January 6, 2020

Donations in young girl’s memory help bring comfort to children’s emergency

Mienna Lamborn will always be remembered for her adorable little smile and the most beautiful blue eyes.

The Lamborn family’s world changed forever last February, when Mienna very unexpectedly passed away at 11 months old.

To honour the young girl’s memory, friends and family generously donated more than $27, 800 to a memorial fund page on Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s website.

Michael and Samantha Lamborn, Mienna’s parents, said the children’s hospital seemed fitting, as Mienna’s memory is now a part of something great that is needed by Saskatoon and the province.

“It was so amazing to see our family and friends come together to support us in this way. People genuinely want to help and this was a great way for them to do that and ease the pain. We are extremely grateful to everyone in our lives near and far. We hope that people continue to think of Mienna and know that because of their donation, not only did they help us, but they helped Saskatchewan families,” Samantha said.

The funds were designated towards furnishings for a family space in the Children’s Emergency Department on the ground floor of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Donations helped make the room as comfortable as possible for families with a sofa, a recliner chair, an end table, chairs and décor.

“As a family, we want to provide comfort and perhaps hope to someone else in a time of need. Mienna’s life was very short and we want her love and warmth felt by other families. She truly lit up a room with her smile, sky blue eyes and bubbly personality,” Michael said.

The new Children’s Emergency has room to treat more than 21,000 children and teenagers each year, and the family space helps care for families who need time to rest, reflect and find the courage they need to support their child and family.

“This thoughtful gift is making such an incredible difference for families in hospital dealing with an emergency,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, president and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful to Mienna’s family and friends for giving so generously through their own time of grieving and recognizing the importance of comfort for other families in hospital. Our thoughts are with this family, who have given selflessly in memory of such a special little girl.”