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Welcome to Help a Child Smile

For a child with cancer... every day matters

Since 1987, Help A Child Smile has been dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to children treated for cancer at McMaster Children’s Hospital. What began as a single trip to Canada’s Wonderland to lift spirits during a difficult time has grown into a wide range of programs and supports that make a real difference in the lives of cancer kids and their families. From hosting regular events and teen group activities to providing free hospital parking during treatment, essential comfort kits (“hack packs”), gifts for the ward, and more, we are committed to easing the burden of childhood cancer and creating moments of happiness when they are needed most.

An organization focused on children with cancer treated at the Children’s Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation by providing opportunities for them and their families to smile and have fun.

Helping Families

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For Our Families

Families having outdoor fun together, catching fish, eating pizza and ice cream – what more could you ask for!

How Your Donations

Help Our Families

Help A Child Smile provided vital support to families through various programs and initiatives last year. We invested $44,000 in family events, $36,000 to cover hospital parking costs, and $6,450 to support families with fertility clinic expenses. an additional $9,000 was used for Welcome Packs with gas cards to ease transportation costs, while $7,500 was allocated to the Sandra Allen Memorial Education Awards. We also responded to hospital requests with $700 in support, and dedicated $1,000 to programs for teens. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting our Help A Child Smile families.