Page 24 - Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre Annual Report 2023 to 2024

FUNDRAISINGFundraising Events
Meagan’s HUG (Meagan Bebenek Foundation):
raises hope and awareness about paediatric
brain tumours and has now contributed more
than $6 million to research. The organization
operates throughout the calendar year
and includes a robust school program,
involvement in patient advocacy events, and
community events supporting its mission.
alone. Participants include families affected
by a brain tumour diagnosis, as well as
corporate and school teams, and a large
number of health care and brain tumour
research professionals. Embracing the BTRC
“bench to bedside’ philosophy, Meagan’s
HUG harnesses the power of a diverse
community and improves the outcomes for
young patients.
A community-based and volunteer-driven
organization, it is well known for its Meagan’s
HUG event on Mother’s Day weekend,
beginning with a 5K walk and ending with
participants joining hands and forming a
hug or “circle of hope” around the hospital,
a clear signal to all within that they are not
Meagan’s HUG funds support seed research
projects, the purchase of cutting-edge
equipment and the ongoing funding of the
Toronto Brain Tumour Network tissue bank.
The Meagan’s Walk Fellowship, now in its
eighth year, supports clinical researchers
Dr. Peter Dirks speaking at Meagan’s HUG
who come to Toronto from around the world,
sharing knowledge and further improving the
global understanding of how brain tumours
work and how to more effectively treat young
patients.
Nelina’s Hope: A Foundation supporting
paediatric brain cancer research for rare,
difficult-to-treat brain tumours. Creating hope
for tomorrow. Born on October 31, 2009,
Nelina was your typical 4-year-old girl. She
loved the outdoors, swimming, jumping in
puddles and running through the sprinkler
on a hot summer day. All that changed on
24
IMAGINE 2023-24