On a freezing day in Brigden, Waylon fell through an ice-covered pool. The toddler arrived cold and lifeless at his local hospital in Petrolia.
It was all hands-on deck for the local hospital. From doctors and nurses to EMS and lab techs, everyone rallied to keep Waylon alive, working tirelessly for three hours to obtain a sustained pulse and warm up his body.
Meanwhile, Dr. Janice Tijssen, a critical care physician at Children’s Hospital, was on the phone providing expert guidance. She also dispatched the hospital’s Neonatal Paediatric Transport Team. 
Waylon’s heartbeat became more regular shortly after the transport team arrived. Working with the local medical professionals, they rushed him to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) at Children’s Hospital.
Medical professionals provided post cardiac arrest care to protect his organs, neuroprotection and kept him stable. They also continued rewarming efforts.
Waylon needed critical care for a week and then he graduated to the inpatient floor. There he needed to relearn how to walk, talk and eat. He progressed amazingly fast, and the family was discharged home after about two weeks in hospital.
Today, it has been more than a year since the drowning and Waylon is happy and thriving. He loves playing and laughing with his older sister, Aberdeen, whom he adores and has a sense of humour that keeps his family entertained.
Supporters like LCBO help make Children’s compassionate care possible. LCBO’s Annual Holiday campaign helps give the gift of equipment, programs, clinician education and research, which change the lives of children and families facing critical illness like Waylon’s.
For over two decades, donations at LCBO’s tills have raised a lifetime total of over $7 million. This year’s Share the Joy, Give with Purpose campaign ensures that children like Waylon have expert care when it matters most.
Thanks to every donation at LCBO, Waylon went from a near-death experience to being a happy, smiling, great little boy who gets to grow up focused on just being a kid. You help ensure children, youth and their families have access to life-saving care and life-enriching programs. You can help create more life-saving moments and more quality of life.
Today, you can join LCBO in sharing the joy and giving with purpose. Donate at an LCBO register to help create joyful moments for our children and their families who are in the hospital this holiday season.
