Hi, my name is John Buchan.

February 1998 I was born seven weeks premature at Markham-Stouffville Hospital and immediately transported to SickKids Hospital in Toronto spending 19 days in NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) recovering from IRDS (Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome).

As I grew up, I learned that if I had been born 10 years earlier with IRDS, I probably would not be here today. The medical research and care provided from Sick Kids is remarkable and allowed me to thrive to this day based on entering this world with underdeveloped lungs.

I have been blessed with a wonderful life and family and have had learned firsthand on the importance of advancing medical research, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable of patients, that being a newborn child.

I have also been very fortunate in my life and have received so much that it is now my time to give back. Every child matters - all children are the backbone of our existence and must be protected and provided care in all situations.

GIVING BACK:

Every day in May I will be summiting Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver for the tiniest fighters, our younglings who are faced with serious illness and adversity every moment of their young precious lives.

My journey will be documented daily throughout social media.

The donations will be split 50/50 to two charities:

• British Columbia Children's Hospital (Vancouver).

• The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Toronto).

If you were ever helped by these hospitals, or if you simply believe every child deserves the best possible chance, please join me on this journey.

$31,000 CAD is the goal to reach throughout the 31 days in May. Although, I believe we're going to smash our goal with flying colors.

Together, we can make sure our next generation of children get the miracles that were given to me.

Sincerely, John A. Buchan