Laura, an Inuit girl, was relocated with her family from their home in a remote area of the Canadian North to seek treatment for her illness. She was hospitalized for several weeks on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at SickKids.

Laura spoke minimal English, was frightened and somewhat withdrawn. Ruth was asked to help Laura cope with her hospitalization and extended treatment. During the first music therapy session Laura was obviously interested in the instruments, but too shy to sing - even though she loved to sing at home with her family. Upon learning that Dad played the drum, Ruth gave both he and Laura a small hand-held lollipop drum and invited dad to sing. Dad knelt down by the bedside, began a steady beat on the drum and sang songs of their homeland in their native tongue. Soon Laura joined in. Together they sang, laughed and enjoyed making music. Many staff came by to witness the 'transformation' of this little girl, whom they knew as so shy and reserved. Laura felt proud of her accomplishments.

Ruth offered to videotape their time together to provide happy memories of the hospital stay. As Laura's condition deteriorated and her treatment intensified it was expected she would be transferred in the Intensive Care Unit. Knowing what was ahead, Ruth made a video tape of Laura at mom's request.

Laura's condition remained very precarious for several days in the ICU. She was put on a breathing machine and was often unconscious. During this time, Ruth came to visit, and with dad, surrounded Laura with songs of comfort, faith and courage. The family now had the copy of the videotape, reminding them of precious time together and giving them hope that they would once again sing with their daughter.

Laura gradually regained strength. A physician commented on how wonderful it was to see Laura begin to play the drum again, ever so weakly, in her ICU bed, even when she was unable or uninterested in doing anything else. Clearly the music therapy served as an important support for Laura and her family during this difficult time.

Thankfully Laura made an amazing recovery. Today she is a happy, healthy girl.

"I don't know where we would be without SickKids over the last six years. I can't imagine what would happen to Marissa if we didn't have it."
- Maureen Myers

Marissa was diagnosed with acute lymphblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was 2½ years old. ALL is the most common type leukemia in young children. ALL affects the lymphocytes - the white blood cells - that fight bacteria. She was treated at SickKids and had three years of ongoing chemotherapy.

Marissa was cancer-free for almost three years until she relapsed in September 2004. Marissa started an aggressive chemotherapy plan, but doctors thought her best form of treatment would be a bone marrow transplant.

Marissa's 11-year-old sister, Taylor, was a perfect match. After an intense week of chemotherapy and radiation, Marissa had the transplant in January 2005 and was in isolation for 18 days, followed by an additional stay in a step-down unit.

After the transplant, Marissa met Ruth Roberts, a music therapist at SickKids. Ruth helped Marissa write a special song to honour Taylor. Marissa is now at home enjoying the many things every ten-year-old girl loves; playing with her friends and singing. She takes medication to help her body accept Taylor's bone marrow and antibiotics to control infection.

Marissa just celebrated her two-year anniversary of her bone marrow transplant.