Happy New Year from The James Fund!
2008 was a remarkable year of growth for The James Fund. Together with our supporters, we raised over $1.2M from James Fund donors, events and family fundraising.
As well, researchers at the James Birrell Laboratories at SickKids have:
· Received an additional $1.5M in funding from outside agencies, leveraged from projects initiated by $30,000 James Fund seed grants
· Taken the top neuroblastoma research award in the world
· Performed innovative and novel research projects in 6 countries
· Lectured to, and trained, research groups globally
· Published 5 more papers in leading scientific journals worldwide (total now at 25)
· Been appointed to 6 committees to neuroblastoma research and treatment
· Collaborated with researchers studying brain tumors and leukemia
· Started a clinical program at SickKids
· Begun one clinical trial, with another opening in 2009.
We are truly grateful to each of you who have supported our cause and become part of our story. You have done some excellent work, and provided an immeasurable amount of hope to families fighting neuroblastoma.
Most sincerely,
Thank you!
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Read our James Fund Research Report for 2008 (released November 17, 2008)
Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual James Fund Neuroblastoma Family Retreat
September 25-27, 2009.
Upcoming Fundraising Events for
The James Fund |
Icewave Volleyball Tournament
Jan/Feb, 2009 (Yes, it's indoors!)
Toronto, On |
Family Day Skate
February 16, 2009
The Sports Village in Vaughan, On. In support of Kyle's Fight. |
Icewave Peel
February 28, 2009 (indoors)
Victory Volleyball Academy, Mississauga, On |
California Wine Fair
April 6, 2009
at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, On
A sumptuous wine tasting, with the silent auction to benefit The James Fund
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Heatwave Durham
June 13, 2009
Beach volleyball at Canlan Ice Sports, Oshawa, On |
Heatwave York
June 20, 2009
Outdoor volleyball at The Sports Village, Vaughan, On |
James Fund Golf Classic
July 6, 2009
At Kawartha Golf & Country Club in Peterborough, On. Hosted by Michael Burgess. Proceeds to support the James Fund Neuroblastoma Family Retreat. Details to come. |
Heatwave Toronto (the big one!)
July 11 & 12, 2009
Toronto's largest beach volleyball tournament, Ashbridges Bay, Toronto, On |
The James Birrell Laboratories
at SickKids
James used to say, "I will always be fighting cancer," and never have his words been so true. In memory of our little James, on November 13, 2007, SickKids named its neuroblastoma research facility the James Birrell Laboratories. Read more ...
CONGRATULATIONS!!
to James Fund researchers who received Best Paper Award at the Advances in Neuroblastoma Research 2008 Meeting in Chiba, Japan. The award was in recognition of Dr. David Kaplan's neuroblastoma cancer stem cell drug discovery project (Kristen Smith's and Loen Hansford's work at SickKids.) |
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Barbara's Butterflies
The Pagliuso family started Barbara’s Butterflies to raise funds to find a cure for neuroblastoma, and to raise awareness. In 3 short weeks they raised $7,000 for The James Fund and are planning future events.
Web site coming soon. |
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Matthew Hower Fundraising
Matthew's supporters in Winnipeg are going gangbusters with various fundraising, like their Prairie Social, Manitoba Marathon and special help from friends at St. Ignatius School. Together they have raised over $75,000 in Matthew's name.
Follow the Hower's story
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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
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Sydney and Georgia HOPE Fund
Sydney is raising money to find a cure for her little sister Georgia who has neuroblastoma. Sydney and her Mom are making bracelets together, which have already raised over $20,000 for The James Fund. We are also proud to congratulate Sydney for winning the 2006 Spirit Award at SickKids. PS to Sydney ... Tom Hanks is wearing one of your bracelets, and so is Mike Fisher, Michael Burgess and some of the NHL Oldtimers!
Read Georgia's Blog |
Other Neuroblastoma Fundraising Events
Aidan's Quest Fund
Mitchell Fraser Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament
Sunday in the Park with Lilah
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Elegant Vending ... Indeed!
Green Wood Gems Inc. makes beautifully-crafted, wooden gumball machines and gives a portion of sales to The James Fund. Watch your gumball gracefully wind its way down a wooden track and hop down a xylophone. These machines are a fascination for "kids" of all ages.
Green Wood Gems is currently looking for locations across Canada to host new machines.
If you would like to host one of these popular attractions at your store, restaurant or recreational facility, visit www.vendingmachinecharity.com. |
"House in Heaven" print music is now available. Composed by Grammy Award winner Paul Halley, this beautiful music was inspired by words James whispered to his mother: "Jesus is building me a house in heaven."
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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:
Solving Kids Cancer |
The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research
at SickKids
Honorary Patron Tom Hanks
Holiday Auction
December 13, 2008
A jewelry auction in Guelph, On
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 |
