Hayden’s Hope seeks donations for childhood cancer awareness month

MOUNT FOREST – Every year in Canada, about 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Hayden’s Hope Foundation is sharing information about childhood cancer and asking for community donations for research and support for families. 

More than 86 per cent of children are still alive five years after their cancer diagnoses – a survival rate the Public Health Agency of Canada says is expected to improve with new and better treatments. 

“That number matters,” states Lindsay Foulon in a social media post sharing Hayden’s Hope’s fundraising campaign. 

“It tells us that research works. Treatments improve. Progress happens. 

“And it gives us every reason to keep going.” 

Foulon’s daughter, Hayden Foulon, died in 2019 at age seven, after a nearly six-year battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

On the Hayden’s Hope website, Hayden is described as a child who was “easy to love, kind to her core and someone who refused to quit.” 

“She loved belting out the Beatles or Moana with the windows down while driving with mommy and had the best belly laugh this world has ever heard,” the website continues. 

“We had every reason to believe that Hayden was going to beat her cancer,” Foulon states in the post. 

“We believed she was going to grow up and that cancer would eventually just be something she had once. 

“Unfortunately, her cancer had other plans.” 

After losing Hayden, Foulon  wanted to do something meaningful with all the love she had for her daughter. 

So she created Hayden’s Hope, a non-profit that “helps children and families facing childhood cancer and other incredibly difficult circumstances. 

“We help with financial burdens, provide support, help families make memories and step in wherever we can when a family needs us.” 

Hayden’s Hope also raises money for cancer research, “because 86% is amazing progress. But we want it to be 100%.

“We want better treatments. We want treatments with fewer lifelong effects. We want more options when the first treatment doesn’t work. And ultimately, we want a cure.” 

Foulon said she truly believes that she will see that cure in her lifetime. 

“None of what Hayden’s Hope does would be possible without the people and businesses of Mount Forest and our surrounding communities who continue to show up for us year after year,” Foulon continues. 

Foulon was born and raised in Mount Forest and works as a medical secretary with the Mount Forest Family Health Team. 

“During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, if you’re looking for a local non-profit to support, donate to, sponsor, fundraise for or partner with, we hope you’ll consider Hayden’s Hope,” she stated. 

“When you support Hayden’s Hope, you’re helping us support families who need it today while also helping fund the research that could change tomorrow.”  

For more info: haydenshopefoundation.com.