Wishes of Hope make dreams come true for children with cancer

Taking a page from The Dream Factory and Make a Wish Foundation is a local initiative that is striving to make the lives of children battling childhood cancer easier.

“Through Wishes of Hope we can give them the joy that children should have,” said Cindi Rempel Patrick, executive director of Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS). “There are lots of things that make kids happy and when they’re not physically well then you need to bring in something that would bring them some joy, Wishes of Hope does that.”

Wishes of Hope was initiated by Dr. Ben Townsend who contacted SCSS because he was a long-time donor to The Dream Factory, which is a Manitoba based charity that grants the wishes of children battling life-threatening illnesses. He wanted to do something similar that would have a local impact.

“Me and my wife always say there can’t be anything tougher in life than watching one of your kids suffer, so we can’t imagine what some of those families are going through. But if we can provide at least a little bit of joy and some memories that will last forever for these families that would be what we would aim to do,” he said.

Between 50 to 60 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in the province, according to Cancer Care Manitoba.

Rempel Patrick said by granting children’s wishes it helps in their treatment and healing.

“Because when things are positive and things that are joyful then definitely its very instrumental in healing. Physically, emotionally, mentally it gives them a huge boost and when you have positive endorphins that are in your body it’s so significant to the healing process…It improves their wellbeing and when your wellbeing is improved, your body can fight off disease better.”

Wishes of Hope can currently grant wishes that are affordable. Rempel Patrick said while they don’t have money to send kids to Disneyland yet they would have money to send a kid to West Edmonton Mall, redo their bedroom, or meet a local celebrity.

Nominations are currently being accepted for Wishes of Hope. Nominators are asked to get the parents’ permission prior to submitting an application. Children must be between three and 17 years old and living in the Southeast. The child must have an active cancer diagnosis and must not have received a wish from another wish granting organization.

To nominate a child visit secancersupport.ca/wishes-of-hope-referral-form.

Those who wish to donate to Wishes of Hope can contact Rempel Patrick directly at 204-326-8571 or crpatrick@secancersupport.ca.