Help Ollie raise money

Ollie is 10 and was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma ALK Positive in November 2019 when he was 7. In those first months of chemo we heard about this amazing free program called Heroes Circle run by Kids Kicking Cancer Canada and reached out to them about joining. Sensei Lyne told us he could start anytime he was ready. Unfortunately just after his second round of chemo, Ollie relapsed in his brain, going blind and requiring a stem cell transplant with his sister's cells. It was a bumpy road to get there, especially with smoother brain relapse and the pandemic, but finally in July 2020, Ollie had a lifesaving transplant with his sister's cells and got on the road to recovery. 

In September 2020 when we got back from transplant, mom Dawn contacted Sensei Lyne to explain that Ollie was now blind,  in a wheelchair and severely immuno-compromised, but asking if he could try karate. Dawn asked Sensei Lyne if they could teach a kid in this situation, but acknowledged it was a tall order and would underhand if they couldn't. Sensei Lyne responded that she didn't see why not, but ahead talk to some of her volunteer Senseis to see how they could help him. Sensei Lyne came back saying that she and Sensei Cody would do it virtually with Ollie and his sister and they'd learn how to be better teachers and give better verbal instructions to kid by working with him. 

Ollie started martial arts with them in October 2020 and quickly built enough strength and balance that he was out of the wheelchair in just weeks. He did weekly instruction online for 18 months, getting stronger and more confident as time went on. It's made an unbelievable difference in his life and he is determined to one day achieve his own black belt. In the meantime he's happy to help Heroes Circle to help other kids like him and recently inspired them to start a program to help blind and low vision kids like him (who are medically complex, too) through a partnership with the CNIB. 

We remain forever grateful to this program and all Senseis who have selflessly given their time to helping to build stronger survivors. Please help us to pay it forward by making a donation today and allow Heroes Circle to support more kids to find their #PowerPeacePurpose.

You can read more about Ollie's story via his mom's blog here or follow him on Instagram.