every day, and she left everyone with wonderful, lifelong smiles and memories.
Honourable senators, Madi inspired many doctors and scientists to work harder to solve cancer's mystery. It is in this regard that we must not let this precious, short life pass without meaning and contribution. The Hospital for Sick Children, who lovingly cared for Madi while she was their patient, is conducting leading research in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Stem cells are the body's building blocks or master cells that can develop or differentiate into any type of tissue or organ. These cells are the focus of regenerative medicine, medicine that involves growing new cells, tissues and organs to repair, replace or regenerate those damaged by aging, disease or injury.
Stem cells have been collected post-birth without controversy from umbilical cord blood and from bone marrow. Canada would benefit from the availability of umbilical cord blood, reflecting the genetic diversity of Canada, and which could be used to provide matched recipients with stem cell therapies.
However, Canada is the only one of the 58 developed nations in the world without a public cord blood bank. In addition to that scientific shortcoming, not having a cord blood bank is expensive. In 2010, Canada imported 90 units of cord blood at a cost of between $40,000 and $80,000 each, totalling an average cost of $5.4 million.
I do not know if the availability of matched umbilical cord blood would have helped Madi or saved her, but I do know that we should do all we can to have such blood available for children like Madi and the thousands of other Canadian children suffering from myeloid leukemia and other diseases.
In Madi's name, I urge the Government of Canada to establish forthwith a public cord blood bank.