Sam's Day The Sam's Day family fun event was established by the Lack family as a special kind of birthday celebration for their son, Sam, who has battled neuroblastoma. Sam's Day has raised in excess of $100,000 for The James Fund and is funding the Sam Lack Drug Discovery Project at SickKids. www.samsday.org

Other Neuroblastoma Fundraising Events

Aidan's Quest Fund

Mitchell Fraser Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament

Sunday in the Park with Lilah

The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research

at SickKids

Honorary Patron Tom Hanks

About The James Fund:

In March of 2001 the The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at SickKids was created. The objective of the fund is to help researchers develop pilot data from feasibility studies to be subsequently used in new research grant proposals leading to new therapies for the treatment of patients with neuroblastoma. To date 17 neuroblastoma research grants have been awarded. Read More...

James Fund Research:

2002 Competition Details 2004 Competition Details Fund Update May 15, 2004 Post doctoral fellowship research partnership between Canadian Institutes of Health Research and The James Fund Click here to download James Fund Research Report for 2008 Click here to download 2007 Summary of Neuroblastoma Research at The Hospital for Sick Children

Download our Newsletters:

Download 2007 Newsletter

Download 2006 Newsletter Download 2005 Newsletter (28.1Kb PDF)   Download 2004 Newsletter (1.2 Mb PDF)   Download 2001 Newsletter (690 Kb PDF)   Read published articles about James: Reader's Digest, Feb 2006 issue: "The boy who lived to race" (And click here for video of James in the Soap Box Derby) Canadian Living, Mar 2006 issue: "A Little Boy's Legacy"

Past Events & Photos

Walk/Run for
The James Fund
Syd vs. The Kid
November 8, 2008
Congratulations to Syd Birrell and Doug Harris-Lowe for reaching their goals! Many thanks to Lee, Cheryl, Denise and Cheryl for organizing this event which raised $45,000. We are looking for volunteers for next year's organizing committee.

Toronto Marathon
October 19, 2008

Chris Bumstead and Jennifer Gillespie-Bumstead ran the Toronto Marathon in honour of their daughter, Breanna.

Toshiba Celebrity Golf Classic
August 18, 2008

Thank you to the many celebs and supporters who gave their hearts to our cause; to Toshiba for their generous support; and to our wonderful nb volunteers for their enthusiastic participation.

Harmony at Hell's Gate
August 16, 2008
A community concert at beautiful St. Peters on the Rock Church on Stony Lake, including 13 different performers, amateur to world-class professionals. Raising $1,327.

James Fund Beach Tourney
August 3 , 2008
Beach volleyball. Four guys and two girls on a team.

James Fund Golf Classic
July 21, 2008
After torrential downpours the skies opened and gave us a wonderful afternoon of great golfing and fun. We raised $63,000 in support of the James Fund Neuroblastoma Family Retreat! Many thanks to everyone who supported this wonderful event.

Exotic Car Day
June 22, 2008
Wow, what a blast! We raced around a track in a Ferrari, Porche and Lotus. Thanks to
Ian Law Car Control School and
GTA Exotics for raising $3,000 for The James Fund.

Songs for Hope
hosted by
Michael Burgess
May 29, 2008
This exclusive dinner at
Romagna Mia Ristorante in Toronto marked the official launch of the James Birrell Endowment Fund. Hosted by Michael Burgess, the evening netted over $100,000 and was dubbed by one guest as "the most fun event I have ever attended".

The Green Train March
Apr 12, 2008
Peterborough, On
Troops from the Armed Forces did the 3rd annual march through Peterborough, raising over $1,000.

1st Annual Invado Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament
Apr 5, 2008
Bowmanville, On
And oh what fun they had!
Don't miss the seond annual.

Legacy's Inner School Fundraising Taekwon-Do Tournament
Feb 23, 2008
Richmond Hill, On.
A marshall arts friendship tournament honouring a true life hero: Jackson White, and raising about $5,000 in Jack's honour!

Family Day Public Skate
Feb 18, 2008
The Sports Village, Vaughan, On.
What a beautiful way to spend Family Day! Supported by no less than 6 other neuroblastoma families who came out to show their support, the Wells/Curtis family raised
$3,500 for Kyle's Fight.
And how great it was to see our friends at The Sports Village.

Icewave Volleyball Tournament
Feb, 2008
at Beach Blast in Toronto, On.

This indoor beach volleyball tournament raised an astounding $93,000 for The James Fund!!
Many thanks to Rosanne and Alan, and everyone who supported this event. Your efforts have officially taken The James Fund to
over $2M in funds raised!

Walk/Run for
The James Fund
Honorary Chair Mike Fisher, Ottawa Senators

Nov 4, 2007
Trent University Peterborough, On.

What a blast! About 180 participants, including 40 neuroblastoma family members, raised just under $37,000 at this event and the highlight of the day was Mike addressing the crowd.

Proceeds in memory of Elgin Fraser of Ottawa, who lost his fight to Neuroblastoma at age 3, will help fund a joint neuroblastoma research project between The James Fund and The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Many thanks to all who participated, our sponsors, to the loyal committe which works so hard to organize this event, and to Mike for his support.
Download brochure
See media publicity
Ottawa Sun - Sep 29 '07
See photos of the Walk/Run

Walk / Run for
The James Fund
in Memory of
Colin Armstrong
Nov 5, 2006

What a beautiful event! Peterborough supporters held a walk/run to raise money for The James Fund in memory of Colin Armstrong, who also lost his courageous fight against neuroblastoma. With a goal of $10,000, this event raised a staggering total of $20,000! Special thanks to Katherine Armstrong for her outstanding fundraising.

CanadaWide for Cancer - HE MADE IT!!!

In August of 2006, David Visschedyk completed his 6,900 km ride across Canada to raise money for The James Fund. The Grande Finale to his amazing journey was throwing the first pitch at Sunday's Blue Jays Game and, with Timothy, presenting $110,000 to Diana for
The James Fund. Read more ...

Syd with Student Team SickKids at Heatwave 2006, Toronto's largest volleyball tournament. Many thanks to Rosanne and Alan, and to all the players who battled the heat to raise just under $100,000 for
The James Fund.

Space Mouse is at SickKids

Created by The Walt Disney Co.,
and dedicated to
The James Fund, Tom Hanks'
six-foot tall Mickey Mouse statue is now on permanent display in the
Garden Patio at SickKids.
Thank you MDS Nordion!

Read more ...

Syd Birrell, Mickey Mouse and

Space Mouse in New York, 2005

About James' Web site

This is the story of a young boy named James Birrell, who had just turned eight years old when he died of cancer. He had been battling terminal cancer since he was three.  

James' incredible story was told through regular e-mail updates by his father,

Syd Birrell. Syd's compelling Updates were forwarded to people around the world.  Now, James' story is also available through Syd's book "Ya Can't Let Cancer Ruin Your Day".

In a desperate attempt to save James, the Birrell family started The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at SickKids to find new treatment options which could save James from this rare and deadly form of cancer.  Since his death in 2001, The James Fund has become Canada's leading neuroblastoma initiative and has helped SickKids Hospital become a significant player in neuroblastoma research globally.

It is our sincere hope that this website will help you understand the challenges faced by children and their families as they fight this deadly disease, and will inspire you to help stop the suffering of neuroblastoma children around the world.

Links: