MONTREAL, July 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Jérémy Gabriel from Québec City (Québec) and Hunter Woodhall from Syracuse (Utah) have been selected as Shriners Hospitals for Children's patient ambassadors for 2012-2013. The announcement was made on July 4, 2012, after the premiere of their video: "Two Worlds Apart - One Place of Hope" during the Imperial Session of Shriners International (National Convention) in Charlotte (North Carolina). Jérémy took the stage in front of over 10,000 Shriners from throughout the world to perform a song and share his story.
Every year, Shriners Hospitals for Children® chooses two patient ambassadors to represent the thousands of children who receive care at the health care system's 22 facilities annually. Throughout the year, the Ambassadors will share their stories to inspire others and raise awareness for the hospital system.
The Artist:
He has sung for both Céline Dion and the Pope; he has recorded two albums and co-authored a book. He was born deaf.
Jérémy Gabriel, 15, of Québec City (Quebec) was born prematurely with severe facial malformations and other complications requiring intensive care. Jérémy was finally diagnosed at 6 months with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. In addition to head, skull and facial deformities, children with this condition generally have absent or malformed ears, which can cause hearing loss.
Jérémy was referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada at the age of 5 for treatment. There, the family met Lucie Lessard, M.D., a plastic and craniofacial surgeon. Dr. Lessard suggested a BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) Implant which would allow him to hear. Thanks to a special program funded by Daughters of the Nile Canada (international charitable organization of women related to Shriners); Jérémy received his implant in June 2003, at age 6. After the surgery, Jérémy was fascinated with sound, and discovered he could sing. In fact, he has perfect pitch. Jérémy is scheduled for additional facial reconstructive surgery later this year.
"Without the life changing BAHA implants thanks to the Daughters of the Nile, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Dr. Lessard, I would have never been able to hear, let alone sing" expressed Jérémy. "Now that I have been chosen as patient ambassador for the entire hospital system, I will be able to share my story and instill hope in families living through difficult situations. It is truly an honor to be named ambassador and speak on behalf of the hospital system throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico" he added.
Jérémy now attends a high school specializing in performing arts, where he is an excellent student. He is preparing for a career in the music business.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children®
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada
Located in Montreal since 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing pediatric orthopaedic ultra-specialized care for complex disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), severe spinal and limb anomalies, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Children from across Canada, the U.S. and around the world have benefited from the hospital's ground-breaking research and innovative treatments, both in Montreal and in their own communities.
Video with caption: "Jérémy singing after being named ambassador at the Imperial Session of Shriners International (National Convention) in Charlotte, North Carolina". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120704_C6005_VIDEO_EN_15970.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15970.jpg&clientName=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29&caption=J%26%23233%3Br%26%23233%3Bmy%20singing%20after%20being%20named%20ambassador%20at%20the%20Imperial%20Session%20of%20Shriners%20International%20%28National%20Convention%29%20in%20Charlotte%2C%20North%20Carolina&title=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29%20%2D%20Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent&headline=Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent
Video with caption: "Video: Perfect pitch: Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Canada patient who was born deaf chosen as Ambassador for 22 hospital system for his singing talent". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120704_C6005_VIDEO_EN_15922.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15922.jpg&clientName=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29&caption=Video%3A%20Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent&title=SHRINERS%20HOSPITAL%20FOR%20CHILDREN%20%28CANADA%29%20%2D%20J%26%23233%3Br%26%23233%3Bmy%20B%2Droll&headline=Perfect%20pitch%3A%20Shriners%20Hospitals%20for%20Children%26%23174%3B%2DCanada%20patient%20who%20was%20born%20deaf%20chosen%20as%20Ambassador%20for%2022%20hospital%20system%20for%20his%20singing%20talent
Image with caption: "Jérémy Gabriel at groundbreaking ceremony for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada, Fall 2011 (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15911.jpg
Image with caption: "Jérémy singing after being named ambassador at the Imperial Session of Shriners International (National Convention) in Charlotte, North Carolina (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15964.jpg
Image with caption: "Jérémy signing autographs for his fans (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15966.jpg
Image with caption: "Jérémy and Hunter (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120704_C6005_PHOTO_EN_15967.jpg
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/07/04/20120704_C6005_DOC_EN_15915.pdf
NOTE FOR MEDIA: On Wednesday, July 4th from 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Jérémy will be available for phone or on-camera interviews in Charlotte (Please call Emmanuelle Rondeau) and also on Thursday, July 5th as of 1:20pm, upon his arrival at the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (Please RSVP with Gemma Bélanger)
Source :
IN CHARLOTTE
Emmanuelle Rondeau
Communications & Marketing Manager
Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada
Cell: 514-207-1057
[email protected]
IN QUEBEC
Gemma Bélanger
Information Officer, Public Relations
Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada
Office: 514-282-7222/Cell: 514-207-2267
[email protected]
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