For immediate release

SickKids evaluates conjoined twins for separation surgery

TORONTO (December 14, 2004) ­ A team of physicians at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is currently assessing four-month-old conjoined twins for separation surgery. The twin boys, who are joined at the abdomen, arrived at SickKids on December 2 from Zimbabwe.

Tinashe and Tinotenda were born in July in a rural area of Zimbabwe and were accompanied to Toronto by their mother and a nurse. Over the next few weeks, a team of specialists led by Dr. Jack Langer, chief of General Surgery at SickKids, will evaluate the twins' medical condition and determine a treatment plan. The boys are the tenth set of conjoined twins to be treated at SickKids.

SickKids first learned of the case from Canadian physicians who delivered the twins while working in Zimbabwe. It was determined that SickKids was the only hospital able to offer medical expertise as well as financial assistance through the Herbie Fund to cover medical expenses.

To help cover the costs of the medical treatment for the conjoined twins and other Herbie Fund cases, donations can be made to the Herbie Fund through SickKids Foundation by calling (416) 813-6166 or a cheque can be mailed to: The Herbie Fund, SickKids Foundation, 525 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8.

The Herbie Fund, started in 1979, has helped more than 450 children from over 80 countries come to SickKids for specialized medical care that is not available in their home country. The number of children the hospital is able to help depends entirely on the amount of money donated to the Herbie Fund.

The Hospital for Sick Children, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. Its mission is to provide the best in family-centred, compassionate care, to lead in scientific and clinical advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in child health.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa Lipkin, Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children
Tel: (416) 813-6380