Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008 Location: Markham Fairgrounds Launch Website
When I saw Shania Johnston in the Markham Economist & Sun paper, I knew I had to write about it! I knew Shania before she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the nervous system. Shania and her friend Bronwyn sold beaded bracelets and t-shirts, starting her legacy that would become Shania’s Sunflower of Hope for Neuroblastoma Research. She wanted to raise money to find a cure for The James Fund so that other children wouldn’t suffer like she did.
At the Fun Fair last year, the Johnston family, neighbours, and friends raised $40,000. This year they hope to raise the bar with $60,000. The event this year will be held on May 3rd at the Markham Fairgrounds from 10am to 5pm.
I will never forget Shania Johnston. When she lost her battle to her cancer, it changed my life. I now support her charity by making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and keychains – just as she did. What do you say? Open your bead box at home and let’s get started!
May 1, 2008 – On January 26th 2006, my precious baby boy, Andrius
Jazyk, came into this world at only 26 weeks gestation. Thanks to
the suberb medical facilities and staff at Mount Sinai's NICU, my
special little guy survived this tremendous ordeal and has blossomed
into the mischevious two-year-old he is today.
On May 31st 2008, I will be walking 5 km for Andrius in the Pedal
for Preemies bike/walk/run-a-thon hosted by The Linden Fund. I am seeking sponsorship for this event to help The Linden Fund raise money to help support Ontario NICU's.
The goal for Team Andrius is to raise $3000, representing my three lost pregnancy
months. If you could support our team with a
monetary donation of any amount, we would be much appreciative. Alternately,
if you would like to walk with us, please join our team!
Your donation will be a small step towards making a difference. Read More >>
Shania's Sunflower of Hope:
1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008 Time: 8am Location: Markham Green Golf Club, 120 Rouge Bank Dr. Markham Entry: $75
Payments can be made at the event. Cheques will also be accepted in advance to: Shania’s Sunflower of Hope, 71 Rose Way Markham, ON L3P 3N2 (tax receipts are availible upon request).
Shania Johnston was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in June 2006. She had a tumor removed from the inside of her skull, which was putting pressure on the main artery to her brain. She was treated with Chemotherapy (seven cycles in total) and has had her adrenal gland removed, where the cancer had metastasized from. The disease is also in her bone marrow, her spine, on her pelvis, and legs – she still has two tumors on the inside of her skull. Shania has been fighting this cancer with a grace and determination that has been an ongoing inspiration to many.
She began fundraising one misty day in August with her friend Bronwyn – beaded necklaces, bracelets, and keychains. They inserted their price lists into Ziploc bags, set up a table, and went at selling them. All the neighbours bought some. One neighbour went to work and got 64 more orders. Shania decided to call her fundraising endevours Shania's Sunflower of Hope – sunflowers are Shania's favorite flower and she wanted to help children with Neuroblastoma.
In April 2007, after a short period of freedom from the disease, she started to relapse. Shania Johnston passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 8am. She was surrounded by her loving family, Shayne, Karen, and little sister Shannon. Shania's Sunflower of Hope is forever her legacy.
Food Banks
Markham Food Bank Contacts:70 Main Street, North, Markham Tel: 905.472.2437
Free service that provides emergency food to low income residents of Markham.
Salvation Army Community and Family Services Contacts: 9329 McCowan Road, Markham Tel: 905.472.3009 | Fax: 905.472.0981
Assists families with food, clothing, and furniture.
UAC's Free Store runs from 10am to 12 noon on the third Saturday of each month. It provides assistance to needy families by making non-perishable food items and children's clothing available for anyone who needs it.
The Free Store does accept donations of gently-used clothing and non-perishable food items.
Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank Contacts:Churchill Baptist Church | 15336 9th Line North, RR3, Stouffville Tel: 905.640.4704
UAC's Free Store runs from 10am to 12 noon on the third Saturday of each month. It provides assistance to needy families by making non-perishable food items and children's clothing available for anyone who needs it.
The Free Store does accept donations of gently-used clothing and non-perishable food items.
Proceeds from this year's gala will benefit the expansion of Markham Stouffville Hospital's Maternal Child Department.
