Sick Kids Foundation hosts friendship bracelet swapping | Beauty-and-fashion

Since she was diagnosed with intestinal failure at age eight, Keira Gayowsky has spent much of her life at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Taylor Swift’s music helped her get through it, she says, inspiring strength and body positivity.

Last March, moved by a line from the song “cardigan,” (you drew stars around my scars), the 17-year-old got a tattoo to cover the loonie size scars on her arms from her numerous surgeries.

“A lot of her songs and her lyrics centre on themes of resilience, and a lot of that is what I used to get through my time,” said Gayowsky who will attend the Eras Tour show next week in Toronto.

Gayowsky’s health is now stable, and she is in her first year at the University of Guelph, majoring in criminal justice and public policy. She still comes to the hospital every two weeks for visits and checkups.

Patients like Gayowsky inspired the SickKids Foundation to host a special Friendship Bracelet Tree activation event, on the eve of the Swift’s Toronto tour dates, to connect their community with Swift’s fans.

The foundation made 3,000 custom “SickKids love Taylor” bracelets and encouraged patients, staff and the public to come and swap bracelets — a worldwide trend embraced by Swifties at Eras Tour shows. The event runs from Wednesday to Saturday on the front lawn of the hospital.

“It’s really just like a nice way to connect with the community that loves Taylor Swift so much. Her music just brings so much joy to the patients and families and creates memories and really helps give them strength and bravery,” said Taylor Huff, a spokesperson for SickKids Foundation.

On Tuesday morning, SickKids Foundation staff hung friendship bracelets and a “SickKids Love Taylor” banner around two towering trees in front of the hospital. The banner was signed by many SickKids patients who left messages to express their love for Swift and welcome her to Toronto.

“There are no words that can articulate the impact you have had on me. Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. You are an incredible role model and continue to inspire me every day,” a message from “Jocelyn” read.

Amelia Medeiros, a 12-year-old Swiftie who came to SickKids Hospital every month for oral surgeries said she was surprised to see a friendship bracelet-swapping event here.

“I love her positive attitude. I’ve watched videos of her and how she cares about her fans and everything, which is really nice of her,” said Medeiros.

While Medeiros didn’t secure a ticket for the Eras Tour show, she said if she could go, she would wear outfits from her favourite Swift album — “Fearless.”

“I always watch her videos on the tours,” said Medeiros. “It’s just cool to see how many people admire her.”

SickKids Foundation has also launched a sweepstake contest to give one lucky Swiftie two 100-level Eras Tour tickets to the Nov. 23 show in Toronto, plus $10,000 cash. Entry is open until Sunday.