Table of Contents
Take time to stop and smell the flowers
Wildflowers will always remind me of Harley. Although they grow in difficult terrain, beauty still comes through.
How often do we pause to appreciate life’s small, beautiful moments? For families at Canuck Place, these moments are everything—especially when time is limited.
Aishalyn and Sebastian Sayer-Czarkowski were introduced to Canuck Place in 2021 after their newborn son, Zade, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Just a week old, Zade spent two weeks in the NICU before moving to Canuck Place for end-of-life care. At the same time, their daughter Harley was undergoing chemotherapy for Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma at BC Children’s Hospital.
Despite the unimaginable circumstances, Canuck Place became a sanctuary. The family of five—Aishalyn, Sebastian, Harley, Levi, and baby Zade—shared precious time together in the hospice garden. Surrounded by blossoms, they cuddled Zade and captured their final moments with him in photographs. Zade took his last breath in their arms, wrapped in love. The photos proved to be so precious and important to the family, not knowing that a year later Harley would succumb to cancer and take her last breath.
Spirited and full of life, Harley had always loved flowers—especially wildflowers. “She would always stop and smell the flowers,” Aishalyn recalls. “Wildflowers will always remind me of Harley. Although they grow in difficult terrain, beauty still comes through.”
In summer 2022, one year after Baby Zade died, the family returned to Canuck Place for medical respite care when Harley’s cancer had relapsed. With medical needs handled by expert clinicians, they focused on making memories: music therapy, crafts, outings, and of course, time in the garden.
“Canuck Place allowed us to muffle the outside noise and focus on what matters—our loved ones,” Aishalyn shares. In October 2022, Harley passed away peacefully at home. Canuck Place nurses supported the family, ensuring Harley was comfortable in her final days. She died as she lived—wild, free, and fiercely independent.
Through profound loss, the Sayer-Czarkowski family learned to cherish the present. “Having loved and lost Harley and Zade taught me to not take anything in life for granted,” says Aishalyn. Even in the face of grief, there is beauty in the smallest moments. A child’s laughter, a shared cuddle, the scent of wildflowers—these are the memories that endure. And sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can do is simply stop and smell the flowers.
A legacy that lasts a lifetime
Remembering Canuck Place in your will is an act that is generous, meaningful, and surprisingly simple. To learn more, send an email to Becky Sczebel or call 778-735-1360.
“My legacy to the community is a commitment. That every child in the future will be cared for. Children are our future foundation.”
Canuck Place Legacy Circle Member and past Board Member
30 years of care
This year, Canuck Place celebrates 30 years of compassionate care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. This milestone honors the vision of founder Brenda Eng, who worked as a pediatric oncology nurse at BC Children’s Hospital in the early 1990s. Witnessing the suffering of terminally ill children, Brenda envisioned a better way to live while dying—one that preserved hope and dignity. Her dream led to the creation of North America’s first free-standing children’s hospice.
Brenda joined forces with Lois Youngson, a dedicated Canadian Cancer Society volunteer and founder of Camp Goodtimes, and Betty Davies, a nursing professor who studied bereaved siblings. Together, they formed HUGS (Human Understanding, Growth and Sharing) Children’s Hospice Society to champion pediatric palliative care. Their mission gained momentum with the help of ad agency executive, George Jarvis and Glen Ringdal, public relations director for the Vancouver Canucks, whose support was instrumental in transforming the historic Glen Brae Manor into Canuck Place.
Brenda believed in holistic care—combining medical support with music, play, pet therapy, and family-centered services in a home-like setting. Her philosophy emphasized relationships as a source of healing. Reflecting on three decades of service, Brenda credits the community and volunteers as the heart of Canuck Place. Her enduring message remains: “We are on this planet to walk each other home.” Her legacy continues to inspire a model of care rooted in kindness, humanity, and hope.
Widening our Legacy Circle
On May 22, a warm crowd of generous Canuck Place supporters gathered in the garden at Canuck Place Vancouver – Glen Brae Manor for our annual Legacy Tea, saluting 30 years of support across BC and the Yukon. Canuck Place staff, founders, past and present board members and special guests who have included Canuck Place in their estate plans, joined together for an afternoon of tea and sunshine.
Jennifer Polci, our Chief Development Officer, noted in her remarks, “With you, Canuck Place is a beacon of hope. And I am confident that together, we will continue to serve vulnerable families well into the future. We are so grateful to all of you!”
