New Memories and Nicknames
Mar 31, 2026
Shehryar – known as “Sherry” to his students and campers – never grew up going to camp. A part-time teacher who loves working with kids, Shehryar first heard about Campfire Circle through his friend Imo, a former camper who is now an in-hospital program staff member. This recommendation turned into something very meaningful. Like many […]...Learn More
Sporting Life 10K 2026...
Mar 17, 2026
A Faster, Refreshed 2026 Sporting Life 10K As Toronto prepares for the FIFA World Cup, the Sporting Life 10K is taking the opportunity to introduce a new start line, a new downtown finish line, and an exciting new post-run celebration area. The updated route preserves the event’s tradition of a fast, downhill course, and now […]...Learn More
Bringing Childhood to the...
Mar 13, 2026
A hospital stay can turn a child’s world upside down. Medical procedures, scary diagnoses, and long days away from school and friends can leave children feeling anxious, isolated, and overwhelmed. At paediatric hospitals across Ontario, Child Life Specialists work closely with medical care teams to support children and their emotional safety. “We focus on helping […]...Learn More
Turning Kilometres into Community
Mar 10, 2026
For Andrew, running started as a hobby, just a few kilometres here and there. Today, it’s his way of giving back. More than a decade ago, he joined the TELUS team for the Sporting Life 10K. After five consecutive years, he stepped up as team captain, turning his passion for running into a powerful fundraising […]...Learn More
Running for Radda: A...
Mar 09, 2026
Radda first met Campfire Circle in a hospital room at SickKids. At age nine, Radda relapsed, having first been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a common type of childhood cancer, in Bangkok, Thailand, when she was almost three years old. “When she was at SickKids, we were there for months and Campfire Circle would […]...Learn More
Learnings from the Canadian...
Mar 02, 2026
Campfire Circle was proud to host the Canadian Medical Camps Summit at our office in Toronto, a national gathering of camp leaders working toward a common goal: ensuring children and youth with serious illness experience joy, connection, and belonging through camp. Over two days, the collaborative sessions reinforced what Campfire Circle sees every day in […]...Learn More
Black History Month Reflections...
Feb 18, 2026
Black History Month offers an opportunity to honour the resilience, leadership, and lived experiences of Black people and their communities. Judy Grandison is a longtime community advocate and mother whose son lives with sickle cell disease — a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black communities. Despite being one of the most common genetic conditions […]...Learn More
From Camper to Nurse...
Feb 03, 2026
Maram Muktar always knew she wanted to give back to the place that brought her so much happiness when she was going through cancer treatment. Maram was five years old when she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare, aggressive type of cancer that grows in soft tissues around bone. In 2010, Maram went to Campfire Circle Muskoka for the first time. […]...Learn More
Volunteers – What Keeps...
Jan 29, 2026
At Campfire Circle, our incredible volunteers make the camp experience truly one-of-a-kind – and we wouldn’t be able to serve hundreds of kids and families without them. Volunteering for a new organization can feel a little nerve-racking, but many of our familiar faces keep coming back year after year. We asked them: “Why do you […]...Learn More
Rainbow Lake Family Camp
Dec 19, 2025
Why Family Camp Matters When a child is diagnosed with cancer or a serious illness, life changes overnight. Hospital visits, treatment schedules, fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion quickly become part of a family’s daily rhythm. Moments of rest – true rest – can feel impossible. That’s why places like Rainbow Lake matter so deeply. For Mikelle […]...Learn More
LCBO Holiday Campaign Brings...
Dec 16, 2025
This holiday season, LCBO customers across Ontario can give the gift of joy and connection to kids who need it most. Campfire Circle is proud to once again be an LCBO beneficiary during the 2025 ’Tis the Season of Giving fundraising campaign, running from November 28 to December 31 in store. At checkout, LCBO customers […]...Learn More
Finding Friendship at Camp
Dec 09, 2025
When Ben was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma at four and a half, arts and crafts with Campfire Circle quickly became his source of comfort. “When he was in the clinic, it was arts and crafts. When he was admitted, it was more arts and crafts,” says his mom, Amber. Through long days of treatment […]...Learn More
Bonfire Bash Raises $2.6...
Nov 14, 2025
On November 5, 2025, our community came together for a sold-out event. More than 800 guests filled the Automotive Building at Toronto’s Exhibition Place for our Bonfire Bash Gala, presented by GFL Environmental Inc. It was an unforgettable celebration of generosity and connection – raising over $2.6 million to help kids with cancer or serious […]...Learn More
Finding Light in the...
Nov 13, 2025
Just before the holidays, Filomena and Natalie were preparing for a season of celebration. The tree was decorated, gifts were wrapped, and their home was filled with anticipation. But as the days passed, worry began to replace excitement. Their three-year-old son, Carter, had a fever that wouldn’t go away. On the morning of December 23, […]...Learn More
Giving Back to Camp
Nov 10, 2025
For Angelina, Campfire Circle is more than just a summer tradition—it’s a place of belonging, growth, and unforgettable experiences. She first attended camp at 10 years old as a bereaved sibling, and like many first-time campers, Angelina felt a mix of nerves and excitement when she arrived. But a welcoming counsellor quickly eased her fears. […]...Learn More
Bid on a Canadian...
