Annual Walk for Chiari in support of young boy set to return next weekend
The Donkin family is putting the final preparations in place for the return of an annual Walk for Chiari, a charity walk meant to benefit young Mason Donkin.
The Walk for Chiari has been paused since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was started by Mason's mother, Jennifer, after her son was diagnosed with a rare brain condition to raise funds and awareness for the disease.
"When we first got the diagnosis for Mason in 2017, because Chiari is so uncommon, I thought how could we improve this," says Jennifer. "Mason went so many years without being diagnosed, which is hard for a family to not get the answers to help support him. So right away, I got on board with trying to do these fundraisers."
The goal is to raise funds for Sick Kids Hospital, where Mason has been receiving care for the last number of years.
"Getting the diagnosis of Chiari for Mason was a huge eye-opener because as an infant he struggled with so many different challenges daily whether it was GI-related, bladder related, balance, headaches, fatigue, nausea and we just weren't sure what was causing that."
They want to create a research centre for Chiari, which would be the first of its kind in Canada.
"My wife said we have to give back, and I'm like yes, we have to give back, and let's give back," says Mason's dad Frank. "So our way of giving back is supporting Sick Kids; supporting Sick Kids under Mase, but it's still supporting Sick Kids; an amazing hospital, amazing staff. I can't say enough about them down there."
The walk is set to return next Saturday, July 23. In addition to the 1-kilometre walk, the day will include a host of activities for the whole family, including face painting, games, raffles, a silent auction and a BBQ.
Not only has the event helped the family bring in much-needed funds, but it's helped them connect with their community.
"It's really cool because you see that there are a lot of people there to represent you and help you and people like you with special conditions like you and it's really exciting because when you go there, you see so many people in your honour it's just really amazing," says Mason.
They are inching closer to their $50,000 goal, a contribution to Sick Kids Hospital that will get Mason his own plaque on the building. Since he considers it his second home, it's something that the family is looking forward to receiving.
"They are just really amazing, and the stuff that they do for their patients is really cool, and I like to thank them for that," says Mason.
For more information on the walk, you can click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.