Lunch for Limbs: A family’s journey created support for research into rare limb conditions

Jan 14, 2026

*Maryse Bouchard (centre) with Daniel (centre left) and Lisa (centre right) Giannini and their three children at the Lunch for Limbs event.*

Daniel and Lisa Giannini’s inaugural Lunch for Limbs fundraising event on November 16, 2025 was an opportunity to both honour their son’s resilience, as well as to pay tribute to the health-care professionals advancing care for the thousands of children in Ontario diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders each year.

The couple recalls their disbelief and panic upon learning late in Lisa’s pregnancy with their son, Giacomo, that he would be born with fibular hemimelia. A congenital disorder, fibular hemimelia occurs when the bone in the lower leg that extends from the knee to the ankle, the fibula, does not develop properly. This results in a significant difference in leg length, as well as differences in the knee and foot, limited motion and difficulty walking.

“As a parent, you feel so much pressure to have all the answers and to make everything okay for your kids,” Lisa says. “It’s overwhelming – you’re really relying on your child’s medical team to help you navigate all of this.”

Door opened to significantly better outcomes

Historically, there were limited options for the treatment of fibular hemimelia. In the 80s and 90s the field of limb lengthening was established, with developments in the 90s and 2000s improving the ease and accuracy of the procedures. Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers and clinicians, new leading-edge surgical procedures have opened the door to significantly improved outcomes.

In 2021, the Gianninis were connected to Maryse Bouchard(MSc ’11, PGME Surgery), a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and an associate professor of paediatric orthopaedic surgery at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Bouchard, who completed a surgical residency and a master’s degree at U of T, both cares for and researches paediatric foot and ankle disorders. She also conducts medical device and surgical technique innovation.

Last summer, little Giacomo underwent an extensive surgery led by Bouchard and her team. The team reconstructed and stabilized his ankle and hind foot and applied a circular external fixator that gradually lengthened his fibula and tibia more than four centimeters. While more treatments will be needed as he grows, Giacomo is now a thriving four-year-old who is able to walk and run without any associated pain or discomfort.

Support for paediatric orthopaedic surgery research

In the year following Giacomo’s surgery, Lisa and Daniel found themselves reflecting on how advances in care had shaped their family’s experience. They decided to take action – launching Lunch for Limbs to raise funds and support for paediatric orthopaedic surgery research at Temerty Medicine.

Their inaugural event, held at Copper Creek Golf Club, attracted nearly 200 attendees. In addition to enjoying a wide range of food and entertainment, guests also heard directly from Bouchard and the Giannini family about the urgent need for philanthropic investment in this important medical sub-specialty. The success of this event raised more than $85,000 in support of Bouchard’s research.

Research in paediatric orthopaedics is essential because every child’s needs are unique.

As Bouchard explained, paediatric orthopaedics demands a unique approach for each child because of the variability of conditions, the rarity of many children’s diseases and their important biopsychosocial needs. And while incredibly resilient, the speed at which children’s bodies grow and change require vigilance and ongoing treatment adaptation.

Research in paediatric orthopaedics is essential because every child’s needs are unique.

The complexity of these cases also requires specific tools and equipment to effectively care for the children as they heal, which can lead to a bottleneck in the facilities and teams available. For example, in Ontario, only four hospitals provide 75 per cent of paediatric care for fractures, compared to 22 hospitals who do so for adults. And in 2023, there were more than 17,000 children on the waitlist for orthopaedic surgery in Ontario alone.

Every child’s needs are unique

“Research in paediatric orthopaedics is essential because every child’s needs are unique,” explains Bouchard. “Their conditions are often rare, their bodies grow quickly and care requires specialized tools and expertise.”

Bouchard has focused her clinical research efforts on surgical innovation, as well as understanding the long-term outcomes of paediatric foot and ankle conditions. Her goal is to better understand how children with foot and ankle problems will be impacted into adulthood and to improve access to orthopaedic care both locally and globally – reducing the barriers to timely, high-quality care for children across Ontario and beyond.

“The support of our community means we can expand our research and care initiatives,” continues Bouchard. “And with thousands of children waiting for surgery, innovation is critical to give them the support they deserve.”

Originally published by Temerty Faculty of Medicine