Nov 03, 2025
What if a single paddle could change a child’s life? That’s the spirit behind Campfire Circle’s Paddle Project, where more than 100 Canadian artists, athletes, and creators transform canoe paddles into stunning works of art – all to help kids with cancer or serious illness rediscover the joy of being kids. Presented by BMO, this […]...Learn More
Finding His Place at...
Oct 21, 2025
When Ollie was seven years old, his world changed in an instant. In November 2019, he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK positive) – a rare and aggressive form of cancer. After two rounds of chemotherapy, the cancer relapsed in his central nervous system, and Ollie lost his sight permanently. “Those were terrifying […]...Learn More
Emmanuelle Gattuso Makes a...
Oct 17, 2025
Philanthropist Emmanuelle Gattuso has made a milestone $20 million donation to Campfire Circle to fuel our bold vision to grow from serving 3,000 kids a year to 10,000 by 2030, by expanding our in-hospital programming and building a new medical camp in Prince Edward County. Emmanuelle Gattuso is one of Canada’s most dedicated philanthropists, known […]...Learn More
Thank you, Dr. Sarah,...
Oct 09, 2025
We’re extremely grateful to Dr. Sarah Alexander for her years of service as Campfire Circle’s Medical Director and Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee. As the Clinical Director, Division of Haematology/Oncology at SickKids, Dr. Sarah first joined Campfire Circle (then Camp Ooch) in 2014 as a summer camp doctor and was appointed to our Board […]...Learn More
Baby Olympics
Sep 23, 2025
At Campfire Circle, we believe that every child – no matter their medical circumstances –deserves the chance to play, grow, and feel like a kid. This past summer, our team brought that philosophy to 4D, the cardiology unit at SickKids, where seven children were supported by Berlin Hearts, a type of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) […]...Learn More
Priscilla’s Gift to Campfire...
Sep 12, 2025
For Priscilla Wright, music has been a constant thread woven throughout her life. Growing up with a father who was a choral director and music educator, she learned early on how music can bring people together. “My father could take a classroom of kids and, within 20 minutes, have them singing in four-part harmony,” she […]...Learn More
Sickle Cell Awareness Month:...
Sep 10, 2025
During Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, we recognize the many campers we serve living with sickle cell disease – a condition that affects red blood cells and often leads to painful episodes, fatigue, and serious health complications. For kids, these challenges can feel especially isolating. “Camp is so important for kids, in particular with […]...Learn More
Finding Joy and Belonging:...
Sep 09, 2025
Every September, we shine a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and recognize the thousands of kids and families we serve across our programs. While cancer brings long hospital stays and arduous treatments, Campfire Circle provides opportunities for kids to take back their childhood, build self-confidence, and create long-lasting friendships. “At Campfire Circle, if you […]...Learn More
Leaving a Legacy of...
Sep 05, 2025
When Michael Beerden reflects on his life, it’s filled with stories of resilience, compassion, and quiet heroism – qualities that have shaped his decision to leave a legacy gift to Campfire Circle in his will. A retired nurse with a long career in trauma and neurosurgery, Michael knows firsthand the impact illness has on families. […]...Learn More
From Camper Parent to...
Aug 22, 2025
When Traci first arrived at Campfire Circle (then Camp Trillium) with her family in 2012, she didn’t know how much they needed it. Now, more than a decade later, she returns not as a camper parent, but as a volunteer – eager to give back to the community that gave her family comfort during their […]...Learn More
Stu and Kim Lang...
Aug 14, 2025
Philanthropists Stu and Kim Lang have made a landmark $15 million donation to Campfire Circle, a charity that delivers year-round, play-based programs to children with serious illness. This transformative gift – the largest individual donation in the organization’s history – will help fund the expansion of in-hospital programs across Ontario and the creation of a […]...Learn More
Bringing Camp to Dialysis
Aug 05, 2025
For most kids, sitting still for more than a few minutes can feel impossible. For kids on dialysis – whose kidneys aren’t working and who need to spend hours connected to machines several times a week – it’s even more difficult. That’s where Campfire Circle comes in. We provide hands-on programming that helps transform long, […]...Learn More
Finding Freedom, Friendship &...
Jul 31, 2025
As we gear up for R4//Campfire Circle, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible riders who make this journey so special. Meet Elise – a long-time rider, leadership committee member, and team captain of KindHuman. Since joining the R4//Campfire Circle community in 2022 Elise has been a passionate force on and […]...Learn More
Emerson Gets to Experience...
Jul 14, 2025
At 10 years old, Emerson knows what it means to live a different kind of normal. But this August, he’s doing something wonderfully ordinary: heading to overnight camp, just like any other kid. Emerson was born prematurely with his identical twin brother, Winston, at just 29 weeks. From the start, he faced serious medical challenges. […]...Learn More
Creating a More Inclusive...
Jun 17, 2025
At Campfire Circle, we believe every camper deserves to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Before every summer, we host our Campfire Conference where volunteers, staff, and community members gather for a full day of professional development sessions, connection, and fun. From deepening our understanding of our Indigenous history to learning strategies to […]...Learn More
