Blake Wheeler:

You would never know that Blake Wheeler started life off on the wrong foot. Blake and his fraternal twin brother Noah were expected to be born a few weeks early but nobody could have prepared for their severely premature arrival 14 weeks early.

Moments after their birth, parents Alicia and Wade were signing paperwork for blood transfusions for their fragile babies. The boys were unstable and heart murmurs were detected in both babies, meaning surgery was needed immediately. Blake and Noah were only together for two weeks before the surgery proved to be too much for Noah, who tragically passed away. Meanwhile, little Blake was in for the fight of his life, spending the next four months in hospital on ventilators, feeding tubes and IV lines. After 46 days, his parents were finally able to hold him for the first time.

Though the odds were once stacked against him, this sports-loving, energetic 12-year-old is now thriving. His courage to push through life’s difficulties have landed him the title of a true champion. It is why he is taking on
the important role of 2019 Saskatchewan ambassador for the Champions Program.

Because of their past adversities, the Wheeler family knows just how important a children’s hospital is. Blake’s dad, Wade, survived a bone marrow transplant at age 15 after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As a family, they recognize that Noah is half of Blake’s story. Blake is proud and honoured to serve as Champion to be a voice for other kids in hospital, and to honour Noah in a special way.