Amelia's ALL

Meet Amelia! She's excited to be attending this year's Wheels for Wishes Car Show taking place on Saturday, July 13th - all in support of Candlelighters NL! We hope to see you there too!

At Canada’s Circus Spectacular show courtesy of Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador ! Such a fun afternoon - we were WOWED by the stunts, especially the aerials and bikes!

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Today we celebrate National Cancer Survivors' Day, acknowledging the resilience and courage of cancer survivors everywhere. Your journey inspires us and reminds us of the power of hope and determination.

And to complete our catch up - May 28 was World Blood Cancer Day!

🎗️💛World Blood Cancer Day 🎗️💛

⬇️⬇️⬇️ THIS healthy, happy kid brought to you by blood cancer research, blood donations and a whole lot of pediatric blood cancer expertise at the Janeway!

Approximately every 30 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Everything changes when you hear the words your child has cancer. You never think it will happen to you. It seems so rare and foreign - until it's not.

🎗️Blood cancers are the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada.
🎗️Approximately every 73 minutes someone in Canada dies from one of the top three blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma), or almost 20 Canadians per day.
🎗️The median age of a Leukemia diagnosis in Canada is 15 - Amelia was 2 1/2.

You can help blood cancer patients by supporting research and awareness (ie The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada ), donating blood ( Canadian Blood Services - join Amelia's team on the app!), supporting cancer patient programs (such as Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador ) and being aware of the symptoms - tiredness, pain, a small pin prick rash on the skin, unexplained changes (signs in graphic below)

And another repost - this one is very personal and we are extremely grateful!
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This chair belonged to Amelia's great grandmother and was passed down to her after her cancer diagnosis (see photo in comments)... The original seat was over 100yrs old and she being 3 at the time, she managed to put her foot through it. We FINALLY found The Honest Cobbler who was excited to help us restore it! They did a fabulous job and the whole family is excited to see this chair continue to be loved 😍

And another - this one is relevant if you are a grieving parent:
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Danielle lost her son in Kaiden to cancer in 2019 and now hosts these calls for bereaved parents through the TRF to provide support and connection for parents who are facing their loss of a child from cancer. They meet monthly. More information available through the post below 🎗️💛🎗️

For family members who have experienced the loss of a child to cancer, join TRF mom Danielle as she hosts Virtual Bereavement Family Support Group meetings every third Thursday of the month.

In honor of her son Kaiden, she provides a space where families who have lost their children to pediatric cancer can come together to support one another. Last month, Jesse Robinson, Tyler's brother, joined to share his experience of life after his brother's passing. If you or someone you know could benefit from connecting with others who share this journey, please reach out to [email protected]. 💜

Another repost 💕
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The AMAZING teams at this year's Spin for Camp Delight!! So much gratitude for them all and especially team ALL for Amelia comprised of Amelia's big brothers and friends!

You can still donate and help us send a kid to Camp Delight - Newfoundland's ONLY pediatric oncology summer camp!

Just realized that our recent posts didn't post publicly!! Will be resharing those that are still timely today 💕

Public Interest Group on Cancer Research - Newfoundland and Labrador Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is a successful partnership between public and scientists!

Spin for Camp Delight is THIS SUNDAY!

Did you know that it costs Candlelighters NL approximately $1,500 to send one child to camp - at absolutely no cost to their families?!

Your support for this fundraising event helps Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador to continue sending childhood cancer patients/survivors and their siblings to Camp Delight - the only pediatric oncology camp in all of Newfoundland and Labrador!

Click below to help send a kid to camp 🥳 And please share 💕

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Love Amelia and her biggest fans

ALL for Amelia! 2018 when she was only 2 years old, my younger sister Amelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a blood cancer.  After 803 days of treatment/chemo, she rang the bell in October 2020, just days before her 5th birthday.  Candlel...

Another year, another SPIN FOR CAMP DELIGHT!

Amelia's older brother and friends are spinning this year in Amelia's honour 💕

Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador was a huge support for our family during Amelia's treatment and continues to be a big part of our lives. This Spin is a fundraising for their Camp Delight - Newfoundland and Labrador's ONLY medically supervised pediatric oncology camp for cancer survivors and their siblings.

2018 when she was only 2 years old, Amelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a blood cancer.

After 803 days of treatment/chemo, she rang the bell in October 2020, just days before her 5th birthday.

Candlelighters provided assistance and support during Amelia's hospital stay, fosters connections and peer support between pediatric cancer families through gatherings and holiday parties, grants scholarships to survivors and their siblings and offers a week long summer camp - Camp Delight - to survivors and their siblings!

Please help in our efforts to send kids like Amelia to camp!

ALL for Amelia! 2018 when she was only 2 years old, my younger sister Amelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a blood cancer.  After 803 days of treatment/chemo, she rang the bell in October 2020, just days before her 5th birthday.  Candlel...

Come out and support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada !

