Login
Login

Joni Rieckmann

Share my page

I’m joining in the Teddy Bear FUN to help support world-class care for kids and families at the existing Stollery, while also bringing to life a new stand-alone Stollery for the future.

I’m participating in Teddy Bear Fun Fest on May 9, 2026, at Rundle Park. In addition to a 5 km fun run/walk/roll, I’m ready to enjoy a day full of FUN and FUNdaising in support of Stollery kids.

The Stollery is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. With your support, we’ll help kids from backyards across Alberta – and beyond access world-class physical and mental health care – and have a ton of fun while we’re doing it!

Want to help?

You can help me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation today. Your donation will not only support kids who need Stollery care today, but also help build a new, stand-alone Stollery designed specifically for kids and families for the future.

Join in on the fun!

The more the merrier – show your Stollery support and register today! Thanks so much for your support!

Matched Giving

Please help me reach my goal

Raised

$0

My Goal

$500

Select amount to donate

$25
Your gift of $25 could fund programs such as pet therapy for one hour.
$50
Your gift of $50 could fund programs such as music therapy for two hours.
$75
Your gift of $75 could support programs like Giving Comfort, by bringing the comforts of home to 10 Stollery families who unexpectedly find themselves at the Hospital.
$100
Your gift of $100 could support programing at The Beach – the play space at the Hospital – for three hours.

Or enter an amount

$
Donate

My Challenges

Created Page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My updates

Bodhi and the Kawasaki Dragon

Friday 17th Apr
Back in January, just after his first birthday, my sweet baby boy became INCREDIBLY ill. Nothing breaks your soul like holding your child who can't even lift their tiny baby head and is fading into nothingness before your eyes, while you have no ability to stop it. 

Bodhi was so very sick, with a fever of 40 degrees for many days, unable to eat or keep down fluids. My happy guy was crying constantly and painfully, writhing in his rash-covered skin. His eyes turned red, inside and out. His lips, tongue, hands and feet swollen and red. 

What we didn't know- and had never even heard of- was that the virus in Bodhi's body that had triggered an autoimmune response. Bodhi was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease. 

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a rare autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and, if untreated, has the potential to cause long-term coronary artery damage. It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries and requires PROMPT treatment (within 10 days) for the best chance at a full recovery.

Because many symptoms of Kawasaki Disease mimic other viruses, it can sometimes take multiple visits to emergency and many days (in our case 6) before care providers are able to distinguish a child's illness from something typical, that requires rest and care from home, from the severe disease it is. 

Bodhi endured more pain and suffering than any child should, but it was the care and treatment that he received through the Stollery that gave me my baby back. 

While in isolation (he also had Covid), he received 2 treatments of IVIG (High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin), countless pokes & prods, blood tests, ECGs and heart echos, followed by a long stretch of prednisolone (steroids), and daily aspirin to reduce his joint pain & swelling, as well as to prevent blood clots. His recovery continues, with upcoming heart checks (so far, so good), and many longer-term effects of the illness, treatment, and trauma that have surrounded this experience. A child's illness creates a rippling effect through the lives of everyone in the family. 

We are so grateful for all of the Stollery angels on Earth who supported our fragile baby when he became ill. How lucky we are to have this amazing facility in our backyard. We feel so strongly about the importance of continuing to raise dollars for the Children's Hospital, as well as to promote awareness for Kawasaki Disease. 

We appreciate your donations to the Stollery, via our Bodhi Fan Club fundraising page, to help invest in the hospital's ability to provide the specialized care they do for so many children across Canada. We will surely be walking, running, frolicking, and trotting our hearts out to celebrate your support! 🤍✨️

Our team members