Evergreen Hospice 11th Annual Spring Fashion Show
Date: Monday, April 21, 2008 Location: Grand Baccus Baquet and Conference Centre
2155 McNicoll Ave, Toronto Tickets: $65.00 Tel: 905.472.5014 Launch Website
Proceeds help fund Evergreen Hospice’s free-of-charge palliative care and bereavement support for children, teens and adults living in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
8th Annual Markville Aerobathon and Fitness Challenge
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008 Location: Sunnybrook Park, Sports Pavilion
| Toronto Time: 9am – 11:15am Launch Website
After learning that his close friend Jeff Graham had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, Chris Mulchinock, owner of the Markville Fitness Club, spearheaded an event to raise funds and awareness for brain tumour research and patient support.
To date, Markville Fitness’ Aerobathon and Fitness Challenge has raised more than $35,000 for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada since Mulchinock started the event in 2000. Proceeds from the annual Aerobathon will be presented at the Toronto Spring Sprint, the kickoff event for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s national campaign of fundraising walk-a-thons. Spring Sprint events are 5 km walk/runs held in 19 cities across the country.
Toronto’s Spring Sprint is held in Sunnybrook Park on April 26
Mulchinock is not only motivated to raise funds for the cause because of his 27-year friendship with brain tumour survivor Graham, but driven by the indiscriminate nature of this disease.
“With brain tumours there is no rhyme or reason as to who gets afflicted. Brain tumours are unlike many other diseases that are so often preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices. Jeff was a fit young man — 29 years old — when he was diagnosed, which proves it can happen to anyone young, old, men, women, healthy and not,” said the Markville Ftiness Club Owner. “My commitment to holding the Markville Aerobathon is in honour of my friendship with Jeff Graham and I am extremely proud when we can raise funds for the Spring Sprint and encourage everyone to attend the Sprint.”
The Aerobathon and Fitness Challenge, held on April 16 at 9:30 am at Markville Fitness Club, has continued to build momentum throughout the years. What started as a classic aerobathon eight years ago has now morphed into a fitness extravaganza that includes the aerobathon, fitness challenge, spinathon, road run and silent auction.
“There is a lot of anticipation for this year’s event,” says Mulchinock. “Club members have been building up friendly rivalries about who is going to out do each other all year,” said Chris.
The range of activities also appeals to Markville fitness’s diverse clientele. Participants can select their favourite activity or tackle more than one. There will also be pizza supplied by Boston Pizza.
“The Spring Sprint Committee is honoured by Chris’s commitment to his friendship with Jeff and his dedication to the Spring Sprint. Each year, Chris is on-hand at Toronto’s Spring Sprint to do the popular pre-race warm up for more than 500 walkers and runners,” said Sherri Jordan, Spring Sprint, Event Co-ordinator.
“It is very important for people who have been affected by a brain tumour to have an event where they can garner support of each other,” said Jordan. “We are proud to be able to unite family and friends of people affected by brain tumours and provide them — and anyone who comes out to the Spring Sprint — with a sense of hope that exists.”
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Toronto Spring Sprint will be held at Sunnybrook Park, Sports Pavilion on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 9 am, rain or shine. To sponsor a team or to support a friend and/or family member affected by a brain tumour, please log on to www.springsprint.ca.
11th Annual Legacy Run for Markham Stouffville Hospital
Date: Sunday April 27, 2008 Location: Markham Stouffville Hospital
9th Line & Church Street (N. of Hwy 7) Warm-up: 9:40am Race Start: 10:00am (rain or shine)
Route: 5K through the beautiful Cornell community Awards Party: Post-race BBQ lunch included with registration Registration: Adults $30 Students $25 (fee waived if students submit $25 or more in pledges by April 18) Teams: $225 (fee waived with $500 or more in pledges submitted by April 18) Event Day Registration for Adults & Students: $35
REGISTER EARLY
Event Shirts and Race Kits for the first 2000 registered participants!
For every $50 a participant raises in pledges, their name will be entered into a draw for a NINTENDO Wii System Console or a Sport ticket Package (includes 2 Platinum tickets for Toronto Maple Leafs and 2 court seats for Raptors).
Many Fabulous Brooks and Canadian Tire PLEDGE Incentive Rewards!
Please visit www.legacy5k.ca for more details.