Get your tickets for this special event in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Atlantic Region and this years Visonaries of the Year candidate from NL Stefan Pike

Tickets here: https://www.tixr.com/groups/tickettide/events/our-songs-hosted-by-chris-andrews-98048

Steele Honda VOCM Tony Murray Shanneyganock The Ennis Sisters Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society MusicNL@followers

Today is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

One day, hopefully, parents will never again hear "your child has cancer".

That will take research.... Awareness drives funding.

Please remember Amelia's hard years, her struggle and her fight. 803 days of treatment before age rang that bell. Know that your donations to childhood cancer research will drive research into better treatment options and hopefully, one day, a cure. And that your blood and plasma donations are critical for many children like her and donate if and when you are able.

THANK YOU to everyone who has supported her and other children on their cancer journeys and for your efforts via funding, voice advocacy and/or blood product donations. It means the world to families like ours
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It's World Cancer Day.

Thinking of the 18 million people globally who will hear those words this year....
... Of the 10 million lives worldwide that will be lost annually to a form of cancer....
.. Of their grieving families and loved ones....
... Of the patients fighting with every ounce as they struggle through harsh treatments....
... Of their families and loved ones who support, cry, hope, who do everything they can to help and yet feel helpless....
... Of the survivors, smiling, laughing and living life as they cope with the after effects and late effects of years or months of treatments.....
... Of our brave, beautiful girl. Of the fear and the horror. The coma. The tubes. The blood. The drugs. The beep. Beep. Beep.

Hearing those words - for yourself or someone you love - is heartbreaking.

We will forever be grateful for the love and support of community, friends and family, the knowledge and skills of doctors, nurses, hospital technicians and workers and the dedication of researchers, charities, blood donors and community.

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Amelia's sweet little friend is swimming in her honour in the Swim for Hope in support of the Cancer Care Foundation
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You can donate below if you are able, or share this post to help spread the word!
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Swim For Hope: Kylen Smyth - Cancer Care Foundation On February 2nd, 2024 , I will participate in the 27th annual Swim for Hope. Swim for hope is a partnership between Swimming Newfoundland and the Cancer Care Foundation which raises funds to support cancer patients and their families in Newfoundland & Labrador. 

We were really sorry to miss Light the Night this year in support of the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada BUT Amelia drew this picture for them.

It shows one of their red lanterns with a helping hand inside, hearts to show love and appreciation and the message "Thank you for helping kids like me. I love you. Amelia"

We received this note from the society - her picture was framed and given as thank yous to volunteers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and the top fundraising Carter’s OshKosh B’gosh Canada store (also close to our hearts as Amelia was the Atlantic Hero in 2021!)

Amelia was really proud to do this for them and we are humbled to know it brought others joy 💕

Amelia was thrilled to light the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador Wish Tree last night!

It is so special to us to help launch their Christmas campaign in support of Make A Wish - all proceeds go to help children like Amelia receive their very own special wish!

Link below to donate!

Light It Up: RCMP NL kicks off 38th annual Wish Tree Campaign in support of Make-A-Wish Foundation

RCMP NL held the annual lighting of their 14-foot Wish Tree last night, with eight-year-old Wish Kid Amelia flipping the switch to light the tree and officially mark the launch of the 2023 Wish Tree Campaign.

Chief Superintendent Pat Cahill spoke to the long history the RCMP has with Make-A-Wish.

“RCMP NL has been a proud partner of Make-A-Wish for over 38 years and we are delighted to launch this wonderful campaign again this year,” said Chief Superintendent Cahill. “I extend our sincere appreciation to our employees and Detachments, communities, businesses and organizations for all that they continue to do each year for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Participating RCMP NL detachments throughout the province will be collecting donations and lighting up their Wish Trees throughout the month of December, to raise money to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses or severe genetic or neurological conditions in the province. Since its inception, the RCMP NL Wish Tree campaign has raised over $500,000.00 in support of wishes for children in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Barry Fowler, Make-A-Wish NL Chapter Director, attended the lighting. “The Wish Tree program, so brilliantly supported by the RCMP in our province, has evolved to become a substantial holiday tradition, resulting in the granting of so many life-changing wishes to critically ill children across Newfoundland and Labrador. We are so honored and grateful for this dedicated partnership.”

Other attendees included Make-A-Wish families, board members, RCMP employees and other supporters.

Stay tuned to RCMP NL social media to learn more about participating detachments in your area.
To make a donation to Make-A-Wish NL this holiday season, please visit: https://makeawishca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1200

leukemia shared Amelia's story in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

We both believe that sharing our cancer stories not only creates awareness and I creases research/funding but also helps patients and their families cope. Thank you for sharing Amelia's story 🌻🎗️🌻

The Faces of Blood Cancer - ALL They continue to share updates and other stories as well as support organizations that were a great help to them such as LLSC and Candlelighter's by participating in Light the Night Walks and doing bottle drives and more.

🎗️3 year End of Chemo Anniversary!!!🎗️

3 years ago today she had her last doses of chemotherapy medications!

TODAY, officially her chance of relapse drops significantly: After chemo for Childhood ALL is completed there is a 10-20% chance of relapse, with 90% of relapses occuring in the first 36 months.

Another milestone checked!

