Hi,

90% of children will have at least 1 ear infection before the age of 2. While most children recover quickly without any problems, others will experience multiple infections per year leading to missed school, hearing loss, and – in some instances – complications like a hole in the ear drum or dangerous infections such as meningitis. These patients require the placement of ear tubes to drain troublesome fluid from their ears until their own natural ear drainage system (called the eustachian tube) develops. For some children, the Eustachian tube NEVER develops properly and they require ear tube after ear tube to stay healthy. Our son, William, is one of these children. He has had 10 ear tube operations and his fluid has come back again causing him infections, pain, and hearing loss.

Dr. Joshua Gurberg is an expert in treating this developmental problem of the Eustachian tube with an innovative operation that opens up the Eustachian tube itself, with the potential of eliminating the need for further ear tubes. Dr. Gurberg completed fellowship training in Boston with Dr. Dennis Poe, who pioneered this minimally invasive operation that passes a balloon into the eustachian tube through the nose to dilate it. The surgery has been performed on many children in Europe and the United States with good effect and safety but is not yet recognized by RAMQ. Although medical care is covered, the equipment required for the operation, including the balloon, must be purchased privately for about $1000 per intervention.

We have decided to offer William, who has failed all standard treatments, this innovative surgery, but Dr. Gurberg has informed us that there are other children waiting who could benefit from this treatment. We have decided to invest in helping him treat these other children, and that’s why we are asking for your help today to raise funds.

With the help of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, we are asking you today to help Dr. Gurberg obtain the necessary equipment to treat his patients for whom conventional interventions are not sufficient, continuing the tradition of surgical innovation at Montreal children’s hospital.

On behalf of Dr. Gurberg, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, William, and future beneficiaries, THANK YOU!

Please make a donation today and help us reach our fundraising goal!