Newsletter Summer 2022
MEAGAN'S HUG NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2022
A Message from our Founder
The emotional experience of walking again with the Meagan’s HUG community on May 7th is hard to describe. The two year hiatus lent intensity to the day.
Once again being together, seeing familiar faces and welcoming new participants: we all belong together, side-by-side, offering encouragement.
We say, “Hope Changes Everything.” Hope leads us to this effort. Hope brings us together. Our actions make a difference.
We heard again from our doctors and Meagan’s HUG Heroes how their lives are changed by our actions. Doctors remind us research continues to shine a light, leading to discovery of improved treatments that help children affected by brain tumour diagnoses to live healthier lives. Heroes tell their stories and show us why what we do matters.
Hope…equals hard work, tireless efforts, determination, and facing tough times.
Yes. Hope does change everything!
With abundant thanks for your kind support!
Denise Bebenek
Founder- Meagan’s HUG
BIKE FOR KIDS 2022: 5TH ANNIVERSARY RIDE!
On Saturday, August 13th, Team Bike for Kids will set out to mark the 5th anniversary of their epic ride across Canada that raised over $75, 000 to support families affected by paediatric brain tumours.
This year Bike for Kids will ride 150 km in one day, a distance which reflects the average kilometers covered in one day of their 2017 coast-to-coast effort.
Come cheer on the riders and say hello to the MH Team at the scheduled rest stops:
Etobicoke: Kara’s Café - 16 Hilo Rd 9:00am
Oakville: Croissant Express - 325 Lakeshore Rd E 10:30am
Grimsby: Station One - 28 Main Street E 1:30pm
YOUTH DAY TORONTO - 2022
On July 24th Meagan’s HUG was honoured to participate in the 16th Annual YOUTH DAY Toronto, a creative arts festival celebrating young people and their music, drama, art, photography, fashion and film.
YOUTH DAY offered a great opportunity for our Meagan’s HUG volunteers to meet young people and to tell them about this organization, and especially to highlight the great possibilities for youth to be engaged in the Meagan’s HUG school program, Kids Helping Kids.
Kids Helping Kids encourages young people of all ages to take action and to develop their own leadership skills while helping those in their own community who may be facing challenges.
Thanks to our Meagan’s HUG volunteers, Chris Van Gelder and Kathleen Walker, for their great support at YOUTH DAY Toronto 2022.
MEAGAN'S HUG 2022
The 21st Annual Meagan’s HUG took place on Saturday, May 7th, 2022. After a two year hiatus when an “in person” HUG was off limits, it was an intensely emotional day, with many familiar faces, new participants, all together, united in purpose.
A breezy and sunny morning- perfect weather! Fort York soon was busy as Meagan’s HUG participants arrived to enjoy the family-friendly activities, join the warm-up routines and hear some short speeches as we all waited for the walk to begin.
Dr. Inci Yamin, the 8th Meagan’s HUG Neuro-oncology Fellow, delivered a special greeting from the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), wishing Meagan’s HUG participants well. This year our Meagan’s HUG kilometres are symbolically “donated” to the IBTA’s 16th annual, global awareness campaign, Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours and its target to circle the Earth at its equator, a distance of approximately 40,000 kilometres.
10-9-8- 7…the Countdown Kids, all Meagan’s HUG Heroes, were on the stage, counting us down to the ribbon cutting marking the start of the walk.
Hope is integral to the spirit of Meagan’s HUG, and with that comes the determination to change the impact brain tumour diagnoses have on our children. Meagan’s HUG has been steadfast in its effort- and it is inspiring to hear about the advances made in paediatric care.
Following the completion of the HUG, hundreds of participants gathered for the Closing Ceremony where they listened intently to the speakers. All speakers echoed the importance of the theme, “bench to bedside”, a phrase that aptly describes the work supported by the Meagan’s HUG community. Research efforts at the laboratory bench are focused on achieving new and more effective therapies and treatments for the children.
Dr. James Rutka is a neuro-surgeon as well as Chair of the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto. As Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre (BTRC), his research interest focuses largely on molecular biology, and how brain tumours grow. A long standing supporter of Meagan’s HUG, Dr. Rukta participated this year with colleagues and his family.
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins, a colleague of Dr. Rutka’s spoke briefly as well. A clinician and senior scientist, and a Principal Investigator at the BTRC, Dr. Hawkins’ laboratory focuses on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a notoriously difficult to treat aggressive brain tumour. Dr. Hawkins underlined how research is collaborative, where labs work together to find advancements: “Just like Meagan’s HUG, we are stronger together.”
Joining Dr. Rutka and Dr. Hawkins on the stage were Meagan’s HUG Heroes, Jess Rosenbloom and Chris Dorsey. They both spoke of the community of support they find in Meagan’s HUG.
