28 Aug Inaugural wish granted out of OAPC “Wishes Forever” Make-a-Wish Canada® Legacy Fund
Thanks to the generous donations and fundraising efforts of our members, we’re pleased to announce that we have been able to grant our first Make-a-Wish Canada® legacy fund wish to Ivy, a resilient 9-year-old leukemia survivor from Clayton, Ontario.
For over a decade, the OAPC, in collaboration with its member paramedic services across Ontario, have been raising money for Make-A-Wish Canada® through the OAPC “Wishes Forever” legacy fund. The objective was to amass a capital trust fund of $250,000; the interest from which would perpetually fulfill the wishes of children like Ivy. Having reached this milestone last year, Ivy’s wish signifies the birth of an annual tradition of funding wishes that promises to bring joy to countless more children.
“Throughout my many years in the paramedic profession, I have seen time and time again how profound kindness can be,” OAPC President Michael Sanderson says. “Our collaboration with Make-A-Wish Canada represents the compassion that characterizes our paramedic community. Achieving our goal, which enables us to fulfill wishes year after year, is exceptionally rewarding. We’re so grateful to be able to support such an important cause in this enduring way.”
This inaugural wish is an extra special occasion as the idea to support Make-A-Wish Canada originated in Eastern Ontario at the United Counties of Prescott and Russell Paramedic Services.
“This wish holds a special place in our hearts because Ivy calls Eastern Ontario home, and it’s where the idea of supporting Make-A-Wish Canada® came from all those years ago,” says Prescott and Russell Paramedic Chief and OAPC Eastern Director Marc-André Périard. “It was initiated by one of our team members whose nephew had been a recipient, and she saw firsthand how much joy that brought to him.”
Ivy’s journey began at age two when she fell ill, appearing lethargic and experiencing sore shoulders and legs. Ivy was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted to the hospital to undergo a grueling 28 months in treatment. What should have been time spent growing, learning, and playing was instead spent at the hospital enduring round after round of chemotherapy. Ivy lost crucial years of her childhood, fighting for her life while her family supported her the best they could.
Ivy wished for a backyard playset as she loves playing outside with her brother and enjoys any moment she’s out in the fresh air. Not only is the playset something she can enjoy for a long time, but it will also help strengthen her physical growth and development. Her family is beyond excited for her to be able to play, have fun and simply be a kid again. This wish is exactly what Ivy and her family needed to move forward and make joyful memories for years to come.
“It’s truly inspiring to see just how much this wish means to Ivy and her family,” Erin Bhatia, Chapter Director, Ontario, Make-A-Wish Canada shares. “We still have over 1,200 wishes here in Ontario alone waiting to be granted and to have the support of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs is instrumental in transforming these children’s lives!”