Grace was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, on April 4th, 2014. She was in Grade 3, at Grafton P.S.  Tragically, she passed away on March 13th, 2015, after a courageous battle. Even while battling her illness, Grace remained joyful, her spirit strong. She was our relentless spitfire full of joy and life.

Shortly following her passing, the SickKids family approached us with the idea of establishing a fund for Childhood Cancer. They recognized Grace’s desire to help others and her empathy towards children battling cancer. If Grace were still with us today, she would undoubtedly be leading the charge to support those in need; her compassion was limitless. 

Childhood Cancer remains vastly underfunded, prompting our decision to initiate this fund. Many are unaware of the staggering statistics surrounding Childhood Cancer. Unlike adult cancer, childhood cancer receives only a small fraction—3-5%—of government funding, leaving families disheartened by the lack of resources available for their children’s treatment. Despite significant medical advancements in other areas, treatments for certain Childhood Cancers, including Grace’s, have seen little progress since the 1970s. Funding for research into Childhood Cancers is scarce, with only a handful of drugs developed since 1980. The reality is stark: over a dozen major types and countless subtypes of Childhood Cancer exist, with survival rates ranging widely. 

Grace was the most passionate, relentless, caring and compassionate girl well beyond her years and is missed beyond measure. 

Our event aims to raise awareness and funds, as personal initiatives like these are vital for advancing research. Dr. Hopyan’s lab at SickKids is a beneficiary of the funds raised, and we are grateful for his dedication to improving outcomes for children with cancer. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of metastasis, a crucial step in developing more effective treatments and ultimately saving children. Dr. Hopyan and his team work hard to figure out how metastatic cells move through tissue in enough detail so those movements can be blocked. 

Dr. Hopyan’s work sheds light on the complexities of Childhood Cancer, highlighting the urgent need for continued research and support. Through events like ours and the generosity of communities, we strive to make a difference in the lives of children fighting this relentless disease.

More on Dr. Hopyan VS Grace’s Cancer – leads to a little write up by SK and her second commercial.

https://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/aboutus/newsandmedia/stories2016novdrhopyan