Newsletter April 2022
MEAGAN'S HUG NEWSLETTER
April 2022
The HUG is just around the corner! Come walk with us as we dedicate this year’s event to families affected by paediatric brain tumours and send a message of hope to all Ukrainian families displaced by the war. Help welcome the Ukrainian families who have come to Toronto for their children’s cancer treatments.
Meagan’s HUG is a family-friendly event for all ages and abilities. Join as an individual, or bring your family, friends, and colleagues!
Secure your ticket for admission today!
JOIN IN PERSON
- Attending the event in person? Click here to secure your ticket for admission today!
- Next start fundraising! Click here to create your own personal fundraising or team page or join an existing team!
- Invite your friends to donate and tell everyone about the walk & HUG
SUPPORT AT A DISTANCE
- If you cannot join the HUG in person, join us at a distance! Fundraise and plan to walk in your neighbourhood on May 7th.
- Click here to start fundraising! Create your own personal fundraising or team page or join an existing team!
- Invite your friends to donate and tell everyone about the walk & HUG
We all are united in purpose and share a vision of a world free of brain tumours.Wherever you are, wherever you walk & HUG, you are making a difference!
Message from the Founder
I appreciate daily the strength I receive from this community of hope. This has been true for over 20 years!
It all began with my quiet thought that I did not want anyone to have to walk such a path alone. Others should be surrounded by the strength of a caring and compassionate community.
The challenges of the past two years- staying apart, missing family members and friends, both happy and sad occasions when we wish we could be together- these have been our reality. And yes, it has been difficult. Yes, we still have a bond, a spirit and determination that make us do this work. Our actions, wherever we do these, are significant.
I invite you to join me at this year’s 21st AnnualMeagan’s HUG. After this two year hiatus, I will be heading to Fort York National Historic Site onSaturday, May 7th, to gather with our community to begin our walk through the streets of Toronto, and create the circle of hope, the HUG, around SickKids.
And if you cannot join me at Fort York, I invite you to register and participate from wherever you are. Meagan’s HUG has friends and supporters far and wide, and we welcome all!
Denise Bebenek
Founder- Meagan’s HUG
Dr. Eric Bouffet’s Global Vision
When Dr. Eric Bouffet arrived in Toronto with his family in 2000, he had accepted the new role as Director of the Paediatric Neuro-oncology Section, developing and leading a multi-disciplinary neuro-oncology program at theThe Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. It was a new country, a new opportunity with great plans ahead!
Now, 20+ years later, effective April 30, Dr. Bouffet is stepping back from his clinical activities at SickKids, as well as his faculty position as a Professor of Paediatrics at theUniversity of Toronto, where he will continue asProfessor Emeritus. His plans now are not to retire but to remain involved in many activities, directing his talents and energies to serve the global community in different ways.
Dr. Bouffet began his medical career as head of paediatric neuro-oncology at Centre Bérardin Lyon, France in 1987, followed by a position asSenior Lecturer at the University of Bristol, inEngland, starting in 1996. He then moved in 1998to the Royal Marsden in London. Dr. Victor Blanchette, Head of the Division ofHaematology/Oncology at SickKids, recruited him in 2000.
It was not long after his arrival in Canada, that Dr. Bouffet crossed paths with the Bebenek family, when Meagan, age 4, was diagnosed with an inoperable and malignant brain tumour.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bouffet has advocated strongly for collaborative approaches in both research and patient care. This led to a dream realized with the establishment of Meagan’s HUG Neuro-oncology Fellowship. This Fellowship receives multiple applications each year, and is fully funded by Meagan’s HUG. The first Fellow, Dr. Alvaro Lassaletta, from Madrid, Spain, was welcomed in 2014. The ninth Meagan’s HUG neuro-oncology Fellow from Sweden, Dr. Mari Wilhelmsson, will start work here in Canada inJuly.
This collaborative approach also includes international consultations with patients their families, and their physicians, offering no cost international neuro-oncology teaching sessions to haematologists and oncologists; as well as a monthly international twinning program, conferences and rounds with national centres in Pakistan, Jordan, Ukraine,China and Malaysia-Singapore.
Dr. Bouffet is known internationally for his innovative work with clinical trials, and with new drugs. He has a keen interest in brain repair and rehabilitation, and with his colleagues has careful regard for the quality of life of his young patients. The list of Dr. Bouffet’s professional affiliations is lengthy, so too the list of numerous awards, some for his humanitarian work.