It doesn't change what she has been through, how we live our lives, or the late effects she has to face. But somehow, knowing another milestone is under her belt lets us breathe just a little better - a reassurance that she continues to do well!

Onwards and upwards my beautiful Baby Girl!

Folks!!

It's that time of year! We are on a mission for Candlelighters to secure some donations for prizes at their upcoming Night of Delight Dinner Dance and Auction...

All proceeds go to Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador and Camp Delight - the ONLY medically supervised oncology summer camp in NL.

Are YOU able to donate a prize or product? ⬇️
🎗️Do you craft, bake or own a business?
🎗️Work at a store or organization with product or services to offer?
🎗️Have unused or unopened gifts you can pass along?
🎗️Have that thing you bought but never got around to using or returning?

No donation is too big or too small! Items are often bundled into baskets/lots and we are grateful for ANYTHING 🌻

➡️I can send my official ask in an email and/or the Candlelighters letter if that would help! Just pm to let me know where!

Thanks in advance and please help spread the word!!

If something seems off, get it checked out!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Approximately 1,000 children 0- 14 yrs are diagnosed with cancer annually in Canada, and 110 die from the disease.



https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2021002/article/00001-eng.htm

I remember how excited I was when I got my first brunette Barbie - how wonderful it was to have a doll that resembled me in a small way...
.. Well imagine how excited both Amelia and I were when we arrived home to a special package from CureSearch .... A limited edition, not- for- sale Brave Barbie in honour of kids like Amelia! A BARBIE THAT IS BALD LIKE SHE WAS!

Thank you Mattel for creating these dolls to show kids how beautiful, strong and brave they are & donating them to patients and survivors. Play is such an important processing tool and I think this initiative is a fabulous one!

One final shout out from our Wish Trip - Give Kids The World !!!

This all inclusive resort is partner to Make-A-Wish Canada and is exclusive to Wish Kids and their families during their Wish Trip to Orlando! It was founded by Henri Landwirth, a holocaust survivor who didn't want any child to miss out on the trip of a lifetime due to logistics surrounding accommodations.

The resort was magnificent and all the volunteers and staff were so amazing!! We had such an amazing trip!! We loved the koi pond, carrousel, the Castle of Miracles and Amelia's favourite - the pool! See some highlights from the resort below 💕

Give Kids The World is now our Happy Place! We cannot wait to visit as Alumni and volunteer there on our next visit down south!!

Thank you SO MUCH GIVE KIDS THE WORLD for everything you do!!!

Today was Miracle Treat Day in support of the Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation 💕🍦💕

And shout out to our local Dairy Queen -
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill on Great Southern Drive knocked it out of the park, the whole store turned into a big celebration and you could feel the excitement among the staff and customers. Really fun!! Amelia had a blast and was very proud her brother was one of those behind the counter 💕 Plus, she ran into our local champion child and her friend, Abi!

** If you missed it you can donate online - and next year, be sure to get your treats at Southlands DQ! **

Link to donate : https://childrenshospitals.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=584

Our Wish Trip was actually part of something MUCH bigger!! Make-A-Wish Canada 's 40th anniversary celebrations!! To mark the occasion they invited 40 families on an adventure to Florida - the most wishes granted simultaneously ever! We enjoyed the celebrations, parties, fun, meeting other families and the charter donated by WestJet Airlines - it was amazing to be part of this historic event!

Thank you again to Make A Wish Canada and WestJet and ALL their partners who made the celebrations possible !

Can't wait to get a blizzard... Or a few 🍦🍦

TOMORROW is MIRACLE TREAT DAY!!! Proceeds from EVERY Blizzard sold tomorrow will be donated to the Janeway to help kids in our province get the best possible care and return to the activities they love ❤ Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations Dairy Queen

Amelia couldn't wait to visit Legoland to see the mini-brick city!! And she loved Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto, especially the tunnel!

Thank you Make-A-Wish Canada LEGOLAND Florida Ripley's Aquarium of Canada 💕💕💕

Keeping with our castles and royalty theme for Amelia's wish trip, we visited Casa Loma in Toronto where Amelia was thrilled by the Windsor Room set aside for visiting royalty. Then at Universal we visited Hogwarts (she loves Harry Potter!) and Hard Rock (rock n' roll royalty 😉)

Make-A-Wish Canada Casa Loma Universal Studios Orlando, Florida Hard Rock Cafe Orlando Thank you!!!

As I mentioned earlier, we are recently back from Amelia's Wish Trip to Florida!

We were thrilled when we were invited on Make-A-Wish Canada 's 40th Anniversary! Amelia wanted to see castles and get a princess makeover, so the trip to Florida to visit the parks was the perfect fit! We visited Disney first where she was made into Princess Aurora at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and then dined at the Cinderella Castle with Aurora, Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty and Jasmine! We also had an amazing day at Animal Kingdom and another at Hollywood Studios Star Ward area where Amelia was thrilled to make a lightsaber!

Stay tuned for more of our fabulous adventures!

Make-A-Wish Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador Walt Disney World Thank you SO MUCH!