Each of us is connected by a common thread—a love for children and families, and a deep desire to support them on their often challenging journeys. Special tribute was paid to Chin Mei Ng, who volunteered in the kitchen at Glen Brae each Friday for many years before leaving $1.66 million to Canuck Place in her Will. This kind of legacy giving ensures our programs will continue nurturing our province’s most vulnerable families for decades to come.
A sweet visit from the Abbotsford Canucks
This spring, the Abbotsford Canucks brought joy to Canuck Place Abbotsford – Dave Lede House with a fun cookie decorating afternoon for children and families.
During the Milk & Cookies for Canuck Place fundraiser, presented by BC Dairy, team captain Chase Wouters and players Cole McWard and Nikita Tolopilo joined in the cookie decorating fun, helping kids craft sweet creations. The Abbotsford Canucks also donated proceeds from the Milk & Cookies combo at the Abbotsford Centre supporting Canuck Place care, with BC Dairy matching donations up to $30,000.
We’re deeply grateful to the Abbotsford Canucks for their continued support and for creating joyful memories through cookies, kindness, and connection.
Cycling for Canuck Place
Canuck Place mom, Mireille Larosa, recently decided she was going to take up cycling. Within two years, she went from not knowing how to ride a bike at all, to cycling through the Swiss Alps. This fall, she will embark on her most ambitious journey yet. A two-week cycling adventure across BC, that she is calling
Tour de Canuck Place.
Beginning at Canuck Place Vancouver—Glen Brae Manor, where her son Charles passed away, Mireille will complete her ride at Dave Lede House in Abbotsford, symbolically connecting the Canuck Place community across the province.
For Mireille, this ride is about honouring Charles’ legacy and raising funds for Canuck Place, to help other families receive essential pediatric palliative care.
Tour de Canuck Place will begin September 1—get ready to Cheer Mireille on!
Summer BBQ with SpongeBob!
Aaaaaaare you ready, kids? For one salty, sunny day this summer, Canuck Place families got to “live in a pineapple under the sea!”
Canuck Place’s annual Summer BBQ took over the garden at the Vancouver hospice on June 22 with a SpongeBob SquarePants theme. Children and families of Canuck Place had all kinds of tropical fun exploring the treasures of the gardens, including a dunk tank, fishing hole, treats, crafts, and games.
Families dove into a fun-filled day and created unforgettable undersea moments to share and remember in the photo booth.
Teeing up for Canuck Place child, Dylan Oser
The second golf event in honour of Canuck Place child, Dylan Oser, will take place at Morgan Creek Golf Course on July 8.
Dylan was born on October 1, 1996 and passed away on February 20, 2006. While Dylan’s first year was extremely difficult as a result of the symptoms of Canavan’s Disease, the remainder of his life was happy, comfortable, and content.
“We have been blessed with Dylan’s life and legacy. While we raise awareness about genetic neurological diseases, we also ask that you give generously to charities like Canuck Place, which provides support, respite, and relief care for families with children with life-threatening conditions in BC,” says Kevin Oser, Dylan’s Dad.
Summer sweets that give back
From June 21–September 21, when you indulge in a sweet treat at participating local ice creameries, sweets shops, and bakeries, they will donate partial proceeds to Canuck Place.
When you slurp in the sun with Canuck Place’s Sugar & Sunshine, you support over 946 seriously-ill children and families at Canuck Place who cherish every sunny day together.
Join us in making an impact. When time is short and love runs deep, every moment matters. So, enjoy a tasty delight, spread the joy, and help create sweet and lasting memories for Canuck Place families this summer.
Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration Publish Guide
The Global Handbook of Children’s Palliative Care is now available, featuring contributions from Canuck Place’s own nurse practitioners, Camara van Breemen and Rachel Neufeld; nurse, Melanie Hameluck; and physicians, Dr. Natasha Datoo and Dr. Peter Louie.
Created in response to requests from healthcare professionals connected to the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration Foundation, this resource supports those with basic palliative care training who are caring for children with serious illnesses.
Giving back could mean winning big
The Spring 50/50 was another big success! Thanks to ticket purchasers, the jackpot was a whopping $446,235. Half of the jackpot went to D. Hilton of Kamloops and the other half supports expert pediatric palliative care at Canuck Place.
Stay tuned for the Fall, where 50/50 will be back with a twist—a jackpot and prize raffle with our biggest selection of prizes yet!