Island Paradise: Evergreen Hospice Gala 2008
Date: Friday, February 15, 2008 Location: Angus Glen Golf Club
10080 Kennedy Rd, Markham, Ontario Time: 6:30pm Tickets: Early Bird: $175 | Regular: $200
–– EVENING INCLUDES ––
VIP Sponsors Cocktail Party
Complimentary Bar
Fine dining with entertainment by Jazz Diva, June Garber
Silent & Live Auctions
Raffle
Evening dancing to the Turning Point Band
Proceeds from Island Paradise Gala help fund Evergreen Hospice's free-of-charge palliative and bereavement support for children, teens, and adults living in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville who are touched by a life threatening illness or death of a loved one.
Cornell Family Supports Lung Association Fundraiser
Team Pace Setters, from left: Natalie Makruch, Shane Dewling, Mike Bonello, and Mike Makuch.
November 2, 2007 – Toronto – The 2nd Annual Amazing Pace was a resounding success, despite the drizzly weather and strong winds. More than $60,000.00 was raised by 44 Teams who competed to support the Lung Association in its efforts to fund research and education to benefit those who suffer from Lung Disease.
Shane and Sheri Dewling, both Markham (Cornell) residents and contributors to SayItCornell.com, are deeply committed to this event each year. Sheri is on the organizing committee and fundraises for Shane’s Team that competes and managed to raise the most funds for the 2007 event.
Shane and Sheri are parents of 3-year old Zoey, who suffers from asthma. In her short life, Zoey has spent nights in emergency, had repeated bouts of pneumonia and takes daily puffers to help her breathe and protect her lungs from pneumonia. In 2006, Sheri left a 20 year career and position as a software executive to remain home to help restore Zoey’s health. “Nothing makes a parent feel more helpless than having a sick child,” says Sheri. “Our work with the Lung Association helps us feel that we are making a difference, in some small way, for Zoey and children like her.”
Zoey is a success case for the Lung Association and this success was celebrated in her position as Youth Ambassador for the 2007 event. She has received excellent care and the treatment advances are making her condition more manageable. “It’s important to hold events like The Amazing Pace with people like our Markham neighbours who cared enough to help… because, let’s face it, when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters,” said Shane.
The Amazing Pace is a take-off on the popular TV show, The Amazing Race. Imagine racing with other teams throughout the city’s streets, solving clues and overcoming ‘Checkpoint Challenges’ presented as ‘Detours’ and ‘Roadblocks’! Put these pieces together and you have the Amazing Pace. This event tests participants both mentally and physically as they try to outwit each other by being the first team to reach the final Checkpoint in the least amount of time.
The Lung Association is among Canada’s longest standing, most respected not-for-profit health promotion organizations. It is a leader in the prevention and control of chronic lung disease, asthma, tobacco cessation and prevention, and air quality and its effects on lung health. The Association provides education and support to people living with lung disease in Ontario and is a registered charity that relies on the generosity of donors and educational partners across the province. The Lung Association has invested more than $27 million into lung health research carried out in Ontario.
For more information on the Lung Association, its events, and how to make a donation, please visit www.on.lung.ca.
Shania Johnston passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 8am. She was surrounded by her loving family, Shayne, Karen, and little sister Shannon.
Young Markham resident Shania Johnston was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer of the nervous system) in June 2006, and succumbed to her disease just a year later. She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up and through her cancer battle, she was able to teach us about courage, strength, selflessness, love, and perseverance far beyond her young years.
She inspired many more.
To make a donation to Shania's Sunflower of Hope for Neuroblastoma Research, please visit any TD Canada Trust location and deposit your contribution to Account #521 2832. All proceeds go to The James Fund for Neuroblastoma. Your ongoing support for Shania's cause are always appreciated – believe.
Our hearts are with the family during this devastating loss. We will never forget you, Shania Johnston. We believe together we can find a cure. We believe.
July 2006 – The Johnston family is Cornell-based, meaning they don't live here but frequent Cornell businesses and parks on a regular basis as their home is just on the other side of 9th Line. They often visit grandparents who live in the community of Cornell too.
Oldest daughter of Shayne and Karen and sister to 5-year-old Shannon, 7-year-old Shania was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a very rare form of cancer affecting the nervous system, this passed summer.
Tel: 905.472.2437 