Diagnosed in 2013 when she was 9 years old, Jess knows too well about the unpredictable nature of brain tumours. After years of relative stability, progression in her tumour meant that treatment was resumed and completed only a few months ago.
Like Jess, Chris Dorsey first became aware of Meagan’s HUG due to his own experience with a brain tumour. In 2010, Chris was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, resulting in lengthy courses of treatments. His Team comprised of Dorsey family members and supporters has participated in Meagan’s HUG every year since. Chris volunteers is a variety of ways, including public speaking opportunities, when he has attested to the importance of Meagan’s HUG in helping young people like him. Knowing that funds from Meagan’s HUG supported the development of one of his chemotherapy protocols makes Chris even more determined in his commitment to this organization.
Meagan’s mother, Denise, spoke words that resonated with all the speakers- your support makes a difference, your persistence inspires all of us. Her words complemented those of the doctors and heroes alike. As a community, despite the challenges of the past two years, how inspiring it is to be together again. This community of hope remains strong!
It’s that time of year…as summer days fly by, families are already planning for September and the beginning of a new school year.
Here’s how you can help while getting ready for back-to-school shopping: Sign up for FlipGive and support Meagan’s HUG while making those back-to-school purchases!
Join the Meagan’s HUG FlipGive Team- it’s easy and it works with your day-to-day purchases. Same brands, same stores, whether shopping on-line or in person, earn cashback on every purchase. FlipGive is a simple way to direct cash back to Meagan’s HUG!
Earn cash back on almost everything that you and your family buy for your regular shopping needs. Gas for the car, travel, your favourite coffee and donuts, groceries, sports gear, and tech supplies, and gift cards galore.
FlipGive…is free for you to use. No membership fees or commissions.
FlipGive…doesn’t charge the buyer more. In fact, FlipGive users receive exclusive promotions and cash-back offers.
FlipGive…is for shopping online or in the store.
FlipGive…is for you, every day, no special purchases, nothing for you to sell!
Your cashback dollars are donated directly to Meagan’s HUG!
In the spring, Meagan’s HUG responded to a plea for help for families from Ukraine. The world has reacted with shock to the humanitarian crisis, as Ukraine’s population struggles to survive the hard reality brought on by the invasion of their country.
In collaboration with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Meagan’s HUG reacted quickly developing a support structure for the families who would be making their way to Toronto to receive cancer care and treatment for their children.
Seven families have arrived in Toronto and are all under the care of the amazing team at SickKids
These families, ranging in size from 2 to 5 members, currently have no access to government funds or income to support their ongoing day-to-day living expenses. Some families have parents actively seeking employment, but job options are limited and low-paying.
The funding needed to sustain all these families is $29,720 per month, and the estimated period of support needed is 18 months.
To learn more about how you can make a difference please contact info@meaganshug.com or make a donation to the Hope for Ukraine Campaign.
Megan's HUG Hero, Hunter
It is with sadness that Meagan’s HUG learned of the recent death of Meagan’s HUG Hero, Hunter Lillian Chamberlain.
In the summer of 2021, Hunter was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, an inoperable and malignant tumour.
A considerate and loving child, Hunter was known for her sparkling sense of humour and laugh, and positive ways, and made an indelible impression on her family, friends and inspired her community in Collingwood. She was especially a loving and caring presence for her sister, Londyn.
On May 7th, Team Hunter’s Beautiful Butterflies, participated in the 21st Meagan’s HUG. This day also happened to be Hunter’s 10th birthday. While Hunter was unable to participate in person, her spirit clearly inspired a determined and energetic HUG Team.
Meagan’s HUG offers condolences to Hunter’s family and friends. Hunter’s spirited ways will forever inspire, and she will always be missed and always loved.
Meagan’s HUG is proud that Founder, Denise Bebenek, was asked to be part of a series of podcasts produced by the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA). As a mother, Denise’s voice brings a different perspective to the podcast series, as she speaks about her family’s experience with a brain tumour and the loss of Meagan, and the power of community.
Since the beginning of the IBTA, Meagan’s HUG has been pleased to be part of this global network, a community for brain tumour organizations and anyone involved in the field of neuro-oncology. The IBTA works diligently to raise awareness worldwide about brain tumours, and to promote collaborations and projects that benefit all in this brain tumour community.
Their goal is to improve the quality of life for those affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, by working with prospective supporters, researchers, media, and others who are involved in some way in the neuro-oncology community. And through their work, the IBTA celebrates the determination and achievements, especially those of families and caregivers affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.
Newsletter Volunteer Recognition: Thank you Debbie Tong & Blair Day
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
