Frank Panabaker Student Selected as MacKids Walk & Wheel Patient Ambassador
MacKids Walk & Wheel is an annual tradition for patients, families, and supporters of McMaster Children’s Hospital, including Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre.
The event is going virtual for 2021 and participants are encouraged to choose their own adventure and complete their activity any time from June 4 to 13. Some suggested tasks include: 
- Walking 7 km – The distance from McMaster Children’s Hospital to Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre
- Go for a 45-minute bike ride – The average time of a child’s MRI scan
- Commit to walking four to six times over 10 days – On average, a child wears a cast for four to six weeks to treat a broken bone
- Choose an adventure with a personal connection: hours mom was in labour, number of clinical appointments, child’s jersey number – the sky’s the limit!
HWDSB is also excited to share that Mattis, a student at Frank Panabaker Elementary School, has been asked to be a MacKids Walk & Wheel Patient Ambassador!
By the time Mattis reached Grade 3, his parents were concerned because he was struggling to control his emotions and was falling behind in terms of physical growth. He was also seen by Endocrinology at McMaster Children’s Hospital, where the team treated Mattis with hormone therapy to support his physical growth into adolescence and beyond.
Mattis was recently diagnosed with level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), which were all making social interaction challenging.
Now 14 years old, Mattis is doing well in school and making new friends. “It’s wonderful to watch our son shine and live life to its fullest,” says his mother, Cécile.
Mattis is excited to be a Patient Ambassador for the 2021 MacKids Walk & Wheel. He will be walking different routes for eight days that begin and end at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre. During this multi-day adventure, Mattis will even be making a stop at Frank Panabaker!
Click here to learn more about Mattis and the other 2021 MacKids Walk & Wheel Patient Ambassadors. You can also donate and join Mattis’ team here, and view his Walk & Wheel route here or through the screenshot provided below.
Updated on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.