His engagement with Meagan’s HUG began in 2001, and over the years he has been featured as a keynote speaker, at various Meagan’s HUG events, including the Mother’s Day Weekend signatureHUG event, and The Crane Ceremony. He is an avid supporter of Meagan’s HUG, follows the progression of this organization closely and engages in many aspects of its development.
Hallmarks of Dr. Bouffet’s medical practice are kindness and empathetic care. At Meagan’s HUG events he is quickly surrounded by his young patients and their families; he appreciates the opportunity to walk in solidarity with others and is loved for his respectful and compassionate presence.
What does Dr. Bouffet’s plan for the future hold? At first, Dr. Bouffet would like to spend more time with his family. And his professional interests will see him continuing to work in low and middle income countries, particularly in Africa. He also is maintaining a research appointment at SickKids and a keen interest in research activities. With some careful planning and a cooperative schedule, he hopes to continue to be part of Meagan’s HUG events.
So not a retirement plan, rather a new direction and opportunity; and not “adieu”, but “À bientôt”!
Meagan’s HUG applauds Dr. Bouffet for his contributions to the health and well-being of children everywhere, and thanks him for his support of this organization. We look forward to his return visits, early and often!
Save the Date - First Annual School HUG Day
Meagan’s HUG engages thousands of students in its “KidsHelping Kids” school program, which encourages compassion and kindness in students of all ages, while fostering leadership skills and opportunities.
This year Wednesday, June 1st is the day when Meagan’sHUG celebrates its message of hope with its first annualSchool HUG Day.
All schools are encouraged to host their own school hug event, which welcomes everyone in each school community to be part of the “circle of hope”. Circle the date on the school calendar, initiate a fundraising drive, plan the countdown, and plan to hug around the school, in the playground, or in the gym! Wherever works best for your school, get involved!
Cranes of Hope
Please join us at the annual Meagan’s HUG Crane Ceremony on Friday, April 29th, 2022.
When Meagan was diagnosed with a brain tumour, she was 4 years old and a junior kindergarten student. Her school community was dedicated to supporting Meagan and her family in whatever way they could.
In the spring of 2001, the entire school community- teachers, administration, students of all ages, support staff- was busy folding origami cranes. Origami is the art of paper folding, and in Japanese tradition, folding 1,000 paper cranes gives a person a chance to make one wish come true.
In early May, a few thousand of these colourful cranes, many inscribed with messages of hope and affection, were presented to Meagan at a special ceremony in the school yard.
Each year, thousands of cranes made by students from across the GTA are presented to Meagan’s HUG Heroes and their families. You are welcome to be part of this event, as we wish the Heroes well, and send them our messages of support and hope.
Known for fresh high-quality pasta products,Queen’s Pasta supports Meagan’s HUG through sales of specially marked packages of the Queen’s Pasta Star Ravioli product. Foreach package sold, a portion of sales will be directed to Meagan’s HUG. Please stop by their retail location – you are in for a treat!
Since 1983, Queen’s Pasta has been known
for providing their customers with innovative products, fine food and stellar, friendly service.
Thank you for your generous support!
HOPE FOR UKRAINE
In early March, Meagan’s HUG was asked to prepare for the possibility that families from Ukraine could be arriving in Toronto. These families would include children deprived of their cancer treatments in Ukraine who would need support. A quick response was needed to address pleas for help.
Meagan’s HUG secured support quickly from the UkrainianCanadian Congress (UCC). This includes Ukrainian-speaking volunteers to bridge the language barrier while providing support.
The next several days focused on bringing business leaders from across the city to support these families. The corporate and community response was amazing, with several organizations offering support. CanadianApartment Property Real Estate Investment Trust (CAREIT)was the first to answer the call, generously providing rent-free accommodations for the first six months.
Thus far, 6 families have arrived, and now have their children in the care of SickKids. With the assistance of the UCC, each visiting family has also been paired with a local “host” family to assist them as they become acclimatized to their new city.
In response to this humanitarian crisis, Meagan’s HUG has established a separate fund to support the needs of these Ukrainian families during their stay in Canada. If you would like to donate to this campaign, any and all financial support is most welcome. (live link to Hope for Ukraine donation button) Donations of $20 and more can receive a tax receipt for a charitable donation.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Meagan’s HUG Charitable Info
Registered Charitable Business Number
774077473 RR 0001
Canada Revenue Agency:
CONTACT US
3273 Bloor St W, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1E2, Canada
Thank you to Meagan’s HUG newsletter volunteers,
Debbie Tong, Anna Muir, Blair Day
