May the 4th Be With You

During these uncertain times we need to take care of our most vulnerable. The truth is that the uncertainty that we face today is the reality for families who have a child undergoing cancer treatments. Children on treatment have a compromised immune system so the world of washing, disinfecting and social distancing are part of life for these families. Although most of us can find comfort in the fact that if our children were to contract COVID19 they would get better. These families do not have that assurance. This pandemic is even scarier for them. Yet they still have to take their children out to get life saving treatments. They still have to travel to ensure their child is getting the care they need. There have been months and often years they have not been able to work in order to keep their child safe and to take them to their treatments. However we can help these families by providing support and where possible financial assistance while providing a fun family project.

Last year during our Tyler Robinson Foundation fundraiser we were able to present a $12,000 grant at our school to a local family who have a child fighting a brain tumour. Since that time their son, Owen has relapsed and is on an experimental treatment. His mom works at the SEEDs that shares our school building. This is just one family we have been able to help because of our school's generosity and this is how they are feeling during this difficult time.

Virtual Fundraiser/Show of Support

One of the favourite things that come out of our annual fundraiser for the Tyler Robison Foundation is the collage of photos of the students and staff dressed up showing their support. This year our event was planned to be on May 4th with a Star Wars theme of "May the 4th be with you" Although we are not at school we can still come together as a community to show support for these families and for this foundation that, thanks to our school community, is currently assisting families in Barrie, Stayner, Innisfil, Bradford, Sarnia and Newfoundland.

As an individual or a family team you can print the "May the 4th Be With You" sign or create your own sign with your own encouraging message for these families. In the spirit of our past fundraisers children (and parents) are invited to wear a costume that day. We are recommending Star Wars but there is no reason a princess or super hero can not send a positive message. See what you have at home, be creative we can't wait to see what you come up with. Please email a photo of your children or family holding their sign to kelly@trf.org. We will be making a collage for the school and for the foundation with the photos and would also like to include them in a video to be sent out to the staff of TRF to share with the families the foundation supports so that they know they are not forgotten in their fight and that we continue to be behind them. If your child/children would also like to record a short message of support we will include as many as we can in the finished video.

On this page you are able to sign up as an individual or as a family team to participate in this show of support. This is not necessary but will help us to know how many families are participating and to send those interested further communication as well as a copy of the "May the 4th Be With You" printable sign. It will also give you the opportunity to donate or fundraise if you wish. You can share with others what you are doing and the reasons you are participating and ask them to support your family through a donation. This foundation has always given far more to families in our community than we have been able to fundraise. In just the last month they have continued with monthly payments for our Canadian TRF families, sent emergency payments to cover additional costs incurred due to the pandemic, paid for travel and sadly covered the costs of 2 funerals. If your family is in a position to donate or fundraise at this time please know that any money will go directly to helping a family in our community. Fundraising is not necessary- we would love to have your message of support regardless of your ability to donate/fundraise.

Even if you aren't in a position to donate or to ask for donations we completely understand and would love your support and your voice on this project. We hope you will participate in showing your support.

For those who are able to collect some donations we will be reaching out and asking you to share your mailing address so that we are able to send some TRF merchandise to you as a thank you for supporting these families during this difficult and scary time.

About the Tyler Robinson Foundation:

The Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF) helps strengthen families financially and emotionally as they cope with the tragedy of a pediatric cancer diagnosis by providing grants specifically to offset out-of-pocket expenses. TRF meets a critical need in communities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Each year, 1 in 285 children are diagnosed with cancer. While many pediatric cancer organizations focus on growing awareness and support for families with the physical and emotional toll of a diagnosis, the huge financial hardship cancer treatment places on families is rarely discussed. During this emergency fund campaign the foundation has committed to every single penny donated going to families. The foundation has always given far more to Canadian families then we have been able to donate.

This is what some families have said about the support TRF provides:

"I can’t thank you enough for welcoming us to your family. Our family had fallen to pieces, our daughter fell ill with schizophrenia, I developed chronic seizures and then our son Owen was diagnosed with brain cancer. It seemed like all hope was lost and we were about to loose it all, our son, our family and our home. TRF stepped in and shared with us their love and compassion for life, and welcomed us into their family as one of their own."Munday family; Barrie, Ontario

"We can not say enough amazing things about The Tyler Robinson Foundation. They are like family to us and have been with us through all of our ups and downs. We are truly blessed to have The Tyler Robinson Foundation in our lives" Brissette family; Sarnia Ontario

Learn more about The Tyler Robinson Foundation in our community: