My team
My Story
Just over three years ago, my nephew had a headache. It continued for a couple of weeks and on a Saturday morning, my partner took him to the emergency room. By the end of day, he was in surgery at Sick Kids to remove a potentially fatal brain tumour that was later diagnosed as cancer. This was in Fall 2018. Between 2017 and 2022, J had multiple recurrences of his cancer and was in and out of hospital and Bloorview. Every time, J's first request upon leaving was to ask about attending Camp Ooch.
When J expressed interest in a camp that he'd heard about for kids with cancer, we immediately began to investigate it. Within a month, in August 2019, he attended his first Muskoka overnight camp and the cost was nothing for our family. After his first camp, he attended Ooch Camps in Toronto, as well even participated in an online video "campfire" during Covid time. The smile that he had being able to participate in this, and the joy I saw when I attended with him, is my reason to run this race and fundraise. As a runner, participating in this is the least I can do to help kids like my nephew attend these camps at no cost.
This year will be much tougher. Last year, J scootered along with our group as we ran the virtual race. Unfortunately, J will not be able to come with me this year, as he passed away on January 28. As much as it's hard to do this without him, I know he'd want other kids to be able to attend the camp where he met some of his dearest friends, and had some of his most memorable moments. Camp Ooch allowed J to be a regular kid, and that's why I am running.
Thanks for your donation.
Description
Childhood cancer changes lives. So does camp. And so can you.
A diagnosis of childhood cancer changes life in an instant. For kids and families, it can suddenly feel like everything is about cancer. Simple childhood joys like friendships, birthday parties, or sports teams being left behind in the need for medical appointments, hospital stays, and long absences from school.
Whether it’s in a hospital setting, in the community, online or at overnight camp, CAMPFIRE CIRCLE* fills the void, creating safe spaces for kids to be kids, so families can be families, at no cost to them.
It’s where curiosity and confidence, bravery and acceptance come to play, and healing through happiness is on the agenda, every day, and in every way! Kids and families are never alone, because there’s always room for one more in the circle.
Your support of Sporting Life 10K ensures that CAMPFIRE CIRCLE’S programs continue to reach 1,700 kids and their families every year. Your gift will make life-changing experiences possible.
*Did you know that Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium merged in 2020, and that we have a new name? Announcing … CAMPFIRE CIRCLE! We aren’t changing what we do—we're just changing our name.
Achievements
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 01 | Ashley, Emily and Oliver | Undisclosed amount |
| Feb 01 | Anna & Tony Teti | $215.26 |
| Feb 01 | Allison Maldonado | Undisclosed amount |
| Feb 01 | Moonyene & Ken Boyd | $75.71 |
| Feb 01 | Courtney Carty | $107.91 |
| Feb 01 | Anna and Don Rusk | $215.26 |
| Feb 01 | Anonymous | $54.24 |
| Jan 30 | Laura & Jonathan | Undisclosed amount |
| Jan 30 | Alex Christodoulou | Undisclosed amount |
