Message from the Board of Directors

A childhood cancer diagnosis brings pain, hospital visits, and sacrifice. Help a Child Smile exists to bring joy to these children and support their families. 

Now in its fourthdecade, we have served thousands of families with children treated at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Run entirely by volunteers, we receive no government funding or corporate sponsorships. Nearly every dollar raised, directly funds programs and events for our families. Many of our board members have personally faced childhood cancer, ensuring compassion and understanding guide our work.

Our mission is simple: to bring smiles and joy to children with cancer.

Thank you for your support!

Board of Directors

Amy Marshall

Chair

Ramona Durkin

Treasurer

Bertha Bertrand

Director – Family Events

Peggy Charron

Secretary

Chris McCullough

Board Member

Donna Woodruff

Board Member

Rehanna Bachan and Nick Ferreira

Director – Fundraising and Director

Programs & Supports

Paid Hospital Parking

Help A Child Smile covers the cost of hospital parking for families throughout a child’s cancer treatment, removing a major financial burden during an incredibly difficult time. This vital support costs approximately $40,000 each year and is made possible through generous donations.

Family Events & Activities

Help A Child Smile organizes fun, stress-free events and activities that are completely free to families for the first six years of a child’s cancer journey. After six years, a small fee may apply to some events, helping us continue offering joyful experiences to new families.

Fertility Banking

Help A Child Smile helps cover the cost of fertility preservation for children and teens undergoing cancer treatment, ensuring they have the chance to build a family in the future. This support is provided when recommended by their medical team and helps ease both the emotional and financial stress of long-term treatment impacts.

HACS Packs

We provide HACS knapsacks filled with essentials and comfort items to support children and caregivers during unexpected hospital admissions. Each pack also includes a gas card to help families with the cost of travel during this challenging time.
Sandra Allen Memorial Education Award Help A Child Smile Hamilton

Sandra Allen Memorial Education Awards

The Sandra Allen
Memorial Education Awards, generously sponsored by CanJam for Kids with Cancer, provide three $2,500 awards each year to Help A Child Smile families. Open to member children or their siblings, these awards help ease the financial burden of post-secondary education, a challenge many families face due to lost income during a child’s illness. Named in honour of longtime board chair Sandra Allen, whose leadership was instrumental in growing HACS, the awards continue her legacy of compassion and support.

Annual Reports