When Helena was just three years old, she endured 841 days of chemotherapy and 650 procedures to beat Leukemia. It was during her journey that she learned about inequitable access to childhood cancer treatment in Canada, and how a tragic number of kids are dying as a result.
In 2018 she founded Helena’s Hope, an advocacy group with a mission to create a National Childhood Cancer Strategy, systems changes and research funding. She managed to rally over 150 families dealing with childhood cancer across the country, and received signatures from over 30 cancer organizations and 30 pediatric oncologists for a budget proposal. As a result, the Liberal government recently committed $30 million in funding for childhood cancer research.
"I want Canadian kids to have the best chance at survival. We are focused on getting the first ever National Childhood Cancer strategy and in systems changes to ensure fast, fair and safe access to trials and treatments no matter where a child with cancer lives in Canada or how much money their family has. I want more kids to survive cancer like I did."
Helena was the 2017 Children's Miracle Network Champion and the 2019 Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipient and recognized twice in the House of Commons in Ontario.
Thank you to the OCNA for the above bio.