Our Story
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!
It was difficult to travel or get away while Elliana was on treatment. Campfire Circle was the only place we felt safe to go. It brought Elliana and the rest of the family a much needed break - to spend time together as a family and with others with similar experiences. Having onsite oncology nurses gave our family a chance to relax, have some fun, and forget about cancer just for a little bit, knowing that if anything were to go wrong, help was close by.
Ellie is almost three years off treatment now. But she continues to attend camp - whether for just a weekend in the fall or winter or an entire week in the summer. She has made so many friends - which means more than you know. Every single camper has gone through or is currently going through the same or similar journey that Ellie has gone through. And the bond that they form is so special.
Your support ensures that Campfire Circle's programs continue to reach kids and their families every year. Your gift will make life-changing experiences possible.
Description
Bring Joy, Friendship, and Connection to Kids Who Need It Most
Every day, thousands of kids across Ontario face cancer or serious illness – and miss out on the moments that make up childhood. Laughter, friendship, and adventure are replaced with hospital visits and isolation.
For 42 years, Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium) has brought healing through happiness to kids with cancer or serious illness and their families. Through our in-hospital, community, and overnight camp programs, we create opportunities for children to build friendships and social skills, develop self-confidence and resiliency, and improve their overall well-being. By providing play-based experiences, we empower kids to take back their childhood, regardless of their medical diagnosis.
But today, more than 40,000 children in Ontario are living with serious illnesses. With your help, we can reach even more of them.
Our goal is to serve 10,000 kids by 2030, and when you donate to the Sporting Life 10K, you join a circle committed to that vision. Your generosity ensures every medically fragile child can experience Campfire Circle’s life-changing programs when they need it most, at no cost to their families.
Together, we can grow our circle of care and help deliver healing through happiness to more kids and families across Ontario.
Team members
Click on one of our team members below to make a donation.
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Amy Maurer
Raised: CA$642.38
Team captain
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Adrian Maurer
Raised: CA$373.17
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 04 | V. Chan | Undisclosed amount |
| Mar 03 | Jibran Imtiaz | CA$107.91 |
| Mar 03 | Shaun Kentwell | CA$215.26 |
| Mar 03 | Michael and Anna Maurer | Undisclosed amount |
| Feb 05 | Anonymous | CA$54.24 |
| Jan 10 | Bonnie, Matt, Tai and Aila | CA$54.24 |
