The magical gift of volunteering

In the blink of an eye, your life could change forever – especially if you’re one of the one in 12 Canadians who have a rare disease. 

Szymon Cajmer joined the list of one in 12 when he was diagnosed with a rare disease called mucopolysaccharidosis, a life-threatening illness in which the body is missing or does not have enough of an enzyme needed to break down long chains of sugar molecules. 

Szymon would take weekly trips to the hospital to get stabbed with needles, often in pain. His mother, Justyna described his skin “as thick as leather.” 

One thing that made the regular visits to Windsor Regional Hospital better for Syzmon was ‘Magic Monday’ – where magician Ron Gudel made things a little more special. 

“They looked at each other and it was just an eye-to-eye connection,” said Justyna Cajmer, Szymon’s mom. “It was his softness. He spoke to my son like nobody before. It gave me a relief because for a few minutes, I could relieve my eyes and my ears from looking after my son trying to guard him, wondering who’s next trying to poke him.” 

Gudel echoed the statement, adding how Szymon would brighten up a room with his warm personality. 

“He had a heart bigger than anything you could imagine,” said Gudel about Szymon, who died two years ago.

“He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people and he certainly brought joy to me and touched me. He became a friend.” 

With more than 10 years of experience as a magician, Gudel volunteers with more than 40 local health organizations. Including Szymon, Gudel has put smiles on more than 10,000 children’s faces – but he says it’s the kids who are truly magical. 

“I truly feel like I’m the luckiest guy on the planet,” said Gudel. “I absolutely love doing what I do. I get to make people happy.  If I can make their day a little better, whatever they ask … it’s done.” 

Bringing attention to Rare Disease Day

As part of a celebration of Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28, Gudel performed tricks throughout the night, bringing smiles to people of all ages. 

Justyna helped put on the second annual event to help raise awareness for Rare Disease Day. 

“We realized there is more need for it,” said Justyna about Rare Disease Day. “We can involve the community into building something that matters, that is going to show to everyone we matter no matter what shape or form, we matter no matter what experience.”  

Justyna added it is never easy to lose a loved one but believes through community, it is possible to go on.

“Ron … brought me hope. I started believing in the system, I started believing in humanity. I knew that I can go on,” said Justyna. “He is magical.” 

Justyna isn’t the only parent thankful for Gudel’s magic. Gudel also visited Jody Kumaravelu’s daughter and perform tricks.

“Ron is the magician my daughter believes in,” said Kumaravelu. “He is amazing. He makes her smile every time … I couldn’t ask for more.” 

‘Nothing tops having your own magician’

Jen Burton-Liang is a child life specialist at Windsor Regional Hospital who says Gudel has made her believe in laughter as medicine. 

“We do our best to try to bring activities to the kids and help them with coping and combat boredom, but nothing tops having your own magician,” said Burton-Liang. 

Gudel hopes to continue to have a lasting impact on the community and doesn’t see an end to volunteering as a magician for sick kids. 

“I can’t explain in words what Ron has done for this community,” said Justyna.

“Is it just his magic or is it him?” 

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